International Speedway Corporation Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2012

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- International Speedway Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: ISCA; OTC Bulletin Board: ISCB) ("ISC") today reported financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended February 29, 2012.

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"It was a historic quarter for ISC," stated ISC Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy.  "The DAYTONA 500 for the first time in its 54-year history was run at night during prime time after being postponed due to weather.  We witnessed a passionate and enthusiastic crowd return in mass for the must-see Monday night event.  'The Great American Race' also became the most-watched NASCAR broadcast ever for FOX with over 36 million people seeing a portion of the race; a tremendous achievement on a tough night of entertainment. 

"Additionally during the quarter, we celebrated the grand opening of our first venture to monetize ISC's real estate holdings with our Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.  The combination of a world-class sports facility with the premier Hollywood-branded casino has set a new standard in gaming entertainment excellence and will create value for our shareholders.  We are optimistic that we can achieve this type of success with other long-term ancillary real estate development opportunities at certain of our other motorsports facilities. 

"While year-over-year comparison for the quarter was impacted by Phoenix International Raceway's spring  NASCAR race weekend being moved from the 2011 fiscal first quarter  into the Company's 2012 fiscal second quarter, we were pleased with our first quarter results.  The economy is moving in the right direction and with further improvements in consumer confidence we expect to benefit from the consumers' eventual renewed faith in the economy." 

First Quarter Comparison

Total revenues for the first quarter ended February 29, 2012 was approximately $127.4 million, compared to revenues of approximately $148.7 million in the prior-year period.  Operating income was approximately $29.7 million during the period compared to approximately $39.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.  In addition to the macroeconomic challenges, quarter-over-quarter comparability was impacted by:

• The spring NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series events at Phoenix were held in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.  The corresponding events were held in the second quarter of fiscal 2012.  In addition, Phoenix held a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.  The corresponding event will be held in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.
  
  
• The Company expects to earn an immaterial amount of ancillary revenue for the year.
  
  
• During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company expensed approximately $0.7 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, of certain ongoing carrying costs related to its Staten Island property.  Similar costs had previously been capitalized.    
  
  
• In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company recognized nominal non-cash impairments of long-lived assets primarily attributable to the removal of certain assets.  During the three months ended February 28, 2011, the Company recognized non-cash impairments of long-lived assets totaling approximately $2.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.
  
  
• During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company recognized a $0.3 million charge for equity in net loss from equity investments related to certain start up costs through the opening and net of results of operations beginning in February 2012, associated with its Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway. 
  
  
• During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company recorded approximately $0.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, net gain on the sale of certain assets.   

Net income for the first quarter was approximately $17.1 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to net income of approximately $21.4 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, in the prior year period.  Excluding certain carrying costs related to the Staten Island property; impairments of certain other long-lived assets; and the net gain on sale of certain assets, non-GAAP (defined below) net income for the first quarter of 2012 was $17.1 million, or $0.37 per diluted share.  Non-GAAP net income for the fiscal first quarter of 2011 was $23.3 million, or $0.49 per diluted share. 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

The following financial information is presented below using other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("non-GAAP"), and is reconciled to comparable information presented using GAAP.  Non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share below are derived by adjusting amounts determined in accordance with GAAP for certain items presented in the accompanying selected operating statement data, net of taxes.

The adjustments for 2011 relate to the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway — equity in net loss from equity investment and impairments of certain other long-lived assets.

The adjustments for 2012 relate to impairments of certain other long-lived assets, net gain on sale of certain assets and carrying costs related to our Staten Island property.

The Company believes such non-GAAP information is useful and meaningful, and is used by investors to assess its core operations, which consist of the ongoing promotion of racing events at its major motorsports entertainment facilities. Such non-GAAP information adjusts for items that are not considered to be reflective of the Company's continuing core operations at its motorsports entertainment facilities. The Company believes that such non-GAAP information improves the comparability of its operating results and provides a better understanding of the performance of its core operations for the periods presented. The Company uses this non-GAAP information to analyze the current performance and trends and make decisions regarding future ongoing operations. This non-GAAP financial information may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income, net income or diluted earnings per share, which are determined in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered independent of or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses both GAAP and non-GAAP information in evaluating and operating its business and as such deemed it important to provide such information to investors.

From a marketing partnership perspective, ISC's corporate sales team continues to generate strong levels of interest from corporate prospects.  For fiscal 2012, the Company has agreements in place for approximately 86.3 percent of its gross marketing partnership revenue target.  The Company has four of its available 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event entitlements either open or not announced and two of its 15 NASCAR Nationwide Series event entitlements either open or not announced.  This is compared to last year at this time when the Company had approximately 87.0 percent of its gross marketing partnership revenue target sold and had entitlements for five NASCAR Sprint Cup and three NASCAR Nationwide entitlements either open or not announced. 

 "We are seeing solid demand in media sales for our events, resulting in the addition of several first-time advertisers on Motor Racing Network, the nation's largest independent sports radio network," stated Ms. France Kennedy.  "We attribute this demand to corporate marketing partners seeing improving consumer confidence.  Typically, measured media will increase followed by other forms of marketing partnerships.  This affirms our expectation that revenues from our corporate marketing relationships will grow over the long term, contributing to strong earnings and cash flow stability and predictability."

External Growth, Financing-Related and Other Initiatives

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway

The Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, which opened on February 3, 2012, features a 95,000 square-foot casino with 2,000 slot machines and 52 table games, a 1,253 space parking structure as well as a sports-themed bar, dining and entertainment options.  Penn National Gaming, Inc. is responsible for the development and operation of the casino.

The Company estimates that its share of capitalized development costs for the project, excluding its contribution of land, will be approximately $145.0 million, which is below the original estimate of approximately $155.0 million. Through February 29, 2012, the Company has funded approximately $134.3 million of these capitalized development costs. In addition, the Company funded certain working capital needs of the project prior to opening. Start up and related costs through opening were expensed through equity in net loss from equity investments.  Cash flow from the casino's operations will be used, along with equal contributions from each partner as necessary, to fund the remaining capital requirements.  The Company estimates that the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will provide approximately $3.0 million in equity income in fiscal 2012. 

Liquidity

Subsequent to the end of ISC's fiscal 2012 first quarter, the Company completed the redemption of all of its outstanding 5.4 percent Senior Notes due April 2014.  ISC used additional capacity on its line of credit to retire all of the notes, for an aggregate price equal to the $87.0 million outstanding principal amount plus a redemption premium of approximately $9.0 million and accrued interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date.

The net redemption premium, associated unamortized net deferred financing costs, and unamortized original issuance discount totaling approximately $9.1 million, will be recorded as a loss on early redemption of debt in ISC's fiscal 2012 second quarter results.

The Company is monitoring the current interest rate environment to potentially refinance the borrowings of the redeemed notes with lower cost alternatives and extend a significant portion of its near-term debt maturities.

Capital Spending

The Company competes for the consumers' discretionary dollar with many entertainment options such as concerts and other major sporting events, not just other motorsport events. To better meet its customer's expectations, ISC is committed to improving the guest experience at its facilities through on-going capital improvements that position it for long-term growth.

For the three months ended February 29, 2012, the Company spent $12.8 million on capital expenditures for projects at its existing facilities.  In comparison, capital expenditures for the fiscal 2011 first quarter totaled approximately $11.7 million, which included approximately $9.6 million of projects at the Company's existing facilities.  The remaining balance was associated with additional capitalized spending for its Staten Island property.

At February 29, 2012, the Company had approximately $47.2 million remaining in capital projects currently approved for its existing facilities. Certain of these projects include:

• the reconfiguration and road course construction at Kansas;
  
  
• grandstand seating enhancements at Talladega and Watkins Glen;
  
  
• parking improvements at Daytona; and
  
  
• trackside RV development at Michigan.

As a result of these currently approved projects and anticipated additional approvals in fiscal 2012, the Company expects its total fiscal 2012 capital expenditures at its existing facilities will be approximately $80.0 million to $90.0 million depending on the timing of certain projects. The Company reviews the capital expenditure program periodically and modifies it as required to meet current business needs.

Ms. France Kennedy added, "With a strengthening economy, we have a great opportunity to grow our business through improved consumer and corporate spending trends.  In addition, we believe the targeted improvements at our motorsports facilities to enhance the guest experience will further support this growth." 

Share Repurchase Program

During the fiscal 2012 first quarter, the Company purchased 405,538 shares of its Class A stock for approximately $10.3 million, bringing the total number of shares purchased from December 2006 through February 2012 to approximately 7.1 million shares.   ISC currently has approximately $61.7 million in remaining capacity on its $330.0 million authorization. 

Returning capital, through repurchasing shares and an annual dividend payment, is an important component of ISC's long-term capital allocation strategy.  The Company is opportunistically buying shares on the open market and anticipates that it will spend annually between $25 million to $35 million in returning capital to its shareholders.   The Company, on a quarterly basis and pursuant to the trading plan under Rule10b5-1, will review and adjust, if necessary, the parameters of its Stock Purchase Plan.

Outlook

ISC reiterates its 2012 total revenue guidance range of $610.0 million to $630.0 million.  In addition, the Company is maintaining its fiscal 2012 full year non-GAAP earnings range of $1.50 to $1.60 per diluted share after-tax.  From an earnings perspective, the fourth quarter will be the Company's most significant, followed by the second, first and third quarter. 

ISC's 2012 financial guidance excludes any future loss or gain on impairment or disposal of long-lived assets which could be recorded as part of capital improvements resulting in removal of assets not fully depreciated; gain or loss on the sale of its Staten Island property, unanticipated further impairment of the property and the ongoing carrying costs; and the loss on early redemption of debt. 

In closing, Ms. France Kennedy stated, "We are committed to providing a live experience that is aligned with the on-track excitement and allows the fans to further engage in the sport.  We remain confident that by delivering memorable guest experiences along with attractive pricing and fantastic racing, ISC will generate stronger revenues and bottom-line results."

Conference Call Details

The management of ISC will host a conference call today with investors at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  To participate, dial toll free (888) 694-4641 five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time and request to be connected to the ISC earnings call, ID number 65138010. 

A live Webcast will also be available at that time on the Company's Web site, www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com, under the "Investor Relations" section.  A replay will be available two hours after the end of the call through midnight Tuesday, April 17, 2012.  To access, dial (855) 859-2056 and enter the code 65138010, or visit the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's Web site.

International Speedway Corporation is a leading promoter of motorsports activities, currently promoting more than 100 racing events annually as well as numerous other motorsports-related activities.  The Company owns and/or operates 13 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities, including Daytona International Speedway® in Florida (home of the DAYTONA 500®); Talladega Superspeedway® in Alabama; Michigan International Speedway® located outside Detroit; Richmond International Raceway® in Virginia; Auto Club Speedway of Southern California(SM) near Los Angeles; Kansas Speedway® in Kansas City, Kansas; Phoenix International Raceway® in Arizona; Chicagoland Speedway® and Route 66 Raceway(SM) near Chicago, Illinois;  Homestead-Miami Speedway(SM) in Florida; Martinsville Speedway® in Virginia; Darlington Raceway® in South Carolina; and Watkins Glen International® in New York. 

The Company also owns and operates Motor Racing Network, the nation's largest independent sports radio network and Americrown Service Corporation(SM), a subsidiary that provides catering services, food and beverage concessions, and produces and markets motorsports-related merchandise.  In addition, the Company has a 50 percent interest in the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.  For more information, visit the Company's Web site at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com. 

Statements made in this release that express the Company's or management's beliefs or expectations and which are not historical facts or which are applied prospectively are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company's results could be impacted by risk factors, including, but not limited to, weather surrounding racing events, government regulations, economic conditions, consumer and corporate spending, military actions, air travel and national or local catastrophic events. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's SEC filings including, but not limited to, the 10-K and subsequent 10-Qs. Copies of those filings are available from the Company and the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be needed to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by International Speedway or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.   

SOURCE International Speedway Corporation