NASCAR Politics
Updated: 2008
May 24, 2005
HOF Bill Passes N.C. Senate: The state senate gave final approval Monday to a temporary two percent increase to the hotel occupancy tax in Charlotte to help pay for the NASCAR hall of fame. The city wants to put the building on a block beside the Charlotte Convention Center in uptown Charlotte. The bill must also be approved by the state house before going to Governor Mike Easley for his signature. (WSOCTV)
May 23, 2005
Charlotte Hotels Looking for Help: Hospitality leaders and city officials navigated a compromise on increasing hotel taxes this week for a NASCAR Hall of Fame, but now must resolve concerns over finding more money to lure conventions to town. Opposition by lobbyists in Raleigh forced the city and local hoteliers to drop plans calling for a 1% business-development tourism fund as part of an overall 2% hike in the taxes paid by hotel guests. Instead, plans now call for the proposed 2% hike to be contingent upon Charlotte being awarded the hall of fame, with all proceeds -- an anticipated $6 million annually -- dedicated to the NASCAR project. The N.C. General Assembly must approve the measure, which would raise hotel taxes to 8%, highest in the state. (MSNBC)
May 11, 2005
Driving Lessons in store for NC Governor? Another Mishap: Two years after crashing a stock car at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Gov. Mike Easley nearly brought out the caution flag again Tuesday when he veered a NASCAR race car out of control on a drive through downtown. Easley, participating in a celebration of the state's motorsports, fishtailed and ran up on a curb -- narrowly avoiding a parked car and a utility pole -- as he drove Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet from the executive mansion to the Legislative Building. "If you got any blue paint on your car, you know who did it," said Rep. Karen Ray, R-Iredell. "Put this fellow on a race track, and when he's supposed to turn left, he turns right." (News-Journal)
N.C. Lawmakers look to give motorsports tax credits: Lawmakers were revving up their support for NASCAR on Tuesday as the House and Senate met in joint session to convey that support and urge the motorsport to keep its All-Star Challenge in North Carolina. Tuesday's efforts were part of a multi-pronged approach aimed at keeping North Carolina's prominence in the sport and attracting more racing business to the state. The efforts include tax credits and direct appropriations. "There are a lot of states chipping away trying to take these businesses away from us," said Rep. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank, who introduced a bill that would include motorsports racing teams in the state's job creation tax credit plan. (Sun-Journal)
May 7, 2005
NC Governor Lobbying Efforts: Gov. Mike Easley on Tuesday takes another spin in the No. 48 race car, which he crashed into a track wall two ears ago, to boost North Carolina's claim on the NASCAR all-star race and hall of fame. Easley is slated to join a cadre of current and retired NASCAR drivers when he rumbles the Hendrick Motorsports vehicle two blocks from the governor's mansion to the Legislative Building, a safer and shorter distance than the high-speed lap during which he crashed in 2003. (Jimmie Johnson's car was repaired. Easley's pride was the only injury.) (ThatsRacin)
April 29, 2005
Florida Senate Unlikely to take up Sports Bill includes Daytona HOF
April 27, 2005
FL House Approves Daytona HOF Money
March 2, 2005
NASCAR Greats Lobbying in NC: Racing greats Bobby Allison, Junior Johnson and Benny Parsons lobbied the Legislature to lend support for a resolution to honor the memory of NASCAR aces and promote a racing museum in the state. Lawmakers in both chambers unanimously approved the resolution as part of their effort to protect a $1.5 billion racing industry that employs about 10,000 people in North Carolina. As the sport increases in popularity, so does the competition from other states to lure it away. But lawmakers and others say North Carolina is the best place for a museum. Stock car racing started here and a few hundred race teams -- NASCAR and otherwise -- are located around Charlotte. (Newsday)
January 15, 2005:
More about Dale Jr. in DC: Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t expect to attend the inauguration later this month of President George W. Bush; however the Bud Chevy driver will join NASCAR President Mike Helton in several pre-inaugural celebrations. Junior told PRN’s Garagepass he was invited to the concert hosted by twins Jenna and Barbara Bush, however he cannot attend due to a prior commitment. Still, Dale hopes to visit the President’s daughters in person to thank them for the invitation and said “If I get a chance to talk with George that would be awesome!” He went on to say, “When you’re in the racing business they bring the President around every once in a while and you get to meet him. I met George Bush more than, of course, than I ever saw Bill Clinton, but probably met him (Bush) face-to-face shaking hands three or four times…talked to him on my cell phone once…that was a highlight of my life.” While in Washington DC, “I’m just hanging out with Mike Helton and he’s going to show me where we’re sup! posed to be and hopefully we’ll get to give George a shout out.”(PRN's Garagepass Radio Show)
January 14, 2005:
Dale Jr. in DC: Dale Earnhardt Jr. listed among the celebs and entertainers for the "A Celebration of Freedom" event on the inaugural event list announced today by the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee. PIC director Greg Jenkins announced the list which includes Dale Junior, Kenny Chesney, Buzz Aldrin & Others under the astronaut category. The Gatlin Brothers, The Temptations, Singer Daniel Rodriquez, the Radio City Rockettes, Boxkar, Kristen Chenoweth, Yolanda Adams and others will also be a part of the "Clebration of Freedom" event which is part of inaugural week events in Washington, DC. The Celebration of Freedom event is Wed., Jan 19th at 4:00pm/et in Washington, DC.(Claire B. Lang - XM Satellite NASCAR Radio)
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