A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the memory of William "big Bill" France, Nascar's founder, and encouraging the nascar organization to keep the lowe's motor speedway as the site of the nascar nextel all‑star challenge.
Whereas, William "Big Bill" France was born on September 26, 1909; and
Whereas, Bill France was affectionately known as "Big Bill" among his family and friends; and
Whereas, in 1931, Bill France married North Carolina native Anne B. Bledsoe of the Nathan's Creek Community in Ashe County, and together they had two sons; and
Whereas, in 1934, Bill France and his family moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, where he opened a gas and service station; and
Whereas, Bill France was a stock car race enthusiast and in 1938 promoted the first successful stock car race on Daytona Beach; and
Whereas, Bill France drove in a number of races and in 1940 won the National Stock Car Championship; and
Whereas, in 1947, Bill France founded the National Association for Stock Car Automobile Racing (NASCAR); and
Whereas, in 1949, Bill France established the NASCAR Strictly Stock Division, which later became the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series; and
Whereas, in 1972, Bill France retired as the President of NASCAR; and
Whereas, Bill France was recognized as a leader in accelerating the development of metallurgical advances and aerodynamics, vehicle construction, fire-preventing fuel cells and check valves, tire improvement, roll bar construction, highway traffic pattern studies, seat and shoulder harness design, human studies under stress and fatigue, and wheel and brake design; and
Whereas, Bill France died in 1992 as one of the most influential figures in American automobile racing; and
Whereas, the motorsports industry has greatly impacted the economy in North Carolina; and
Whereas, in 2003, the total economic impact of the motorsports industry in North Carolina was $5.1 billion; and
Whereas, the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL All‑Star Challenge will have an estimated $100 million impact in the Charlotte area and North Carolina; and
Whereas, the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL All‑Star Challenge will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2005, at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord; and
Whereas, the NASCAR NEXTEL All‑Star Challenge race will include all drivers and car owners who have won races in the preceding and current years, active drivers who have won the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship, active drivers who have previously won the NASCAR NEXTEL All‑Star Challenge, and the winner of the NEXTEL open; and
Whereas, one driver from among the top 50 in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver points standing who is not already in the NASCAR NEXTEL All‑Star Challenge will also be selected to participate in the race from the votes cast by NASCAR fans; and
Whereas, past All‑Star Challenge champions include Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jimmie Johnson, and Rusty Wallace and multiple All‑Star Challenge winners Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte, and Davey Allison; and
Whereas, in addition to the race, a number of other activities have been planned for this year's All‑Star Challenge event, including a trophy tour and pit crew challenge; and
Whereas, the NASCAR NEXTEL All‑Star Challenge Trophy Tour will be held May 10 through 19, providing NASCAR fans across the State with the opportunity to view the all‑star challenge trophy and show cars, participate in contests, and interact with NASCAR personalities; and
Whereas, the All‑Star Challenge Trophy Tour will kick off at the State Capitol in Raleigh, then travel to Camp LeJeune, Wilmington, Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, Kannapolis, Greensboro, Asheville, Mooresville, and Concord before arriving at the Charlotte Coliseum on May 19; and
Whereas, the first NASCAR NEXTEL All‑Star Pit Crew Challenge will take place on May 19, 2005, at the Charlotte Coliseum; and
Whereas, during the Pit Crew Challenge individuals and teams will compete in seven head‑to‑head skills competitions designed to showcase the talents of NASCAR's top crew members and identify the top pit crew specialists and overall pit crew; and
Whereas, the All‑Star Challenge has been held for 21 years with the Lowe's Motor Speedway serving as the location of the race for 20 of those years; and
Whereas, the NASCAR organization should keep the All‑Star Challenge at the Lowe's Motor Speedway because it is located in the center of the sport with an overwhelming majority of the NASCAR teams and suppliers located within a 100‑mile radius of the Charlotte metropolitan area; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of William "Big Bill" France, founder of the National Association for Stock Car Automobile Racing, known as "NASCAR."
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly encourages NASCAR to make the Lowe's Motor Speedway the permanent site of the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge.
SECTION 3.  The General Assembly encourages the citizens of this State to support the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL All‑Star Challenge by attending the activities planned for May 10‑21, 2005.
SECTION 4.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the governing body and officers of NASCAR.
SECTION 5.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.