October 11, 2007
By Allen Madding

Allen Madding

Several years ago U.S. 19 Dragway outside of Albany, Georgia was constructed on several acres of land positioned far from any houses and with plenty of land to buffer it from disturbing any other property owners. Years went by and various track owners came and went. One track owner sold off some of the track property and a mobile home park was constructed adjacent to the drag strip property. After several years, the residents of the mobile home park began to complain about the noise of the track and a curfew was established for the track’s operations. Many of the competitors at the track questioned how it could be that if the track was there first that the new neighbors could legislate the track’s hours. But the county commissioners made their decision and the track now abides by the ruling.

Much the same, many years ago Middle Georgia Speedway, a half-mile asphalt track located in Byron, Georgia, just outside of Macon was constructed. From 1966 through 1971, NASCAR Grand National Division (which was renamed the Winston Cup Series and then the Nextel Cup Series) competed at Middle Georgia Speedway. NASCAR dropped the track when Winston became the sponsor and dropped a large amount of short tracks from the schedule. The track hosted weekly racing for a while longer, but soon neighborhood’s started springing up around track and the new neighbors began to complain about the noise and lights. Soon the track was struggling financially and pressure from the neighborhood finally closed the track.

Charlotte Motor Speedway was constructed in 1960 in Concord, North Carolina several miles north of Charlotte. Prior to its construction, racing had taken place on a wooden track south of Charlotte in rural Pineville, North Carolina and then on the dirt Southern States Fairgrounds track and at the dirt Charlotte Speedway. When the Charlotte Motor Speedway was constructed in Concord, it was strategically located right next to the highway and away from any residential areas. Over the years the speedway has seen considerable additions, condominiums were added, enormous grandstand additions, a dirt track was added outside the backstretch.

Over the last 20 years, development begun to approach the speedway. The track once sat out by itself, then racing oriented businesses began to construct offices and shops near the track. Concord Mills shopping mall was constructed nearby and development in the area went wild. The once dormant area soon became a hot bed of construction for commercial and residential development.

This year, Bruton Smith and the team at Speedway Motorsports, Inc. decided it was time to add an NHRA drag strip to the complex. And why not? Rockingham had one, Bristol has one, Sears Point has one, and Las Vegas has one. It seemed like a logical step and many wondered why Smith had waited so long to add one at Charlotte. The management developed the plan for the construction, submitted it to the Concord Development Authority for building permits. SMI already owned the land and the land has been zoned for motor sports for years. The drag strip was to be surrounded by the speedway, dirt track and the Concord Airport. But, the new neighbors began to complain when they learned of the new construction concerned about noise. Concord’s city leaders sided with the neighbors and rezoned the property preventing SMI to complete its construction. One has to wonder what these people were thinking when the bought houses close to the Charlotte Motor Speedway. They obviously had to know the speedway’s location as it sits just feet off of the highway. And, how can a municipality change an existing property owner’s zoning? That move is a huge infringement on a property owner’s rights. Can you smell an impending lawsuit?

Bruton Smith has commented that if the city of Concord does not appreciate the revenues it has enjoyed for years generated by the speedway, SMI would locate property outside the county and relocate the entire operation. Smith probably has the right idea. SMI could sell the property to a developer and cover the expenses of moving the track. But it certainly makes one question the precedent being set. If a developer builds homes next to an existing establishment, what gives the new neighbors the right to impact the existing establishment? It happens every day in the United States. Neighborhoods spring up adjacent to airports and then begin complaining about air traffic.

Who’s to blame? I would be inclined to lay it at the feet of the city of Concord. Planning and Zoning Boards are ultimately responsible for long-term planning for development. Residential Zoning should have never been allowed as close to the existing speedway as the city allowed. Instead, the speedway property should have been buffered by Industrial and Commercial zones to prevent this type of situation.

Is Bruton bluffing?

Most who know him will tell you that he is not above moving Charlotte Motor Speedway. SMI certainly could afford to pull off such a venture if they decide it is in their best interest. If he does, the city of Concord can point their wagging finger of blame at no one but themselves.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.