Lt. Gov. backs plan for NASCAR track in Washington
Quote selected text Published February 2nd, 2007 in NASCAR News
Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, a popular Democrat who has made economic development his central issue, said he will champion a $368 million NASCAR racetrack, probably on the Kitsap Peninsula west of Seattle.
The price tag has risen $23 million since last year, but the developers have also agreed to pick up a larger share of the total cost and to absorb any cost overruns.
Owen, who represented the Bremerton-Shelton area in the state Legislature before moving to the lieutenant governor’s office, said Thursday that he and Rep. Geoff Simpson, D-Covington, will lead the charge for legislation to authorize the speedway.
The draft plan doesn’t specify a site, but Florida-based Great Western Sports has been working with local officials on a site near the Bremerton National Airport. The project would include seats for 83,500 fans.
“This track should be built,” Owen said in a statement. “It’s important to the state’s economy and would provide thousands of local jobs. A NASCAR track would be like bringing two Super Bowls to the state of Washington every year.”
- Washington Governor tells ISC to build track elsewhere in state
- NASCAR drops Washington track plans
- Washington track opponent rebuked by county council
- Star drivers head to Washington to promote track plan
- ISC pledges two NASCAR race weekends for Washington track
I would personally be excited if a track came to Washington State becuase I have never been to a race in my life. I have been a lifelong fan of the sport. So I would be really excited to go to a race in person and not just watch it on the television!! So if they could make that happen I would be estatic!!!
not to long ago SOMONE had plans to build a track in NEW JERSEY by ATLANTIC CITY but i believe the plans were crapped on so don’t be surprised if this build does not happen cause NASCAR has the last say if they even will consider coming to the track.
Gene, you may have your “News” confused.
The New York Staten Island project is dead.
However a track in New Jersy is still going forward
and may gain support with NY’s dismissal of ISC’s plans.
The NJ Senate (as of late Nov.) is working on
a bill to support a track there.
“This motor park would be an economic benefit to South Jersey in particular and to the state as a whole and would be paid for entirely by levies on the users of the facilities inside the motor park,” said sponsor Sen. Nicholas Asselta, R-Cumberland.