Washington reps need a NASCAR education (cont'd)

The concerns he has about ISC are understandable. A billion-dollar corporation, there are legitimate questions about how much they are willing to put into construction of a Seattle-area racetrack versus how much they ultimately will pull out of it, and what kinds of risk vs. reward scenarios face the area taxpayers.

But ISC has said it will foot roughly half the projected $368 million construction cost and all cost overruns. Under the current proposal, the state's share would be paid through bonds -- which ISC contends would be more than covered by sales taxes paid by out-of-state fans who will visit the track.

Larry Seaquist

Seaquist opposes ISC deal, not sport

Washington state Rep. Larry Seaquist was a guest on Sirius NASCAR radio to explain his comments regarding the building of a racetrack in his state.

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It sounds like this proposal at least could be the start of some intelligent debate about the pros and cons of building a racetrack.

And, yes, Larry, folks in NASCAR are quite capable of intelligent debate regarding complex issues. You should try it sometime. Maybe you should make a trip to my hometown of Charlotte, N.C., sort of the unofficial home of NASCAR. Last time I checked, we had lots of drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, mechanics, fans and media types living all around the area -- and I personally know of none who keep junky cars in their front yard (we keep 'em around back, Larry, like everyone else).

Some of us are even -- gasp! -- college graduates.

Oh, and as for us rednecks who "would try to slip around the law," that usually only happens on race days around here. Check with Michael Waltrip if you want to know what the consequences can be once the rest of the law-abiding folks catch on.

Speaking of usually law-abiding folks, how about the comments made by Seaquist's pal, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp? He's the guy who slighted NASCAR royalty when he said of visiting Richard Petty: "You mean the guy who got picked up for DUI? He's not a member of the House last time I checked."

Petty, who was in Seattle at the time along with Darrell Waltrip and current driver and Washington state native Greg Biffle on a NASCAR goodwill mission, took the high road when asked about being blindsided by this inaccurate piece of slander.

"I don't drink, OK? I'm not saying I don't run over people when I'm sober," he joked.

When contacted later, Petty said through a spokesman that he didn't want to add any other comments to the budding controversy.

"Richard went to Washington and lent support to ISC. There were some comments made, both in favor of the track and some not," spokesman Jeff Dennison said in a statement. "There was an issue with the Speaker of the House making a comment about Richard. The speaker apologized to Richard and the apology was accepted.

"Hopefully ISC can work with the community to get a track there."

Hopefully Seaquist and Chopp can work together to learn a little more about the rest of the issues facing their constituents before they open their mouths again. Chopp was right about one thing, though -- Petty isn't a member of their beloved House.

He's way too good for that.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.