The company that wants to bring NASCAR auto racing to the Pacific Northwest will host a delegation of state and county officials during next weekend’s Daytona 500 race.
International Speedway Corp. of Daytona Beach, Fla., invited officials from the state, including Snohomish County leaders, to see up close one of the sport’s most famous racing events.
A similar group visited the company’s Kansas Speedway last year.
"It will give us an idea of what support services are necessary and what a track can draw in, as far as businesses," said Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, who will fly to Daytona on Feb. 14.
International Speedway is considering several sites in Washington and Oregon for a new racetrack that would accommodate at least 70,000 spectators.
In Snohomish County, two sites are prime candidates: Monroe and an area between Marysville and the Arlington airport. Last year, Darrington tried to woo the motor sports firm. Additionally, International Speedway has talked to leaders in Kitsap and Thurston counties.
Owen is the lone state government representative going to Daytona in advance of the Feb. 15 race. He said several leaders from Snohomish and Kitsap counties also are going, including Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon.
Mark Funk, spokesman for Reardon, said a decision about the county’s representation hasn’t been made. Deborah Knutson, president of the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, said she was invited to Daytona, but hasn’t decided whether she will go.
Owen said he is interested in talking to International Speedway officials about what help it might want from the state of Washington. Other states have helped finance new tracks, as well as road improvements on freeways leading to the tracks.
"If, in fact, Washington state is going to be making an investment … is there an opportunity to get a return on that investment?" Owen said.
David Talley, spokesman for International Speedway, said it usually takes several years to get a racetrack planned, approved and built.
First, the owner of Daytona International Speedway and a dozen other tracks nationwide has to settle on a site, and the competition is likely to be fierce. International Speedway says a new track could generate annual revenue of $87 million and another $58 million in state and local taxes.
Other studies have estimated the direct and indirect economic benefits of a major NASCAR track at more than $200 million.
David Porter, executive director of the Kitsap Regional Economic Development Commission, said he thinks sites in his county are competitive with locations in Snohomish County.
"We think we’re still in the game," Porter said. "That’s what we’ve been advised."
The Daytona 500 opens the NASCAR racing season and is considered the most prestigious race in the Nextel Cup series. This year, payouts at the race will exceed $15.9 million, the biggest purse in stock-car racing history.
Along with the Washington state delegation, visitors to the race will include President Bush. Overall, more than 200,000 people are usually on hand for race day, according to International Speedway.
Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.
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