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Location: Some got six month some got one solid. But me and my buddies all got lifetime here
4,555 posts, read 10,408,012 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sepulgeek
My question is will the HOF bring in people outside of race weekends? I know some locals will go but will people take a vacation just for the HOF and not combine it with a race?
I've been the the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto during the off season. The two or three times I had been there the place was packed. I've heard the same about Cooperstown. I imagine that people spend their seasons actually watching the sport and then the off time visiting that sport's hall of fame.
If I lived within a shot of the Hockey Hall I'd be there at least once a month. It's a complete multimedia experience that goes so far beyond just walls of fame and standing next to trophies. If the NASCAR one does this, which it's supposed to do, it should be enormous for the area regardless of when.
IMO, tourist revenue and job opportunities are a positive for the city.
Personally, I have no interest in it. I went to my first and only race years ago and left after a fight broke out in the stands next to me. The guy in front of me had a radio smashed over his head and I was hit with flying batteries. Not my kinda thing, thank you.
Sounds like a game between the Browns and Steelers
I personally do not care for NASCAR, just don't see the point of racing basically the same cars in circles for hours on end.
Now, if the sport would return to its roots of racing cars VERY similar to what you could buy at the showrooms, I would find that very interesting. Accords swapping paint with Mustangs, & various Dodge RT models. More like an SCCA event and less staged drama.
I certainly would not say NASCAR is exclusively 'redneck' or 'lower class' today.
Just like the NFL, it enjoys a varied fan base across all economic levels.
When I find myself in rural NJ/NY/PA/MA it never fails that when I mention Charlotte someone's face will just light just thinking it's the center of NASCAR's universe and everyone walks around in driving suits. I just do not see my city like that, but that is fine.
I have been to one race at Charlotte Motor Speedway (oops, Lowes Motor Speedway) in 38 years, and that was an IRL event (if I recall correctly).
Now all that being said the NASCAR HOF was another pet project of the uptown crowd. I sure hope it makes money, the white water center is doing so well...
I've been the the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto during the off season. The two or three times I had been there the place was packed. I've heard the same about Cooperstown. I imagine that people spend their seasons actually watching the sport and then the off time visiting that sport's hall of fame.
If I lived within a shot of the Hockey Hall I'd be there at least once a month. It's a complete multimedia experience that goes so far beyond just walls of fame and standing next to trophies. If the NASCAR one does this, which it's supposed to do, it should be enormous for the area regardless of when.
I don't go to NASCAR races and probably never will, but that isn't important as millions of others do. Nevertheless, when I think of the new museums in downtown, I think of field trips from schools all over North and South Carolina. Even senior classes could combine Carowinds and the museums for overnight trips as my son did in Charleston when they came up for Carowinds. Charlotte hotels do really well. Much of the museum business will be from those staying in the hotels regardless of whether they are here for conventions or on vacation. There is quite a history connected with NASCAR roots starting with the moonshine runners in the hills that were so instrumental to today's success of the sport. Many remember the old Robert Mitchum movies about "Thunder in Carolina" and other such movies. They add to the glamour and interest in visiting. I personally see no exctiement of watching cars race around a track a couple hundred times, nevertheless, that is me and I don't really matter that much in the scheme of things. But, I will definately go to the museum and likely bring my visitors in the future. I agree wit you that it will be a enormous addition.
I am from the Northeast and remember being STUNNED back in the day when learning of Nascar's popularity. But... in recent years, Nascar is popping up on Sportscenter... racers are in commercials, etc.
Nascar is changing.... becoming more mainstream. I think it days of being perceived as "redneck" are coming to a close. (Not sure that is a good thing BTW).
Either that or the truth is out: Rednecks are everywhere Yep, NASCAR is everywhere, even in the northeast. Before you know it, there will probably be an openly gay driver.
I think it's great that the HOF is in Charlotte, it makes sense. I think anyone visiting that would tour a race shop would add the hall of fame to the list.
Location: Some got six month some got one solid. But me and my buddies all got lifetime here
4,555 posts, read 10,408,012 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by monkeyboy
Personally, I'm from the Northeast and I just don't get NASCAR, couldn't they have spent the money on a park or improving the roads or something?
Where you're from is completely irrelevant. A major hall of fame will do nothing but bring in huge revenue streams. If Charlotte's smart they can take some of the revenue stream and do just what you're suggesting with money left over.
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