The NHRA had better go to ‘Plan B’ for the 24^th event.

NHRA officials had reportedly planned for the new drag strip being constructed by Bruton Smith on the grounds of Lowe’s Motor Speedway outside of Charlotte, NC, to be the site of that extra September date. Gainesville was to be the fallback if it wasn’t done in time.

Charlotte may be the motorsports Mecca but only if you drive in circles. Even the mayor reportedly has a NASCAR tag on his car.

The Concord (NC) County Council reaffirmed their loyalty to auto racing and in the same meeting voted to halt construction on the new drag strip.

The opposition for the drag strip comes from local residents who complain of the added noise a drag strip brings. Smith’s Speedway Motorsports Inc. [SMI] representatives didn’t provide any data on noise for their defense, according to a Charlotte Observer report.

Mayor Scott Padgett has said this decision could be reversed if SMI provides the necessary noise information.

RELATED STORY - INTERVIEW WITH CITY MANAGER

Concord, NC. City Council denies Bruton Smith drag strip

The NHRA had better go to ‘Plan B’ for the 24^th event.

NHRA officials had reportedly planned for the new drag strip being constructed by Bruton Smith on the grounds of Lowe’s Motor Speedway outside of Charlotte, NC, to be the site of that extra September date. Gainesville was to be the fallback if it wasn’t done in time.

Charlotte may be the motorsports Mecca but only if you drive in circles. Even the mayor reportedly has a NASCAR tag on his car.

The Concord (NC) County Council reaffirmed their loyalty to auto racing and in the same meeting voted to halt construction on the new drag strip.

The opposition for the drag strip comes from local residents who complain of the added noise a drag strip brings. Smith’s Speedway Motorsports Inc. [SMI] representatives didn’t provide any data on noise for their defense, according to a Charlotte Observer report.

Mayor Scott Padgett has said this decision could be reversed if SMI provides the necessary noise information.

SMI had begun grading a week ago for the new strip without applying for permits to build the drag strip. Monday’s new ordinance, as voted on by the council, bars drag strips in the area.

Smith threatened to sue the town of Concord last week if his plans were blocked. Today, Smith told WSOC.tv in Charlotte that he’ll ether get the drag strip approved or he’ll move his entire Lowe’s Motor Speedway operation elsewhere in Charlotte.

Smith said that he’s looking for land in Charlotte and not only will build the track, but an airport so that drivers will be able to fly in and out of town.

Concorde City Manager Brian Hiatt said the town had asked SMI for information to better make their decision and it was not received before the meeting. He said the information had been requested weeks in advance but not delivered.

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Hiatt said the opposition comes mainly from the local residents residing near LMS.

“Basically, the council had asked up front for information related to noise studies to determine what kind of impact it had on surrounding properties and whether or not there could be anything done to medicate that noise with any improvements and such,” Hiatt said. “They had also asked for specifics on how many times per year the track would be used and they did not receive any information related to that.  They did decide to consider changing the zoning and had a public hearing and there were most of the people who spoke in favor of changing the zoning were from residential areas.  There were a few from other areas, but the primary region was residential property owners from not only the immediate area but some of them were from a little bit further beyond.”

Currently, three prominent NHRA Pro Stock teams have shops in the Charlotte area – Victor Cagnazzi (Dave Connolly, Jeg Coughlin, Jr.), Ken Black (Greg Anderson, Jason Line) and Barry Grant.

Cagnazzi was unable to attend last night’s meeting but had two members of his team attend in his stead. They were in the minority.

“I think the whole team will eventually see the economic impact this could have on the town and area,” Cagnazzi said. “The one thing this whole area prides itself in is being motorsports friendly. This is the hub of motorsports. To put a halt on something that expands the motorsports venue, to me I think is short-sighted. I think they will all come around and the track will be approved.”

Cagnazzi said that he’s confident SMI has the economic data to present to the council. He questioned whether this decision included the surrounding businesses.

“Whether he’s done that or not, I don’t know,” Cagnazzi said. “They know what’s gone on in Bristol and in Vegas. They know the amount of spectators that use restaurants, hotels and everything else. That track has the infrastructure built up for having venues like this whether it is a race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway for NASCAR or a drag race. There are hotels and shopping malls and such. I can’t imagine that the people who run those businesses wouldn’t want it around. It could provide them an even better opportunity for a return on their investment.”

In the last five years, Indianapolis has become a hotbed for nitro operations basing their operations. If the LMS track is approved, it could create that atmosphere for Pro Stock teams.

“There is the possibility this track could make the Charlotte area to Pro Stock what Indianapolis has become to the nitro teams,” Cagnazzi said. “I’ve always said and Greg [Anderson] has agreed the resources are all here to be able to operate any kind of a gas powered-engine that uses four tires.”

The NHRA was not in attendance at the meeting but provided Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com with an official statement today regarding the council meeting last evening.

The statement read: “Although we are disappointed with the recent city council action, we continue to be optimistic that Bruton Smith, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and SMI can build a drag strip so we can preserve the right to race for NHRA members and drag racing enthusiasts in the greater Charlotte area.  We have said all along that Charlotte would be a great market to offer a full compliment of NHRA's racing programs and we will continue to closely follow the progress being made between the city and SMI.”