DID WE SUPPORT CHARLOTTE ENOUGH?
Thu, 2007-10-11 10:06
The opposition turned out in force last week for a town council meeting
for the City of Concord. The source of their ire was the potential drag strip
that Bruton Smith has planned to build on the property of his Lowe's Motor
Speedway, located outside of Charlotte, NC.
Donnie Faulkner, proprietor of the Rolling O Store, said he felt an obligation to attend the meeting in defense of drag racing.
"Drag racing could have done a better job of representing itself," Faulkner said of the meeting where opposition to the project attended in an 80-20 majority. "Bruton Smith had one of his representatives there and she did a great job of representing him and the project."
Faulkner said the majority of those residents wouldn't be against the track if they were better informed.
The opposition turned out in force last week for a town council meeting for the City of Concord. The source of their ire was the potential drag strip that Bruton Smith has planned to build on the property of his Lowe's Motor Speedway, located outside of Charlotte, NC.
Donnie Faulkner, proprietor of the Rolling O Store, said he felt an obligation to attend the meeting in defense of drag racing.
"Drag racing could have done a better job of representing itself," Faulkner said of the meeting where opposition to the project attended in an 80-20 majority. "Bruton Smith had one of his representatives there and she did a great job of representing him and the project."
Faulkner said the majority of those residents wouldn't be against the track if they were better informed.
"They are just scared because they don't know any better," Faulkner said. "They've heard all the horror stories like the sounds carry for eight miles and the nitro fumes kill kids. It's bad for the local schools. It sounds like a horror story and it would scare me too. It just isn't true."
Faulkner said he was tempted to speak up but declined.
"I could have spoken up, but I didn't because I wanted to hear what they were saying," Faulkner said. "I kind of see their point but they zoned this to say whatever Bruton wanted to build he was able to. The only stipulation is that he had to stay within his property. It shouldn't matter what he does.
"Basically, they are changing the rules in the middle of the game. It has always been a plan to build a drag strip on the property; it was just never acted on until now."
Pro Stock racer Larry Morgan said Bruton Smith is an asset to drag racing.
"Bruton makes such a class act track and we surely need those facilities," Morgan said. "I know Bruton personally and he tries to do things the right way to better our sport. He's one of the only ones who does try to better our sport. I don't think our own sanctioning body works at it as hard as he does. I think this would be a great thing and would hate to see it get away from him."
Morgan said he doesn't see Monday's city council vote being the end of this debate.
"He'll have a drag strip because I know how he is," Morgan said. "I respect him. He's just trying to better our sport. I know him well enough to know that is what is about with him."
Donnie Faulkner, proprietor of the Rolling O Store, said he felt an obligation to attend the meeting in defense of drag racing.
"Drag racing could have done a better job of representing itself," Faulkner said of the meeting where opposition to the project attended in an 80-20 majority. "Bruton Smith had one of his representatives there and she did a great job of representing him and the project."
Faulkner said the majority of those residents wouldn't be against the track if they were better informed.
The opposition turned out in force last week for a town council meeting for the City of Concord. The source of their ire was the potential drag strip that Bruton Smith has planned to build on the property of his Lowe's Motor Speedway, located outside of Charlotte, NC.
Donnie Faulkner, proprietor of the Rolling O Store, said he felt an obligation to attend the meeting in defense of drag racing.
"Drag racing could have done a better job of representing itself," Faulkner said of the meeting where opposition to the project attended in an 80-20 majority. "Bruton Smith had one of his representatives there and she did a great job of representing him and the project."
Faulkner said the majority of those residents wouldn't be against the track if they were better informed.
"They are just scared because they don't know any better," Faulkner said. "They've heard all the horror stories like the sounds carry for eight miles and the nitro fumes kill kids. It's bad for the local schools. It sounds like a horror story and it would scare me too. It just isn't true."
Faulkner said he was tempted to speak up but declined.
"I could have spoken up, but I didn't because I wanted to hear what they were saying," Faulkner said. "I kind of see their point but they zoned this to say whatever Bruton wanted to build he was able to. The only stipulation is that he had to stay within his property. It shouldn't matter what he does.
"Basically, they are changing the rules in the middle of the game. It has always been a plan to build a drag strip on the property; it was just never acted on until now."
Pro Stock racer Larry Morgan said Bruton Smith is an asset to drag racing.
"Bruton makes such a class act track and we surely need those facilities," Morgan said. "I know Bruton personally and he tries to do things the right way to better our sport. He's one of the only ones who does try to better our sport. I don't think our own sanctioning body works at it as hard as he does. I think this would be a great thing and would hate to see it get away from him."
Morgan said he doesn't see Monday's city council vote being the end of this debate.
"He'll have a drag strip because I know how he is," Morgan said. "I respect him. He's just trying to better our sport. I know him well enough to know that is what is about with him."
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