Bruton Smith Boulevard debuts in Concord, N.C.

Just in time for race week, signs identifying the road that leads from I-85's Exit 49 to the Lowe's Motor Speedway entrance are changing from "Speedway Boulevard" to "Bruton Smith Boulevard."

The state Department of Transportation is covering the $15,000 cost of changing signs along Interstate 85 and hopes to finish work before the May 17 NASCAR all-star race at the track.

Concord and Cabarrus County had sought the change last year during efforts to persuade billionaire speedway owner Bruton Smith not to move the track out of Concord. Smith had threatened to do just that last fall after Concord City Council blocked his plans in October to add a drag strip at the speedway complex.

The city quickly reversed itself. Smith landed an $80 million incentives deal, mainly for road improvements and drag strip noise abatement. He will proceed with plans for a $200 million track expansion and will build the $60 million drag strip.

This story was originally published May 3, 2008 at 12:33 AM with the headline "Bruton Smith Boulevard debuts in Concord, N.C.."