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NASCAR BGN: Brant Motorsports President Passes Away

30 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
WELCOME, N.C. -- Ted Brant, president of Brant Motorsports and co-owner with Richard Childress Racing of the No. 21 Rockwell Automation NASCAR Busch Series team, died yesterday of an apparent heart attack.

"This is a sad day for our family, Brant Motorsports, and for the auto racing world," said his brother, Bob Brant. "Ted was a driving force behind our plan to build the world's first full-sized indoor speedway. His love of auto racing lives on through the project, which will continue his legacy when Brant PARC (Pittsburgh Auto Racing Complex) is completed.

Brant, 53, was a resident of Fort Gap, W.Va. He earned an engineering degree from West Virginia University and had more than 20 years of experience in the aviation and commercial real estate industries. He was director and vice chairman of Piedmont Aviation Services from 1992-1998. In addition to serving as the president of Brant Motorsports, he was also chairman and chief executive officer of b-Fast Corporation, an aviation services company based in Newton, Pa.

"Ted was a business partner and close friend, a family man and certainly a true racer," said Richard Childress, president of Richard Childress Racing. "Anyone who met Ted knew of his love for his family and motorsports and we will all certainly miss him. I know I will miss the friend Ted Brant was to me."

Brant Motorsports, based in Morgantown, W.Va., announced the $300 million indoor racing project in April 1999. The arena in Findlay Township, Pa., would have an initial seating capacity of 60,000 and the ability to expand to 120,000. Groundbreaking for the 2.6-million-square-foot facility is expected later this summer, with Brant PARC scheduled to open in 2002.

Prior to teaming up with RCR and driver Mike Dillon for the 2000 season, Brant Motorsports ran a partial season in the 1999 Indy Racing League with drivers Andy Michner and Raul Boesel.

"Ted's vision was to make Brant PARC a reality for millions of auto racing fans," said Brant. "The project will move forward. When we cross the finish line, it's success will be a tribute to Ted's leadership and contributions."

Text provided by David Hart

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.