Steve Sexton, President of Circuit of The Americas, the Formula One facility being built in Austin, speaks to members of the media following an Austin city council vote on the race track Thursday, June 23, 2011. (Austin American-Statesman/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Steve Sexton, the former Churchill Downs president who served as the first chief executive officer of Circuit of the Americas, has died in north Texas after a brief illness. He was 57.
Sexton came on board with COTA in 2011 as the giant motorsports track in southeast Travis County was being built and departed after the second Formula One U.S. Grand Prix race in late 2013. He served as president and CEO.
“It is with great sorrow that we received the news that Steve passed away,” Circuit of the Americas chairman Bobby Epstein said in a statement to the American-Statesman. “As its first executive, Steve guided the Circuit from concept to reality. Many of Steve’s friends remain COTA employees and proudly continue the legacy of what he helped create.
“Steve will always remain a part of the COTA family, and his contributions will continue to bring treasured moments to everyone who enjoys the fruits of his labor.
Before helping make COTA, the only purpose-build F1 track in the United States, a reality, Sexton gained acclaim for directing Churchill Downs through its largest renovation project.
He was the 12th president of the track that’s home of the Kentucky Derby, overseeing operations from 2002-09. Sexton guided the track through a $120 million upgrade to its facilities.
Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs parent company, praised Sexton’s leadership during “key years of change” for the track and the Kentucky Derby.
Sexton, a Kansas native, was heavily involved in the Louisville community and created the Churchill Music Festivals, which included The Rolling Stones one year.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
