North Carolina Battles Over State Funded Test Track

Since NASCAR doesn't limit testing on non-sanctioned tracks the state of North Carolina is discussing using taxpayer dollars to build a test-only track to support the huge auto racing industry.

On one hand the Governor says that spending $50 million to support a $1.5 billion industry that supports 10,000 jobs in the state makes good business sense. This would help ensure that the majority of NASCAR teams would stay in the region.

On the other side conservative foundation president John Hood says "It would be impossible to imagine the priority list that would lead you to fund a $50 million racetrack when you have a half-billion structural deficit in the state budget."

We've had similar discussions across the nation about new ballparks, hockey arenas and football stadiums but this is the first time that I'm aware of public funding for a pure test facility. Check out the entire interesting piece from the Charlotte Observer's ThatsRacin.com.