Full Throttle

Plans for a NASCAR-style race track in Tulare, a project I once called the Turkey in Tulare, are one step closer to reality.

Council members voted 3-2 to approve the $400 million, 711-acre project, which includes a banked D-shaped track and drag strip. It survived criticism that it would draw too much emissions-spewing traffic to the farming community.

Fresno developer Bud Long also plans commercial and retail development on his site near the International Agriculture Center along Highway 99.

It’s the third time a developer has attempted to build a NASCAR-style track in the San Joaquin Valley. Others succumbed to environmental regulations and high costs.

The next step for approval is the Tulare County Local Agency Formation Commission.

Meanwhile in other track news the Alabama Motorsports Park, a Dale Earnhardt Jr, “signature” track, has been granted a permit for the Alabama Motorsports Park to be built in Prichard, Ala.

“The decision to issue the permit was made after a finding of no significant impacts to the environment in the Environmental Assessment,” said E. Patrick Robbins, Public Affairs Officer, Mobile District of the Army Corp of Engineers.

Construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months. The park’s opening is now set for 2011.

GCE expects to invest $640 million at the site off Interstate 65, largely within the city limits of Prichard. The plans include three different types of racetracks, seating, parking and an RV lot. Mr. Dow says the GCE expects at least another $640 million will be spent by major entertainment and hospitality investors around the park.