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North Carolina has lost three NASCAR races and could lose another, raising concerns about the future of an industry that contributes at least $1.5-billion a year to the state's economy.
Gov. Mike Easley recommended Wednesday that the state spend $15-million to support a proposed testing and research complex.
"We must invest now to ensure that this industry keeps its home in North Carolina," Easley wrote in a letter to the co-chairmen of the General Assembly's Joint Select Committee on Economic Growth and Development.
The testing facility would be built in conjunction with UNC-Charlotte and would have a 1.5-mile track, garages and testing equipment. It would cost $50-million or more, said Michael Almond, president of Charlotte Regional Partnership, a nonprofit group that promotes economic development.
The loss of races, and the dollars they generate, has fueled the state's concern. There hasn't been a race since 1996 in North Wilkesboro, the first North Carolina casualty of NASCAR's nationwide growth. Rockingham could be the next victim of the combined forces of a small market and a small seating capacity.
In 1996, six races in NASCAR's top series, now called the Nextel Cup, were held within North Carolina. Next year, there could be two - both at Lowe's Motor Speedway outside Charlotte. The only other race in the Carolinas would be in Darlington, S.C.
"The motorsports industry itself is North Carolina's to lose," state Rep. Karen Ray, R-Mooresville, said.
Team owner Robert Yates said he has received feelers from groups in Florida and Tennessee, asking what it would take to get him to move Robert Yates Racing and his 200 employees and $50-million in spending out of Mooresville. "I don't believe any community could really pull us away from here," he said. "I just wish that we were appreciated for what we do for North Carolina sales tax and employment and people weren't taking so much for granted."
FOYT HIRES DRIVER: A.J. Foyt hired Jeff Simmons to drive in the Infiniti Pro Series Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 22.