Razorback Dreams of NASCAR
Investors are making the rounds of towns and cities in Arkansas with the possibility that a NASCAR track could be built in the area.
Investors said they have approached officials in Bentonville, asking about the number of hotels and restaurants in northwest Arkansas.
“I think they felt like this area was growing to a point where they needed to take a look at that kind of amenity,” said Bentonville Chamber of Commerce spokesman Ed Clifford.
(Ah huh, and have they looked at the NASCAR schedule that has zero “amenities” for the foreseeable future - ed)
NASCAR already has a presence in Bentonville a possible location of a new facility. They work closely with Wal-Mart to supply the retailer with NASCAR-licensed products. Many welcome the idea of a race track, even if it’s paved right across the border.
(Oh yea, that’s a “good” selling point, NASCAR-licensed products at Wal-Mart. If that’s the criteria why not try Jiaxing? Bet they have a few Robbie Gordon bobblehead dolls in stock and probably manufactured just down the street.)
Investors said they are not interested in building a track in Benton County because it is a dry county.
Well now, that seals the deal. Jiaxing it is.
NOTE, to my dear readers: Frankly I don’t have the heart to do it, but if one of you can send these “investers” (and porcine lovers) a CLUE I’d much appreciate it. And if you could, let’em know I have a basketball autographed by “Geese” Ausbie I could part with for the right price. (and after the ink dries)
UPDATE: These same investors have crossed the border into Missouri looking for sites in the Show Me State. Investors have contacted some landowners and plan to perform core drills to see if land parcels they’ve identified would be suitable for a track. Test results will not be ready for at least two months, Anderson, MO., Mayor Corcoran said.
“Every night I get down and say a little prayer that I hope this happens,” he said.
NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, Sports, Razorbacks, Arkansas, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
Well, the “I want a date” saga continues. There’s that town out in CA that wants to do it too. Guess they can’t take the hint from attendance at the snoozefests in Fontana.
Denver is looking to build something like Kansas, there’s the “Auburn tie in” out west, Jr’s little project in ‘bama, and who knows what else at this moment other than the “I’m suing crap in Kentucky”. Oh yeah, Bruton Smith is still ready to buy a track and shut it down to give Vegas a second date.
There just isn’t any room, even with the NY Fiasco coming to an abrupt end.
I understand the reaching into markets philosophy, but sometime you got to face the music and know they don’t want you. ALA: Fontana and it’s (yet again) horrid crowd.
Until NASCAR faces the fact that it’s the racing that’s got them where they are now, and again focuses on the racing first, it’s going to continue to be a struggle.
If ISC gets their Seattle track and NY (or the replacement area) track built, who’s losing dates? Two tracks will lose a date each at best if they have 2, or there may be a track popped off completely, and it’ll be from an ISC track unless they go the Bruton route and buy out an independent track owner.
If anyone doesn’t deserve a second date, it’s Fontana. But I bet it isn’t high on the list to consider.
You forgot one Luke, New Jersey has plans also.
I take a different view of Fontana. Crowd size isn’t relevant in the sense butts in the seats isn’t why NASCAR is there.
National marketing is. Without total east-west, north-south coverage venue wise NASCAR can’t sell it self as it does now to national companies.
And then there is the population. San Diego couldn’t sell out World Series tickets for Christ sakes!
Of all the Cali sports teams only the Raiders, 49ers and Dodgers can claim to have loyal fan bases. All the rest you’re more likely to see more t-shirts and hats of the opposing teams in the stands than the home teams.
All that said, Fontana needs to do a major track reconfiguration. I’d suggest cutting the length by 1/2/ to 3/4’s of a mile, progress banking and making turns at one end a different radius than the other like Darlington.
What’s wrong with you two? With only 36 weekends committed, that leaves an additional 14 weekends available, allowing 2 weeks off during the year.
Too muuch strain on the drivers you say? The WWF-on-Wheels can then go to tag team events, where they switch drivers in and out of the car. Same with crew members.
I tell ya, the lack of vision by this site and it’s participants is becoming disturbing!
What two weeks would you suggest George?
Presidents Day weekend (Brian France of course not the “other presidents.”) and the closest weekend to Richard Petty’s birthday?
Please Marc, Holidays are reserved for dead legends; Dale seniors and Big Bill’s birthdays.
A Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s race would be nice. I would watch. I would love 2 Vegas races.
Honestly and seriously now…I would be ticked if they cut out one of the Cali races. It is an East / West thing. I want the option to be able to travel there should I choose too. The track activities are a blast! They always do a good job with on and off track doings. They just need to shorten the race a bit. Then the race would be fun for the fans who are watching it on TV too.