Meet Trey Stafford of Atlanta Motor Speedway

 

1. What is your role at Atlanta Motor Speedway?
My title is Business Development Executive. My role is to search for new corporate partners, as well as fill up our calendar of events and diversify the use of our facility. I look at my role as somewhat of a corporate community outreach, responsible for making sure people are exposed to what we are capable of as a multi-faceted event facility.

2. What does a typical day look like for you?
To be honest, there is not necessarily a “typical” day for me. Every day is different, but each day consists of prospecting new clients, communicating with current partners, and learning as much about the local business landscape as possible.

3. Have you experienced any memorable moments during your time at the speedway?
I have experienced many memorable moments during my time at Speedway Motorsports Inc., but there are a few that stand out. Of note, all of the internship work that I did for Atlanta Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway while I was in school, living in my pop-up camper at Atlanta Motor Speedway during the summer of 2015 because that was the only way I could afford to move here for the summer from Charlotte (I would do it all again, it was well worth it). Speaking in front of 50,000 people at the 2017 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. Being one of the lead contacts for Lee Brice and crew during the 2016 Coca Cola 600 (I was thrust into that role as an intern less than 12 hours prior). My most memorable moments are the lifelong memories that we can create for others through Speedway Motorsports Inc., and that is one of the things that drives me the most.

4. How do you spend your time away from work?
I try to relax. I am still fairly new to the area, so I like to explore, visit landmarks and historic sites, meet new people, go to trade shows and other events that I can look for new partners at, and just soak in all there is to see in GA.

5. Favorite movie that features a driving scene?
I have two, Smokey and the Bandit and Days of Thunder.

6. Imagine you’re going on a long drive, what music are you listening to?
I would say that I would most likely be listening to classic Lynyrd Skynyrd. I am a Die-Hard Skynyrd fan (Pre-Plane crash). I recently visited the site of their first album cover, which is located on Main St. in Jonesboro. They have a lot of history in and around the Atlanta area and actually got their big break by being discovered by Al Kooper at an old club called Funochios, which led to their recording contract with MCA records, and a spot on The Who’s Quadrophenia Tour in 1973.

7. When did you develop an interest in racing?
I developed an interest in racing at a very young age. My family was not into racing, but I remember flipping channels one day when I was four or five, and I landed on a channel featuring a really colorful car. That was Jeff Gordon’s rainbow-colored Chevrolet, and I was hooked. I think the other program that got me interested in racing was Thomas the Tank Engine. I was obsessed with that show at a very young age, and they constantly would talk about speed. My favorite engine was Gordon, and he was known as the fastest engine. I think that once I discovered NASCAR and Jeff Gordon, I naturally transitioned into a race fan.

8. Do you have a favorite driver?
I no longer have a favorite driver (I try to be unbiased now that I am in the industry in a way), but I grew up a die-hard Jeff Gordon fan, and I didn’t miss a race (in person, on tv or on the radio) from 1999-2015 when he retired.

9. What events occur at Atlanta Motor Speedway that people may be surprised to know?
People would be surprised to know that while we do host a NASCAR race, we are a multi-faceted event facility that gets used for many different reasons for the better part of the 52-week calendar year. I think people would be surprised to know that we host Music Festivals, an Air Show, as well as many private corporate events. Being a big member of the corporate event community is where our company as a whole is heading.

10. Do you have any tips for people who are new to the world of racing but would like to attend an event at the speedway?
My biggest tip would be to come in with an open mind and an open heart. Purely from a racing standpoint, the sights, sounds, smells and feels at a racetrack are things that you will never forget. We specialize in creating lifelong memories. I can guarantee that if you give us a chance for any event, we will help create lifelong memories for you and your loved ones.