The Observer’s Scott Dodd has another important window on Charlotte’s relationship with its supposed partner in the $154 million NASCAR Hall of Fame. City boosters, starting with Pat McCrory on down, have flogged the “NASCAR Valley” name and concept for over a year now. But NASCAR wants nothing to do with the name and will not let the city use it in any official capacity.
Why? Because NASCAR cannot control how it is used, which is another way of saying NASCAR cannot make any money off of the name. So much for all those grand marketing plans, Mr. Mayor.
Better still, it sure sounds like the first thing that the Hall of Fame deal will get Charlotte is another office building Uptown, one that is subsidized by the city of Charlotte to the tune of at least $4 million. The office building component of the Hall might go up first, meaning Charlotte will be paying for a new tourist attraction without any actual attraction to it.
Yep, nothing like being NASCAR’s business partner. Kinda like joining the Mob — you get all kinds of offers you cannot refuse.
