Washington reps need a NASCAR education

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Just when you think the world is getting to be a better place, just when you let a little optimism seep some sunshine into your life, along comes some ignorant politician to remind you that there still are plenty of folks in positions of power these days who don't take the time to think or learn about a subject before opening their fat mouths as if they were experts on it.

Racing fans, meet Rep. Larry Seaquist of Washington state and his buddy, Frank Chopp, a fellow Democrat who happens to be Speaker of the House in Washington and therefore one of the most influential politicians in the state.

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Before throwing Seaquist under the proverbial bus, and rightfully so, for his utterly senseless and stupid comments about NASCAR, it should be noted that this is a man who has done much in his lifetime of which he should be proud. He served as commanding officer on the battleship Iowa for 32 years, for instance.

On his Web site, Seaquist states that he "wants to solve the health-care crises that is crushing our businesses and bankrupting our families." He says he wants to create new industries and wean us off the dependence of foreign oil.

He states: "If we are to thrive in the competitive world of the 21st century, we must leave no citizens on the sidelines."

Unless, of course, they are associated in some way with NASCAR and the sport's push to have a racetrack built in his district just outside of Seattle. By now you've no doubt heard or read of the comments attributed to Seaquist recently, where he underscored his opposition to the track by adding: "These people are not the kind of people you would want living next door to you. They'd be the ones with the junky cars in the front yard and would try to slip around the law."

Asked to explain his comments a few days later on a Sirius radio show (Seaquist declined invitations to speak directly to NASCAR.COM), the deft politician claimed: "I have never said a word against NASCAR fans. I've got voters in my district who are NASCAR fans. I grew up listening to car races myself on the radio. I was going after the International Speedway Corporation, the ISC. That's who I had in mind.

"Now, it's my own fault I wasn't clear enough [about] what I was saying and I apologize to anybody who did take offense. But my concerns are solely about the track corporation and that's because they're trying to come out here, build a track, make a lot of money and leave the taxpayers in the dirt out here."

Easy, Larry. You don't get off that easy.

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.