A JOINT RESOLUTION encouraging nascar to retain the current five winston cup races in this state, two at north carolina speedway and three at lowe's motor speedway, and commemorating nascar and its pioneers as NORTH carolina is the stock car racing capital of the world.
Whereas, "The Rock", the local name of The North Carolina Speedway, began as a dream of several local businessmen in the early 1960s; and
Whereas, North Carolina Speedway opened October 31, 1965, and was rebuilt in 1969; and
Whereas, today, the 1.017‑mile superspeedway has become one of the most popular stops on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division schedules; and
Whereas, The Rock currently hosts two NASCAR Winston Cup Series races: the Subway 400 in February and the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 in November; and
Whereas, located in the heart of stock car country, North Carolina Speedway is most noted for its fan‑friendly atmosphere and Southern hospitality; and
Whereas, Richmond County, site of The Rock, is the fifth most economically depressed county in the State; and
Whereas, loss of a single NASCAR Winston Cup race at the North Carolina Speedway would reduce the speedway's economic impact on the region a minimum of $25 million per year; and
Whereas, the net decrease in tax revenue collections for the State and local governments would be significant; and
Whereas, Lowe's Motor Speedway opened in June of 1960 as Charlotte Motor Speedway; and
Whereas, that year saw the first running of the World 600 (now the Coca‑Cola 600) and the National 500 (now the UAW‑GM Quality 500); and
Whereas, those two races have been run at Lowe's Motor Speedway every year since; and
Whereas, the Winston All Star race has been run at Lowe's Motor Speedway every year since 1987; and
Whereas, loss of a single NASCAR Winston Cup race at Lowe's Motor Speedway would reduce the speedway's economic impact on the State of North Carolina a minimum of $80 million per year; and
Whereas, this loss would also result in a significant decrease in jobs and tax revenue collections for the State and local governments, in addition to the speedway itself; and 
Whereas, job losses would occur in the local hotel, restaurant, retail and racing‑related businesses in the vicinity of Lowe's Motor Speedway, estimated at 600 positions; and
Whereas, the net decrease in tax revenue collections for the State and local governments would be in excess of $3.2 million per year; and
Whereas, motorsports is becoming big business and its need for engineering professionals is increasing, and to that end the State of North Carolina has funded the William States Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte to offer a concentration in Motorsports Engineering; and
Whereas, more NASCAR teams are located in North Carolina than in any other state, and North Carolina is the auto‑racing capital of the United States; and
Whereas, after World War II, stock car racing evolved as a sport in the foothills and Piedmont of North Carolina, quickly becoming one of the deepest traditions in North Carolina popular culture; and
Whereas, several world‑class tracks stretch across the State and provide fans a chance to watch the legends of the sport every year; and
Whereas, North Carolina was the birthplace or home of such NASCAR legends as the late Dale Earnhardt and the late Lee Petty, and the General Assembly desires to commemorate their memory; and
Whereas, NASCAR has expanded to a national sport; and
Whereas, discussions have been had about moving one or more NASCAR races out of North Carolina; and
Whereas, to be true to its roots, NASCAR should maintain a maximum racing presence in North Carolina; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The North Carolina General Assembly encourages NASCAR to retain the two Winston Cup Series races at North Carolina Speedway and the three Winston Cup Series races at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
SECTION 2.  The North Carolina General Assembly commemorates the pioneers of NASCAR, such as the late Lee Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the governing body and officers of NASCAR.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.