Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Lauren Gregg
Date: March 6, 2006 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY WELCOMES THE NASCAR HALL OF FAME TO CHARLOTTE
Hall of Fame Will Attract 400,000 Visitors Annually and Create More Than 700 New Jobs
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today welcomed the NASCAR Hall of Fame to Charlotte, the city finished first in NASCAR’s search for a Hall of Fame site. A study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte estimates that the Hall of Fame will generate about $62 million annually for the state’s economy and create more than 700 new jobs for the area. The city of Charlotte projects that the Hall of Fame will attract 400,000 visitors each year.
“The motorsports industry is a tremendous economic engine for our state and the addition of the Hall of Fame will make that engine even more powerful,” said Easley. “The decision to locate this attraction in North Carolina is recognition of our state’s commitment to the almost $6 billion motorsports industry and cements our reputation as the home of NASCAR.”
The Hall of Fame will include interactive exhibits, videos and driver memorabilia. NASCAR will have sole responsibility for inducting members. They expect to break ground on the facility in spring 2007 and open for visitors by March 2010.
Charlotte is home to approximately 100 Nextel Cup, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series teams and Lowe's Motor Speedway, which hosts 2 Nextel Cup, 2 Busch Series, 1 Craftsman Truck Series and the annual NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge race.
Motorsports businesses contribute almost $6 billion a year to North Carolina’s economy and provide more than 24,000 direct and indirect jobs. There are more than 1,000 motorsports-related businesses across North Carolina including testing facilities, memorials, museums and more than 50 race tracks.
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