GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1301

–––––––––––––––––––- 
Sponsors: Representative Lee.

–––––––––––––––––––- 
Referred to:  Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

–––––––––––––––––––- 

May 7, 1993

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF LINDSEY GUY DEWITT AND RECOGNIZING NORTH CAROLINA AS THE NASCAR STOCK CAR RACING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
Whereas, on October 7, 1990, Richmond County lost one of its most prominent citizens with the death of Lindsey Guy DeWitt; and
Whereas, Lindsey Guy DeWitt was born on March 23, 1912, in Camden, South Carolina, to Jesse Sterling DeWitt and Hattie Ward DeWitt; and
Whereas, in 1924, Lindsey Guy DeWitt moved with his family to Ellerbe, North Carolina; and
Whereas, Lindsey Guy DeWitt graduated from Ellerbe High School in 1928; and
Whereas, Lindsey Guy DeWitt married Carrie Bowles in 1935, and from their marriage two daughters, Jo and Nancy, were born; and
Whereas, Lindsey Guy DeWitt was a successful entrepreneur in Richmond County, where he was owner and president of L.G. DeWitt Trucking Company, Textile Motor Freight, North State Orchards, and numerous other business ventures; and
Whereas, Lindsey Guy DeWitt helped to organize the Richmond County Bank, and, for a time, had the distinction of being the largest peach grower in the world; and
Whereas, in 1965, Lindsey Guy DeWitt was among a group of business people who joined together to complete the construction of the North Carolina Motor Speedway in Richmond County; and
Whereas, Lindsey Guy DeWitt was president of the Richmond County facility from 1972 until his death in 1990; and
Whereas, Lindsey Guy DeWitt's involvement in motor sports led to the formation of his own NASCAR racing team, DeWitt Racing Enterprises, in 1966; and
Whereas, in 1973, Lindsey Guy DeWitt's racing team won the Winston Cup Championship and in 1975, his racing team won the Daytona 500; and
Whereas, John Sears of Ellerbe was the first driver for the racing team and former Grand National Champion Benny Parsons, also of Ellerbe, later became the driver; and
Whereas, in 1975, Lindsey Guy DeWitt became president of the Atlanta International Raceway and guided it out of bankruptcy; and
Whereas, Lindsey Guy DeWitt played an important role in the growth of NASCAR stock car racing; and
Whereas, today, NASCAR stock car racing is the fastest growing spectator sport in the United States; and
Whereas, the Winston Cup Races are held annually in Rockingham, Charlotte, and North Wilkesboro; and
Whereas, the Coca-Cola 600, held annually on the last Sunday in May at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, attracts 180,000 spectators, more than any other spectator sport with the exception of the Indianapolis 500 held on the same day; and
Whereas, in the late 1980s, a study conducted by North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Department of Commerce concluded that motorsports contributed $500,000,000 to the State's economy; and
Whereas, today, that figure has climbed to over one billion dollars; and
Whereas, over 75% of the equipment used in stock car racing is produced and sold in North Carolina; and
Whereas, over 70% of the top Winston Cup stock car teams are headquartered in North Carolina; and
Whereas, over 75% of the Grand National stock car teams are based in North Carolina; and
Whereas, stock car racing has created thousands of new jobs for North Carolinians;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Lindsey Guy DeWitt and expresses the deep gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and service to his community and State.
Sec. 2.  The General Assembly wishes to recognize North Carolina as the NASCAR Stock Car Racing Capital of the World and encourages the citizens of this State to attend stock car racing events held in North Carolina.
Sec. 3.  The General Assembly expresses its sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Lindsey Guy DeWitt for their loss.
Sec. 4.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Lindsey Guy DeWitt.
Sec. 5.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.