Breaking: Daytona International Speedway gets new prez in ISC shakeup

There is a new president overseeing Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR's most iconic track.

International Speedway Corporation announced in a press release that Joie Chitwood III has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of ISC, and that he will be replaced by Chip Wile.

Wile, who had been president of Darlington Raceway, now will hold the same title at Daytona International Speedway.

"Chip personifies the ideal track president being someone who values relationship building as the catalyst for collaboration and promotion," said ISC CEO Lesa France Kennedy in a statement. "He not only operates with a fan-first mentality, but is deeply community-focused and a real team player, all of which will serve him well in this new role."

ISC officials had nothing but high praise for the job Chitwood did at Daytona. He took over at the helm of DIS in August 2010.

Chitwood moves into the newly-formed role of COO following oversight of the ISC's $400 million transformation of Daytona into the what it has called "the world's first motorsports stadium", along with the 2010 repave of the 2.5-mile DIS superspeedway. In his new position, Chitwood will oversee ISC enterprise facility operations, along with strengthening key industry initiatives, according to the ISC release.

"Joie has played a tremendous role in the success of our flagship racetrack at Daytona International Speedway since 2010," Kennedy said. "Most recently, his leadership of the Daytona Rising project, while simultaneously operating the facility, has demonstrated his operational acumen."

John Saunders, president of ISC, added of Chitwood: "Joie's promotion is well deserved and reflects his achievements and increased role in the Company's future," said John Saunders, president of ISC. "He brings a distinct passion, creativity, and drive to this new role and we look forward to his contributions."

Meanwhile, Wile steps into his new role as Chitwood's replacment after helping promote one of NASCAR's most successful events of the 2015 season – the Bojangles' Southern 500 that featured a throwback theme that proved popular with fans and competitors alike.

In just two years as president of Darlington, Wile helped revitalize the facility's identity and impact on and off the track. He spearheaded a five-year strategy to reinvent Darlington Raceway with the throwback campaign during NASCAR's return to the track on Labor Day weekend, in addition to re-engaging the local community by having the track begin hosting nearly 15 annual events.

In his new role, Wile will oversee promotion and operation of the new motorsports stadium beginning with its first major event, the Country 500 over Memorial Day weekend, followed by the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola in July.