Racing revs up Richmond's economy

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RICHMOND -- To the hotels and restaurants and related businesses in the Richmond area, the three-times-a-year stops made by various Indy and stock car racing organizations are a lot more than a distraction causing numerous traffic jams.

They are a $200 million economic transfusion helping keep the area vibrant.

"There was an independent study done a few years ago that shows that among the two NASCAR weekends we have and the Indy Car race we have in June, they generate $200 million into the area's economy," said Keith Green, public relations director at Richmond International Raceway.

"Now, what's really cool is that the study also showed that for each 1,000 seats we add, that generates an additional $4.3 million each year, every year. So we'll have 5,000 new seats for next year and that's almost $21 million for the area economy," Green said.

Actual attendance is not announced, but it is estimated about 112,000 people attend each of the two Nextel Cup events (last night's race, which has been sold out for weeks, was the 30th consecutive sellout at Richmond for a Nextel Cup race) with about 75,000 going to the Indy race.

There are more than 15,300 hotel rooms in the area and most are sold for the NASCAR events, many stipulating minimum of two-night commitments. There is the usual escalation in rates associated with any major event but usually not to the extent that causes a commotion. However, the Richmond Times-Dispatch yesterday reported one area Days Inn was asking $667 a night for a two-room suite; the normal non-race rate for the same suite was $200 a night.

The NASCAR events are easily the two largest spectator attended events yearly in Virginia. But that doesn't mean they command the most attention in the state.

"The Virginia-Virginia Tech football game, that's our Army-Navy," said one veteran sportswriter from the state. "It may also be the most profitable single event, because alumni come into town several days in advance and spend a lot of money on wining and dining in addition to hotel rooms and trinkets. NASCAR people, they spend two days at the most and buy stuff associated with racing."

A dirty ride

Barenaked Ladies, the Canadian rock 'n' roll band, was the logical group to perform before the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. It was the first time the group had been to a NASCAR event and the band members, who apparently see humor in just about everything around them, made light of their inexperience. Lead vocalist Ed Robertson took a 120 mph pre-race ride around the three-quarter mile track with retired driver Wally Dallenbach and noted thankfully the suit he was wearing was NASA approved and what he left inside could be easily removed by dry cleaning.

Bump & go

Paul Reed Smith Guitars built a custom guitar trophy, costing about $20,000, for the winner of last night's race. It took three months to craft under the direction of Baltimore metal sculptor Karl Saar. ...

Chevrolets captured six of the top seven qualifying positions for the race with Mark Martin's Ford Fusion the only non-GM car. Denny Hamlin led the way in a Joe Gibbs Chevrolet with his third pole of the season and fourth of his career. Dodge has the most poles this season, 12, followed by Chevy's nine and four for Ford. ...

Veteran Michael Waltrip's miserable season continued. He failed to qualify for a Nextel Cup event for the third time this season (he bought his way in for the 600-miler in Charlotte) and is ranked near the bottom. Next season he will be driving for his own team in a Toyota.