Charlotte Race

[appmaj]

http://www.wbtv.com/story/22301261/brut ... race-vegas

I don't care much at all about NASCAR but, these races are huge for the local economy. An 86 year old Billionaire who threatens to leave and take his ball (race) with him when he doesn't get his way.

[moehler]

reading the article it sounds like he has already made his mind up a long time ago, just looking for an excuse. I guess with this guy, there is never enough money, I bet he is just a "joy" to live with, or having to work for.

[BeauFoster]

reading the article it sounds like he has already made his mind up a long time ago, just looking for an excuse. I guess with this guy, there is never enough money, I bet he is just a "joy" to live with, or having to work for.

Part of me believes exactly as you do, but the other part thinks he's using Vegas as leverage to get $ out of the county. The race is a huge deal, and would be a big economic blow to the area, though not nearly as much as it would have been 7-10 years ago.

[appmaj]

Saying there is a 70% chance to me shows he is again trying to hold the county and state for ransom.

Smith says he initially kept the track there after a $80 million deal was presented to him, $60 million from Cabarrus County and another $20 million from the state. He says the county still hasn't come through with their end of the deal.

He is a billionaire. If he wants improvements at 'his' track he can afford it.

[ASUMountaineer]

http://www.wbtv.com/story/22301261/brut ... race-vegas

I don't care much at all about NASCAR but, these races are huge for the local economy. An 86 year old Billionaire who threatens to leave and take his ball (race) with him when he doesn't get his way.

I hope Concord and Cabarrus County calls his bluff. His routine is tiresome. If he ultimately goes, so be it. He says, "it's not a threat, per se." Of course it's a threat, he knows what he's doing. It's not enough that the local governments have bent over backwards to give him what he wants, and named a road after him, he wants more. Quit catering to him and call his bluff.

[JonW]

It sounds like between him and Jerry, they're holding the sports in that area hostage.

[moehler]

Beaufoster, I see your point, maybe his is trying to force the hand of the county to give him what he wants, regardless, he has great leverage over the county, give me what I want, or I will go to Vegas.

[moonshine]

Well...bye!!!

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=MBfYQOSS ... BfYQOSSPqc

[Kgfish]

Saying there is a 70% chance to me shows he is again trying to hold the county and state for ransom.

Smith says he initially kept the track there after a $80 million deal was presented to him, $60 million from Cabarrus County and another $20 million from the state. He says the county still hasn't come through with their end of the deal.

He is a billionaire. If he wants improvements at 'his' track he can afford it.

That isn't the issue. Concord made a deal and has not followed through. Like or not Smith is a business man and of course he is using the race as leverage, it is in his favor to do so. Concord officials screwed up when they made the deal in the first place falling for Bruton's bluff he would move the track. They have nobody to blame but themselves.

[9Steelman]

Lot of empty seats everywhere the last few years. Not enough drama and unexpecting events. Very few have mechanical trouble, very seldom anyone makes a mistake, very seldom does the unexpected happen, a computer can almost predict the results. Watch the last 10 laps of any Nascar race and you will see 99% of what there is to see. I grew up in a racing family and still somewhat enjoy racing, but nothing compared to 30, 40, 50 years ago. A lower percent of the younger generation who follows racing is coming fast. Us older ones who loved racing in dropping fast. Bowman Gray Stadium in W-S is currently the best value for real racing at $10 per adult. Maybe that is why you can hardly find a seat each Saturday Night. Not sure where racing will be in 10 years??? I was really bored by the Allstar race. The ARCA race from Toledo, Ohio Sunday won by Ken Schrader on SPEED was much better that the Allstar race. The 100 lap Modified Satruday at BGS in W-S won by Burt Myers was better that Allstar race. Anyway Nascar racing is going thru and entering a whole new world, not sure what the outcome will be years down the road.

[moonshine]

Isn't W-S selling BowGray to W-S State? Will they still race at BG?

[9Steelman]

If WSU buys BGS, then they also must honor the existing lease for racing. Not sure how many years in future the lease is. But I would think it would help WSU to pay the bills and help with the investment. Racing @BGS draws over twice as many fans as does football per event. I also would think WSU would want to keep an onging relationship with the racing folks for financial reasons. By the way my brother (Frank Steelman/builder/owner) won multiple modified races and championships at BGS with Pee Wee Jones and Ken Rush as drivers.

[asu1978]

Hey,If the 49ers get all the fans they THINK they're going to have,maybe they just might need CMS

[ASUMountaineer]

Lot of empty seats everywhere the last few years. Not enough drama and unexpecting events. Very few have mechanical trouble, very seldom anyone makes a mistake, very seldom does the unexpected happen, a computer can almost predict the results. Watch the last 10 laps of any Nascar race and you will see 99% of what there is to see. I grew up in a racing family and still somewhat enjoy racing, but nothing compared to 30, 40, 50 years ago. A lower percent of the younger generation who follows racing is coming fast. Us older ones who loved racing in dropping fast. Bowman Gray Stadium in W-S is currently the best value for real racing at $10 per adult. Maybe that is why you can hardly find a seat each Saturday Night. Not sure where racing will be in 10 years??? I was really bored by the Allstar race. The ARCA race from Toledo, Ohio Sunday won by Ken Schrader on SPEED was much better that the Allstar race. The 100 lap Modified Satruday at BGS in W-S won by Burt Myers was better that Allstar race. Anyway Nascar racing is going thru and entering a whole new world, not sure what the outcome will be years down the road.

I think NASCAR's effort to make the teams actually compete by the same rules, which is a good thing, has ultimately hurt the sport. In addition, the constant tinkering with the cars has added to this. It has prevented teams from pushing the envelope and actually taking risks to win races (outside of 2-tire stops). The quality of driver is probably at it's peak (minus Danica), but the racing doesn't reflect it.

[1ASU78]

No more "run what you brung" cookie cutter tracks, cookie cutter cars and cookie cutter drivers.

Thank you Bruton Smith.

[bcoach]

This is the same thing the sports teams do. If you don't build me a new stadium I am moving the team. The only response I would ever have to that is goodbye.

[BeauFoster]

Judging by the number of empty seats at last nights snoozer...I mean race...not too many people would care if they moved all that races away from Charlotte.

[StumpyCulbreath]

I heard he was just pissed off because he hadn't been elected, or even nominated to the HOF, until after the threat was made.

[87ASUgrad]

The track needs "too many improvements" is the same reason that Bruton Smith and Bob Bahre gave back in 1996 when they closed the North Wilkesboro Speedway down. It is obvious that they purchased the track only to get the 2 race dates from NASCAR. They immediately moved the dates to their New Hampshire and Texas tracks and made much more money. Closing the track hurt the economy here...but NASCAR is big business these days. Thats what they are all about, not much consideration to the community, roots of NASCAR, tradition or old tracks. I hope Charlotte can keep the race date, losing it will hurt the economy. I used to be a big NASCAR fan...but not so much any more.