The state of Oregon and Kitsap County in Washington don’t think the checkered flag has been waved regarding a proposed NASCAR racetrack site in the Pacific Northwest.
Officials for both say they believe they still are in the running, even though Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon hinted Thursday that International Speedway Corp. favors Marysville as the preferred site for a NASCAR track.
Reardon expects ISC to make the announcement on Monday. The track, which would seat 75,000 fans and be built on a 600-acre site near Smokey Point, is expected to cost about $300 million.
Kim Shade of the Port of St. Helens in Oregon said Friday that reports that the Marysville site has been chosen are just rumors. The port has been supporting efforts by the Oregon Sports Authority to get a racetrack in that state.
St. Helens officials scheduled a meeting with ISC officials earlier this month, and have been preparing a traffic feasibility study, Shade said. But Tom Valley, ISC’s director of corporate development, missed the meeting, flying back to Florida because of a hurricane.
While Oregon officials apparently hadn’t been notified that ISC planned to be in Everett on Monday, they were confident the company would have notified them if they were out of the running, Shade said.
Meanwhile, David Porter, executive director of the Kitsap County Economic Development Council, told The Sun newspaper in Bremerton that ISC called him Friday, but he would not discuss details of the conversation.
Also, Kitsap County Commissioner Patty Lent said that although ISC seems to be leaning toward a site off I-5, nothing is certain.
For instance, its fourth choice wound up being the site for the track in Kansas City, Kan., “so it’s not always the first they decide on,” she said.
Likewise, in Illinois, Chicagoland at Joliet wasn’t among the top choices initially.
“If the state is selected, we will be winners” and Kitsap can still benefit, Lent said.
She also said ISC called Wednesday to discuss state issues such as development and financing regulations.
Lent said she doesn’t regret efforts to woo the NASCAR track. The information gathered can be used for other business ventures and economic development.
As for ISC, its offices in Florida were closed Friday and officials unavailable for comment because of Hurricane Jeanne, which was approaching the eastern coast of the state. The hurricane could affect when and if ISC officials will be in Everett on Monday, officials said.
Also, track opponents said they will continue efforts today to keep NASCAR out of Marysville. Members of Snohomish County Citizens Against a Racetrack will hand out information 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at a booth at the Arlington Airport during Airport Appreciation Days.
Angela D. Smith of The (Bremerton) Sun contributed to this report.
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