Please Don't Be This Stupid

My hometown of Concord, North Carolina, has prospered despite losing textile jobs, and more recently, having the large Phillip Morris manufacturing plant phased out. Now, they have taken on Lowe's Motor Speedway, which brings in hundreds of millions of dollars every year. In addition, since most of the race fans are from other parts of the country, LMS brings in hundreds of millions of TOURIST dollars. Meaning, the city gets money without actually having to provide services.

The Concord City Council does not want to let the Speedway's owner build a drag strip. Why? Because it would cause noise pollution. Um, haven't you seen the giant speedway, and the freakin' highway that goes through that part of town? Are you kidding me? Did I miss something? You want to risk millions of dollars because home owners are upset about the noise? What kind of person builds a house next to a speedway anyway?

Here's the article.

LMS owner could file suit against Concord Monday 1:02 PMRelated Stories
LMS owner threatens to move speedway

Rowan County ready to welcome LMS
CONCORD, N.C. -- As NASCAR fans begin arriving on their pilgrimage to Concord for the Bank of America 500, many are wondering if this could be one of the last times they'll see a race in Concord.

Sources close to the speedway said owner Bruton Smith could file a lawsuit against the city Monday in his continuing struggle to build a drag strip near the Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Smith has threatened to move his business elsewhere if the city will not let him build the drag strip.

If LMS moved it would be a blow to race fans like Jim Bowden, who calls LMS his slice of heaven.

"I got goose bumps the other day when I pulled in here," he said.

Bowden drove 18 hours from Ontario, Canada to get a front row camping spot for the upcoming race. He brought food, friends and money -- plenty of money. He laughed when WCNC asked him how much he would end up spending on the trip. He said he'll spend more than $1,000 easily. His friend Paul Turner gave us a rundown.

"We eat in Concord, shop in Concord. Spend quite a bit at the malls," he explained.

Many fans are just learning about the controversy between the city and Smith. They said moving Lowe's out of Concord would be like moving Fenway Park out of Boston -- unthinkable.

"I think it would become a ghost town. It would be nothing," said Bowden.

Fans help drive the local economy bringing money and memories of a track they loved since 1959.

Neighbors said they don’t want the drag strip to be built because of the noise it will create. We've contacted Smith's attorney, but he would not comment on whether or not they will file suit Monday.