NASCAR Hall of Fame News Page 3

Daytona Proposed Hall Features 3 story video wall: The central showpiece of the city's proposed NASCAR hall of fame is designed to make visitors feel like they're standing in the infield at Daytona International Speedway. A three-story curved wall that encircles the room will feature video screens with the likes of Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty zooming by at speeds close to 200 miles per hour. A rendering of the 10,000-square-foot exhibit, which is being called "NASCAR's Heritage Walk Gallery," was released by officials Wednesday in an effort to capitalize on the crowds in town for Saturday's Pepsi 400. Daytona Beach has been criticized for being too secretive about its bid in the past, but organizers said that was done on purpose and the city has begun to release details of the hall. The site has not been announced, but organizers have said the $70 million facility will be on or adjacent to Daytona International Speedway. (Orlando Sentinel)

Kansas HOF "Infield of North American": Like about 100 others in a ballroom at the Westin Crown Center hotel, Unified Government Mayor Joe Reardon had just heard Thursday morning's presentation on the bid to bring the NASCAR hall of fame to Wyandotte County. And like virtually every one of those 100 or so others, Reardon was left a bit breathless by what he had just seen and heard. "I am absolutely thrilled by this," he said. The job now for the Kansas City Area Development Council is to make NASCAR officials feel the same way. Members of the development council and the media got to take a look at what NASCAR officials are looking at - a $100 million-plus, 100,000-square-foot-plus structure whose attractions are much more Disneyland-glitzy than archival. The hall, if awarded to Kansas City, will be built on a bluff overlooking the intersection of Interstates 70 and 435. It will be packed with high-tech, interactive gadgets such as holograms of hall members who will describe their lives and careers. It will feature what is believed to be the largest video wall in the world and a wall of retired race cars six stories high. Video simulators in which actual NASCAR drivers will electronically help visitors drive in a virtual race are also planned. (Kansas City Star)

NASCAR HOF Public Records: The Observer requested Atlanta's bid to host the NASCAR Hall of Fame and any related documents under the Georgia Open Records Law. The lead agency on the bid, Central Atlanta Progress, wouldn't release the proposal. Officials said that because their organization is not a public agency, it is not covered by the law. The office of Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, however, released 36 pages of documents that include economic figures used as part of the hall of fame bid. The documents describe who would pay for construction and include a projection of the facility's 10-year operating budget. Charlotte released records related to its bid under the N.C. Public Records Law last week but withheld the hall's proposed operating budget. Officials cited an exception in the law related to the proposed expansion or location of businesses. (Charlotte Observer)

Atlanta's NASCAR HOF Impact 1 Billion: NASCAR hall of fame in Atlanta not only would crowd downtown streets with racing fans, it also could mean worn-out bells at hotel desks, "help wanted" signs in local store windows and fat tips left on restaurant tables. Landing NASCAR's version of Cooperstown might yield up to 1,200 new jobs and an economic impact of $1 billion for the metro area during its first decade, according to a Deloitte Consulting study passed among state officials and obtained under Georgia's open records law. If Deloitte's numbers are borne out, that would be the equivalent of a large employer coming to town and would be "a significant pop to the economy," said Roger Tutterow, an economist at Kennesaw State University. (Pulse Journal)

Charlotte Unveils $140 Million Dollar HOF: Leaders of Charlotte's bid for the NASCAR Hall of Fame unveiled detailed architectural renderings of the proposed $137.5 million facility at an uptown rally Tuesday afternoon. The design of the structure, which would be connected to the Charlotte Convention Center, features a sweeping plaza leading to a modern structure replete with NASCAR's signature corporate sponsor banners and draped in an oval-shaped crown that resembles a track. The design is the work of Pei, Cobb & Freed Partners, which is responsible for more than 100 high-profile projects around the world, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the John Hancock Tower in Boston and the National Gallery. (Charlotte Business Journal)

Kansas City HOF Bid Arrives in Charlotte: The Kansas City area's official bid for the NASCAR Hall of Fame departed from Kansas Speedway in a thinkKC branded YellowRoadway truck on Thursday, May 26 and arrived at NASCAR offices via the official Kansas Speedway pace car, a 2005 Ford Mustang, in Charlotte today at approximately 10:30 a.m. ET. "Kansas City is the perfect place for the NASCAR Hall of Fame," said Mayor Joe Reardon of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas. "The Hall of Fame will build on the continuing success of the Kansas Speedway and will be a welcome addition to the booming Village West shopping and entertainment district at Interstate 70 and Interstate 435." The Greater Kansas City area is one of five cities vying for the $100 million plus NASCAR Hall of Fame. (Yahoo!)

Daytona Submits NASCAR HOF Bid: With the roar of race cars giving rides to Daytona USA visitors in the background Thursday, local dignitaries gathered at Daytona International Speedway to sign a proposal to build the NASCAR Hall of Fame here. "NASCAR was born on our beaches," said Jon Ferguson, chairman of The Chamber, Daytona Beach/Halifax Area. "NASCAR was raised on our streets. NASCAR grew to international prominence in our community. NASCAR's Hall of Fame belongs here." More than 100 people attended the ceremony at Victory Lane to show public support for the project. Thursday's ceremony took on the tone of a pep rally, but local officials kept details of the local proposal under their hats because of fears they might tip off competitors. (News-Journal)

Atlanta Submits NASCAR HOF Bid: Atlanta hopes to park a NASCAR hall of fame on real estate owned by hometown mogul Ted Turner, just across the street from the shrieks and spray of Centennial Olympic Park's famous fountains. Atlanta's NASCAR shrine will cost about $92 million, money the city's bid team would raise from Georgia's major corporate NASCAR sponsors, bank loans and as much as $30 million in support from the state and city governments. Atlanta's hall would open by 2008. The attraction's potential site, now a parking lot at Luckie Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive, would be a short walk from the city's coming-soon tourist destinations: the Georgia Aquarium and the new World of Coca-Cola. (News-Journal)

Kansas City Submits NASCAR HOF Bid: Thursday afternoon, in a first step, the Kansas bid for the Hall of Fame was officially sent off to NASCAR. This bid, though, was sent off by several members of the Kansas Army National Guard. They were wearing camouflage. They were fully armed. Their faces were painted. Their eyes were large. Several hid in the infield grass. They seemed to be taking this mission very seriously. Air cover was provided by a UH-60 Black Hawk military aircraft. The infantry squad was protected by an M2 A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which, according to the Military Analysis Network Web site, has the "medium and long range firepower capable of defeating any vehicle on the battlefield." (KC Star)

Charlotte NASCAR HOF Land: City leaders worked with the federal government to transfer a parcel of land to the city, ideally sold to help the city pay for the construction of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory has been working on the deal all day - and there is a sense of urgency. "We need to have our proposal ready by May 31 and we want as much in our financial plan as possible and ready for the proposal," said McCrory. City officials want to build the hall in the area between Brevard and Caldwell streets. The federal land that the city wants is right along Interstate 277. The plan is to reconfigure the interchange and make it easier for people to get to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The city-owned land freed up by the new interchange would then be sold and developed.(WSOCTV)

North Wilkesboro out of HOF Race: An effort to start up the NASCAR Hall of Fame at the North Wilkesboro Speedway is drawing lots of fan interest, but not gaining much traction in official circles. Rep. Tracy Walker, R-Wilkes, said that the only official response he has received so far is a call from a member of Gov. Mike Easley's staff. "The talk among the (governor's) staff was it was too late in the game," Walker said. (Salem-Journal)

Daytona NASCAR HOF Money: upporters of the NASCAR hall of fame got a $20,000 shot in the arm Monday from the Volusia Council of Governments. The council, made up of elected officials from across the county, gave nearly unanimous approval to help The Chamber, Daytona Beach/Halifax Area and other supporters win the hall of fame over contenders in Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Kansas City, Kan.; and Richmond, Va. Deltona Mayor John Masiarczyk issued the only dissenting vote, saying he didn't want the group to set a precedent of giving money for countywide fund-raisers. Chamber President George Mirabal told VCOG members the money would help pay for consultants and other costs, such as the formal proposal package that has been estimated to cost $250,000. (News-Journal)

NASCAR HOF News: The buzz in the Nextel Cup garage says the search for a NASCAR Hall of Fame has boiled down to two scenarios. The first would have the hall located in Kansas City, where Lesa France Kennedy spearheaded construction of Kansas Speedway. Kennedy is president of International Speedway Corp., which is majority owned by her father, Bill France, Jr., and other family members, including her brother, NASCAR Chairman Brian France. Kennedy is seen as her brother's ultimate successor at NASCAR at some as-yet-undefined point in the future. (SPEED)

Senate OK's Money for HOF: North Carolina's bid to house a NASCAR hall of fame got a boost Thursday when the Senate tentatively approved a temporary 2 percent increase on Charlotte-area hotel rooms to help fund construction of the museum. Charlotte is one of a number of cities that want to host the hall, which could bring 400,000 to 500,000 visitors to the state annually. All must make their proposals to NASCAR by May 31. The measure was tentatively approved 42-3 and could come to a final Senate vote as early as Monday. It must still be approved by the House and Gov. Mike Easley. (NBC 17)

Charlotte HOF, Tourism Group Opposes Tax: State financing for Charlotte's NASCAR Hall of Fame bid cleared its first turn Wednesday, but tourism groups say they're prepared to put up a major roadblock if the city doesn't change the way it would handle the money. The N.C. Senate Finance Committee unanimously backed a funding bill that goes to the full Senate today. It would allow Charlotte to increase its tax on hotel rooms from 6 percent to 8 percent to help pay for the hall. That would give the city the highest room tax in the state. Charlotte is working to get a $137.5 million financing plan into NASCAR's hands by a May 31 deadline, and state backing is a key component. Charlotte is competing with four other cities for the hall, including Atlanta and Kansas City. (ThatsRacin)

Wilkesboro and Charlotte HOF Location: Wilkes County leaders have started a campaign to get NASCAR to pick North Wilkesboro Speedway as the site of its proposed Hall of Fame. "We just thought it would be a shame not to have a chance to have this in Wilkes County, where NASCAR has its roots," said Bert Hall, a town of North Wilkesboro commissioner. "NASCAR has abandoned a lot of the smaller tracks, and it might be a chance to redeem itself." Hall and N.C. Rep. Tracy Walker, R-Wilkes, sent their proposal in an e-mail Friday and followed it up yesterday with letters to Gov. Mike Easley and track owners Bruton Smith and Bob Bahre. Hall and Walker asked for face-to-face meetings. (Salem-Journal)

Virginia to Reveal NASCAR HOF Bid: The Virginians Racing for the Hall of Fame committee has scheduled a news conference before tomorrow's Chevy American Revolution 400 to reveal details about its pitch for the NASCAR shrine. Rival bidders Atlanta and Kansas City, Kan., held pep rallies this week, but another dropped out. The state of Michigan no longer is in the running, joining Talladega-Birmingham, Ala., on the sidelines. (TimesDispatch)

Michigan Withdraws HOF Bid: Michigan officials say they won't submit a pitch for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, narrowing the field to Daytona Beach and four competitors. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. was spearheading the effort to put the hall of fame in the Detroit area, but its vice president, Michael Shore, said Wednesday it has decided not to submit a proposal. "We really aren't pursuing it," he said. "The governor gave us the green light to explore it. But when we reviewed the financial commitment it would take to make one of these really work -- and given the state's economic situation -- we were talking a lot of money and a long-term commitment." (News-Journal)

Kansas City to Make Case For NASCAR HOF: Wednesday, hall supporters in Kansas City, Kan. - where Kansas Speedway is entering just its fifth season of operation - said they represent the sport's future and NASCAR's best chance to reach beyond its traditional fan base in the southeastern United States. "We are the future, and we believe we can extend the brand," said Jeff Boerger, president of Kansas Speedway. "It's now becoming an international sport, and what better location than having it in the center of the United States?" The Kansas City area is not revealing much about its bid for the hall, which would be located just east of Kansas Speedway in the booming Village West tourism and retail district. (TheState)

Georgia Official Confident about Atlanta HOF: Georgia's Commissioner of Economic Development told Gainesville Kiwanians Tuesday he thinks the NASCAR Museum and Hall of Fame could come to Atlanta. Commissioner Craig Lesser said Georgia has a great stock car racing tradition and history but most of the drivers are in North Carolina and Charlotte is making a major competitive effort. "We think we have a great plan, we think we have the best site because most of the sponsors of NASCAR are from Atlanta," Lesser said. (AccessNorthGA)

NC NASCAR HOF Efforts: Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory and Charlotte Chamber of Commerce President Cathy Bessant, along with officials from Concord, Kannapolis, and Mooresville, announced their latest campaign to bring the NASCAR Hall of Fame to the Queen City. hey used a NASCAR-style stock car as their petition for the public to sign. It was located in the middle of Uptown Charlotte, on Trade Street and Tryon. They also handed out buttons with the slogan, "Racing was built here. Racing belongs here." City officials said to make this campaign a success, they had to take a regional approach. They said Charlotte cannot win the bidding war on its own. It needs the help of the surrounding areas, like Concord, Kannapolis, and Mooresville. (WSCOTV)

Daytona HOF FL. Bill Dead: In a tumultuous end to the legislative session, Florida lawmakers passed a $63 billion budget Friday and approved overhauling the state's Medicaid system -- but refused to spend $30 million to help Daytona Beach attract a NASCAR hall of fame. Lawmakers also passed bills aimed at making it harder to amend the state constitution, fix the hurricane-wracked property insurance system and require parents to be notified before minors can have abortions. The final issue to be resolved, around 11:45 p.m., was a plan to revamp the growth-management system, a top priority of Senate President Tom Lee, R-Brandon. But the Senate never took up a bill that would have provided subsidies to Daytona Beach to try to outbid other areas of the country for the NASCAR hall of fame. Daytona Beach lobbyist Sam Bell said the issue was dead. (NewsJournal)

Fl. HOF Fate to be determined Today? Miami's bid for a $60 million state subsidy to help build a new baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins is dead, Senate President Tom Lee said Thursday. Lee also said "it's not looking good" for other sports subsidies, including $30 million for a NASCAR hall of fame in Daytona Beach and facilities for the Orlando Magic and spring training facilities. The fate of the NASCAR subsidy likely will be decided today, the last day of the legislative session. Lee didn't anticipate even bringing the bill up for debate on Friday, the final day of the session. George Mirabal, president of The Chamber, Daytona Beach/Halifax Area, said the setback to the NASCAR hall proposal was a disappointment but by no means did it signal the end of the project. (News-Journal)

Florida Senate Unlikely to take up Sports Bill includes Daytona HOF: A day after the Florida House passed a bill spending millions of dollars to help professional sports franchises, Senate President Tom Lee said the measure has virtually no support among his members. Lee said about 30 of the 40 senators are opposed to a $60 million subsidy to help Miami officials build a new ballpark for the Florida Marlins, not to mention the millions more included for other sports projects. The House voted 90-26 Wednesday for a proposal to commit the $60 million to help the Marlins build a proposed $420 million retractable-roof stadium in Miami. However, that measure was loaded with money for other pro sports projects, including $60 million to refurbish the home arena for the NBA's Orlando Magic, $30 million to help Daytona Beach officials to lure a NASCAR Hall of Fame and $2 million to assist a handful of spring training sites. (News-Journal)

FL House Approves Daytona HOF Money: The Florida House overwhelmingly passed a bill today that would provide $30 million in subsidies to help Daytona Beach attract a NASCAR hall of fame. House members voted 90-26 to approve the bill, which also would set aside $120 million to help build or renovate stadiums for the Florida Marlins and Orlando Magic and rebate sales taxes collected at the Ocean Center and other convention centers. Supporters said the bill, which now goes to the Senate, would help boost economic development. "This will provide job opportunities for our folk in Volusia County and the state of Florida,'' said Rep. Joyce Cusack, D-DeLand. (NewsJournal)

City Endorses HOF hotel tax hike: The Charlotte City Council endorsed a hotel tax hike and the use of city-owned land for a NASCAR Hall of Fame on Monday. The unanimous vote marked the latest step in the city's fast-moving bid for the tourism prize. "After this vote we're at Turn 1," said Mayor Pat McCrory, a Republican. "We've still got a ways to go." The tax hike, which requires approval from the state legislature, would increase the rate from 6 percent to 8 percent. That is expected to yield $65 million of the $137.5 million construction cost, and the plan already has the crucial backing of the local hotel industry. Council members took turns praising the idea and the opportunity that the hall of fame could bring. "The engine indeed has started for what will indeed be a huge economic impact for Charlotte and for the region," said Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Cannon, a Democrat. (ThatsRacin)

Not So Fast on Charlotte HOF Money: Several state lawmakers from Mecklenburg on Tuesday forecast smooth sailing for the plan to raise the hotel room tax as part of a $137.5 million bid to lure a NASCAR Hall of Fame to the region. Local officials unveiled a plan Monday that includes asking state permission to boost the tax from 6 percent to 8 percent. Some plan to lobby lawmakers today. Another part of the push, which seeks a state subsidy of as much as $35 million, will be a tougher sell in a tight budget year, the lawmakers say. That part of the proposal also could face a challenge from Greensboro, where lawmakers are seeking $20 million to help build an Atlantic Coast Conference Hall of Champions. (ThatsRacin)

Daytona NASCAR HOF Study: A proposed NASCAR hall of fame would be a money-maker in Daytona Beach, drawing more than 400,000 people a year -- but it would need state dollars and Speedway land to be feasible, according to an economic study. Local officials who commissioned the study hailed it as proof the project could thrive in Daytona Beach, which is competing with five other areas to be home to the hall of fame. Fishkind projected the hall of fame would draw 406,300 visitors a year, more than halls of fame for baseball, football or basketball. Company officials declined to comment on the study until it is made public, but Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden called the estimate "a real conservative number." (News Journal)

Charlotte Outlines HOF Financial Plan: The city of Charlotte now has a financial plan in place for a NASCAR hall of fame. Mayor Pat McCrory outlined the plan Monday at a City Council meeting. "The major burden of who is paying for it is going to be on tourists and the hospitality industry, because they're the ones who get the greatest benefit," McCrory said. The total cost is expected to be $137.5 million. Of that, $37.5 million would come from the convention center fund. That money would be used to build a parking deck and expand the convention center, which sits across from the project's preferred site on Brevard Street. (News14)

Proposed Charlotte HOF to cost 50 - 100 million: Now that the city of Charlotte has pinpointed a preferred site for a NASCAR hall of fame, it is trying to piece together a financial package. Luther Cochrane, the chairman of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, said the museum would cost between $50 million and $100 million, depending on the building's design. "You can expect that the financial package will be based upon some historic models; it'll feature some degree of public and private contribution," Cochrane said Wednesday. "We think the state would like to be involved in this, in some form or fashion." (New14Charlotte)

Charlotte HOF Adds Architect: Leaders of a campaign to bring the NASCAR Hall of Fame to Charlotte have selected renowned architect I.M. Pei's firm to design the proposed museum, which they're targeting for a city-owned site in Second Ward. Bids for the project, to be awarded by NASCAR, are due May 31, with a city to be chosen some time after the motorsports organization's annual awards banquet in December but before the Daytona 500 in February 2006. Charlotte is vying against five cities -- including Atlanta, Kansas City, Mo., and Daytona, Fla. -- to become the hall of fame's home. Local bidders anticipate the project will cost $75 million to $100 million to build. (BizJournal)

Good News for Daytona HOF: For weeks, lobbyists and local officials have tried to convince state lawmakers that Florida would get an economic boost from funneling tens of millions of dollars to a NASCAR hall of fame and two sports stadiums. But a Senate economist blasted holes in many of those arguments Tuesday, telling lawmakers that taxpayer-funded stadium projects don't bring economic growth -- though he gave a somewhat-brighter picture of the proposed NASCAR hall of fame in Daytona Beach. Economist Ross Fabricant said studies are "clear and unambiguous" that spending tax dollars on projects such as building or overhauling stadiums for the Orlando Magic and Florida Marlins would not benefit the state economically. He said, in part, that new-and-improved stadiums likely would only lead to people shifting spending from other entertainment venues. (NewsJournal)

Daytona HOF Win, State Commits Money: Daytona Beach's bid to attract a NASCAR hall of fame got its first legislative victory Tuesday -- but the hard part is still coming. The House Tourism Committee approved a plan that would commit $30 million over 25 years to the city's effort to lure the hall of fame to a site near Daytona International Speedway. The vote came after weeks of lobbying and tinkering by local officials as they tried to ease concerns about using tax dollars to pay for the project. "I think we started out with a worm, and we now have a butterfly," said Rep. Pat Patterson, a DeLand Republican who is sponsoring the proposal. (NewsJournal)

Motorsports Hall Honors Woody: Staff writer Larry Woody of The Tennessean is the 2005 recipient of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame's Henry T. McLemore Award, which recognizes outstanding motorsports journalism. Woody will be honored during ceremonies April 28 at the hall in Talladega, Ala., along with 2005 inductees Darrell Waltrip, Nigel Mansell, Chip Hanauer, Joe Amato and Bob Glidden. Woody is the 25th person to receive the McLemore Award since it was first awarded in 1969. Previous recipients include Chris Economaki, Ken Squier, Barney Hall, Eli Gold, Bob Jenkins and Ned Jarrett. (Tennessean)

Alabama Drops HOF bid: An Alabama group has dropped its campaign to be the home of a proposed NASCAR Hall of Fame, reducing Charlotte's competition for the project to five rival bidders. On Wednesday, The Associated Press reported that Neal Wade, director of the Alabama Development Office, called a halt to the campaign to locate the hall of fame between Birmingham and Talladega. Bids are due May 31 for the facility, which will likely cost $75 million to $100 million. At the same time, plans for a bid by Daytona, Fla., are also shifting. Early talks centered on the state providing as much as $75 million in funding. Now, according to reports in The Orlando Sentinel, Daytona museum backers are aiming for $30 million to be raised by selling NASCAR license plates. (Biz Journal)

Daytona Hall of Fame Push: Backers of a NASCAR hall of fame in Daytona Beach lobbied state lawmakers for financial help Tuesday, pitching a scaled-back plan that they hope will be politically palatable. Daytona officials are trying to make their project stand out, as lawmakers sort through a series of proposals to spend tens of millions of dollars on facilities for the Florida Marlins, Orlando Magic and baseball spring-training teams. Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden told a House committee that the hall of fame project would boost tourism and create jobs. At the same time, she laid out a revised plan that would reduce the state's proposed share of the project from $75 million to $30 million -- and ultimately repay the state through selling NASCAR-themed license tags. "This is not only good for Daytona Beach, but is good for the state of Florida," Scarlett-Golden said to the House Tourism Committee, which likely will vote on the project during the next two weeks. (News-Journal)

Daytona's NASCAR Hall of Fame Wheels coming off: Political trouble has the city's drive to bring the NASCAR hall of fame to Daytona Beach sputtering like a car with engine trouble. City Manager Jim Chisholm told city commissioners in an e-mail Thursday he would suspend the city's campaign. And though he later backed off making that announcement, the city's caution flags have state lawmakers rethinking their commitment to the project. The trouble started Wednesday when commissioners voted 6-1 to support building the hall of fame but wouldn't discuss putting up $20,000 to help pay an estimated $200,000 cost to develop a proposal. The commission's actions sent shock waves to the city's partners as far as Tallahassee. Local lawmakers were seeking $75 million in state funding to build the hall of fame. They fear Wednesday's commission action will make it even harder to sell the project to the Legislature.(NewsJournal)

Daytona Hall of Fame Money being Raised: Despite the city of Daytona Beach's reluctance to kick in any money, West Volusia's tourism promoters, saying what helps attract visitors to one part of the county benefits everyone, agreed Thursday to contribute to the effort to bring NASCAR's hall of fame to Daytona Beach. The West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority's board ponied up $2,000 toward the bid package. Board member Dave Wilson said he felt "anything in Volusia County benefits all of us." "NASCAR is huge. What we have going for us in Volusia County is (racing) history," Wilson said. Board chairman Sharon Hughes, general manager of a Hampton Inn in DeBary, said she tries very hard to keep her guests in Volusia County. "I know Daytona USA is popular with my guests," Hughes said of the attraction. (NewJournal)

Hendrick to Lead Charlotte HOF effort, Fl. Looking for Celebrity: Top-level NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick was anointed Tuesday as crew chief of the effort to bring the highly coveted NASCAR hall of fame to the Charlotte region. Daytona Beach, which is competing with Charlotte and five other cities for the racing landmark, is looking to land a famous name, too. "It's our plan to have a NASCAR car and a NASCAR driver from Florida" at a rally in Tallahassee on March 22, City Manager Jim Chisholm said. And George Mirabal, president of The Chamber, Daytona Beach-Halifax Area and a member of the Green Flag Strike Force organizing the local hall of fame effort, said an agreement with a celebrity spokesperson might be reached later this week. Charlotte, meanwhile, still has many unanswered questions, but at least officials there know who'll be selling their pitch to the public. "This is where it belongs," Hendrick told reporters at the Hendrick Motorsports Museum, where he was joined by dozens of business and public officials who are backing the campaign. Charlotte and its northern suburbs are a stock-car racing hub and are home base for most Nextel Cup teams, Hendrick noted. Fans already flock to racing shops and Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, considered one of the top tracks in the country. (CupScene)

Taxpayers will have to spend to lure FL. NASCAR HOF: Local taxpayers will likely provide seed money for the city's efforts to lure the NASCAR hall of fame here. But state and corporate money will be counted on to carry the project across the finish line. City commissioners will consider putting up $20,000 on Wednesday toward the estimated $200,000 cost of preparing a proposal to build the attraction for stock-car racing greats. "We're going to have to put money in to get the proposal together," City Manager Jim Chisholm said this week. City officials also want $25,000 from Volusia County and $20,000 from taxes collected by the Halifax Area Advertising Authority on hotel rentals. The authority so far has approved $10,000 of that amount. (News-Journal)

Virginia's Hall of Fame Bid: Virginians Racing for the Hall of Fame, the nonprofit group formed to help Henrico County's Economic Development Authority in its bid for a proposed NASCAR Hall of Fame, held a public relations subcommittee meeting Wednesday at RIR that drew local leaders in tourism, business and marketing. An international consulting firm with hall of fame experience and two renowned construction firms specializing in museum design have been commissioned to help with the project. Richmond is competing against several cities for the hall. The NASCAR deadline for bids is May 31 (Times Dispatch)

Charlotte to Make Official Bid for HOF: City leaders are planning a major public announcement next week about Charlotte's bid for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The results of Charlotte's competition with six other locations could determine the future of the racing industry here, said board members of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, which met Wednesday morning. They worried that NASCAR-related companies as well as the sport's annual all-star race might move if the hall of fame goes elsewhere. "Not only do we have a lot to win, we have a lot to lose," said board Chairman Luther Cochrane. But many crucial details remain unclear, including the location, size, cost and potential public funding for the sport's showpiece. Only some of that information will be known by next week, said authority CEO Tim Newman. He and local business leaders are working on the project. (Charlotte Observer)

Bristol Mayor Wants NASCAR Hall of Fame: Each year about this time, city leaders head to Nashville to deliver their wish lists to state lawmakers. Better roads and a more equitable way to divvy up state money for schools are key talking points this year, and perennial favorites. The push to open a privately-funded pharmacy school at East Tennessee State University also makes the list. But the projects that top Bristol Tennessee Mayor Jim Messimer's unofficial list are most interesting - namely, a desire to see the NASCAR Hall of Fame built in Bristol and to develop a regional civic center near Bristol Motor Speedway. Both are long shots, sure, but intriguing ideas, nonetheless. "I DON'T know if we're late in the ball game or if we just felt like we didn't have a chance to get (the Hall of Fame) here," Messimer said of the racing hall of fame, which already is the subject of fierce competition among seven cities. "But think what it would do for this region if, somewhere near BMS, you had the NASCAR Hall of Fame and a 15,000-seat arena." (TriCities.com)

Poll Shows Floridians Reject NASCAR HOF Hike: If Florida voters have their way, a NASCAR hall of fame will never make it out of the garage. A poll released Monday showed that voters -- by an 81 percent to 16 percent margin -- oppose the possibility of the state shelling out $75 million to help Daytona Beach land a NASCAR hall of fame. To add insult to injury, even NASCAR fans don't like the idea: They opposed it by a margin of 63 percent to 35 percent. The poll of 1,007 voters -- conducted Feb. 18-22 by Quinnipiac University, a Connecticut college that frequently surveys people in Florida and other states -- also showed overwhelming opposition to similar proposals to subsidize a new baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins and arena renovations for the Orlando Magic. (Daytona Beach Journal)

Daytona and NASCAR HOF set Deadline: Daytona Beach hopes to be in victory lane this fall when NASCAR awards the bid for its $75 million hall of fame project. To help, city officials put the Central Florida Sports Commission and the Chamber of Commerce of Daytona Beach and the Halifax Area in the driver's seat by tapping the two entities to spearhead efforts for Daytona's bid for a hall of fame. If successful, the project would be an economic development coup for Daytona Beach and Volusia County. Building on Daytona's history as the original home of NASCAR, many believe the hall of fame would bring two new events -- a hall of fame induction ceremony and a race -- and attract 500,000 additional visitors to the area each year. Still, with the May 31 deadline looming, it is a gargantuan task, says George Mirabel, president of the chamber of commerce. "We've had a little time to gather our thoughts, and now we have 13 weeks to have the proposal to NASCAR," he notes. (Biz Journal)

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