On Thursday, NASCAR announced that Grant Lynch, the former president and chairman of Talladega Superspeedway, passed away.
Lynch, 71, retired after the 2019 NASCAR season, which marked the Speedway's 50th anniversary, after 26 years with Talladega. He was honored the previous year with the Buddy Shuman Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing the sport of stock car racing.
A native of South Dakota, Lynch oversaw multiple projects to bring more modern touches to the 2.66-mile Alabama racetrack, the last of which was a $50 million transformation of the track’s infield in 2019. The first race for the track’s new amenities was also the 100th for the NASCAR Cup Series. Lynch served as grand marshal and gave the command to start engines.
In announcing his passing, NASCAR stated, “Grant Lynch’s leadership, vision and larger-than-life personality helped make Talladega Superspeedway one of the most iconic and fan-friendly venues in all of motorsports. As the track’s longtime president and later chairman, he guided Talladega through more than two decades of growth and transformation while building lasting relationships with fans, competitors and colleagues across the industry."
"From his time with R.J. Reynolds, Talladega and even into retirement, Grant was not only a trusted leader but also a cherished friend to so many in the NASCAR family," the organization wrote. "NASCAR extends its heartfelt condolences to Grant’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
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