Marysville may lead race

MARYSVILLE — A site near Marysville appears to be a front-runner for a proposed NASCAR racetrack, the city’s mayor said Friday.

"As far as we know right now, there are still six locations being considered," Dennis Kendall told the Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce Friday morning. "But we hear we are in a very favorable position."

After speaking to the chamber, Kendall and Marysville’s chief administrative officer, Mary Swenson, traveled to Olympia to hear specifics about International Speedway Corp.’s plans for a track in the Pacific Northwest.

Kendall said he is encouraged by reports that north Snohomish County is a preferred site for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing track, but added that he wants to learn more about the proposed raceway, including how much noise it would make.

Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, who kicked off the first of two presentations by International Speedway officials to state lawmakers in Olympia, said he already has an opinion on the economic effects that a new track would create.

"It appears to be an economic win for the state," said Owen, who led a contingent to Daytona International Speedway in Florida earlier this month to watch the Daytona 500. The experience turned Owen into a self-proclaimed "motorhead."

Owen said he will spearhead efforts to help International Speedway pick a viable site in the state. "We’ll continue to look at it with the idea of determining what it will take to bring it to the state of Washington."

John Graham, vice president of business affairs for International Speedway, told state officials "we are wide open on sites" and said the company also is looking at land in northern Oregon.

Lee Combs, International Speedway’s vice president of corporate affairs, said: "Time is of the essence. The sport is going to grow. We need to strike this year. This year it is important that we do land on a site and move forward meaningfully so we can hopefully start construction next year."

International Speedway anticipates the track will take two years to design and build, and cost between $150 million and $225 million. An economic study done for the company by the Arizona State University School of Business predicts a speedway in this state will generate $26 million sales and property tax revenue each year.

Economic development councils in Snohomish, Kitsap, King and Thurston counties are funding a similar study. That report is due in three weeks.

In the meantime, business and political leaders in Snohomish and Kitsap counties are competing for International Speedway’s attention, using Friday’s hearings to boast of their respective regions and needle their colleagues.

"Kitsap County is beautiful," began state Sen. Paull Shin, D- Mukilteo, "but our county is much better for racetracks."

Sen. Val Stevens, R-Arlington, championed the cause. "I haven’t heard any negatives," she said. "They are environmentally friendly and family friendly."

Monroe Mayor Donetta Walser reminded lawmakers that the Evergreen Raceway is in her city. "Racing is in our blood," she said. "I want to see it financially, but the people in my community just want it because they’re race fans."

Several residents who back the speedway attended Friday’s hearings.

Jim Hill of Smokey Point said he and his wife are big race fans who flew to Phoenix in September for a race. "Marysville and Arlington don’t have much of an identity other than Boeing," Hill said. "This will give the community an identity. Whatever (International Speedway) decides to go, it will pay off for the state."

Kendall also hit on that theme, saying Snohomish County will benefit in one way or another, as long as International Speedway chooses Washington for its new track.

International Speedway "is really waiting to see what the Legislature will do," Kendall said. "I would encourage people to talk to their legislators if you want to see this in Washington state."

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.