The Jacksonville Jaguars have one. So does the Orlando Magic. Why not NASCAR? Daytona Beach didn’t get the NASCAR Hall of Fame, but Florida drivers might still get a license plate bearing the moniker of the world-famous stock-car racing association if two local lawmakers have their way.

“Since it (the Hall of Fame) didn’t come here, we’ve got a different approach now,” said state Rep. Alan Hays, a Umatilla Republican who has filed a bill asking the Legislature to create a NASCAR plate — again. Two years ago, lawmakers decided to create a NASCAR specialty plate to help pay for the Hall of Fame if it ended up in Daytona Beach. The bid failed. Charlotte, N.C., won the hall. And the plate went into a prolonged pit stop.

But Hays and Sen. Carey Baker — a Eustis Republican sponsoring a companion bill — want to put it back on the track. Both represent parts of West Volusia. The NASCAR plate would cost $25 a year. Half of the money from sales would go to the charitable NASCAR Foundation to support Florida-based charitable organizations. If the plate became popular, it could be good money.

In 2005, the most popular specialty plate — Protect the Panther — generated about $2.3 million. As for what it would look like — that’s not clear. The word “Florida” would have to appear at the top of the plate and “NASCAR” at the bottom. NASCAR would have the option of submitting a proposed design to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in tandem with the sports foundation. The lawmakers’ bills would also create a “Support our Troops” plate. Fees from that plate would go to Support Our Troops Inc. for Florida soldiers and their families.

Daytona Beach News Journal

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