Figure out a way to get NASCAR out of the pits

International Speedway Corp.'s attempt to build a racetrack in Washington is running on fumes. ISC never got out of the garage for its pitch in Snohomish County, and has received a lukewarm response in Olympia and Kitsap County since the corporation proposed a track there last summer.

It is unfortunate. Politicians should seriously consider an ISC track, which could host the sport's highest level of racing — the NEXTEL Cup. ISC should sweeten the deal, and re-examine other locations throughout the state.

ISC, which is used to communities falling before its bumpers, might not even wait until next year's legislative session before pulling out of Washington. ISC is taking a hard look at whether racing in Washington is worth the effort politically and financially. ISC plans to hold a legislative work session in Olympia at the end of May or beginning of June.

"What we are trying to determine is how much energy is out there for this project," said Grant Lynch, the project's leader for ISC. "We've been pleasantly surprised, but what we would like to know, is there going to be energy there next year?"

The work session will be a good ol' back-slappin' salute to a sport that has sped from its Southern roots, capturing fans from New Hampshire to California. Legislators should not be fooled by the endearing testimonials slathered before them; neither should they dismiss what they hear.

ISC has done the groundwork legislators blasted the Seattle SuperSonics for not doing. The Sonics turned off Olympia when they floated an air ball of a proposal in which owners offered to pay nothing, then threatened to sell the team if they do not get their way.

At the other end of the political spectrum is ISC, which worked hard behind the scenes, and has a much better proposal than the Sonics. ISC would pay $179 million of the $345 million construction bill for the track. The bonds would be paid off from admission fees and a ticket sales tax.

ISC should seriously reconsider its site, though. Kitsap County, geographically the state's smallest but densest, is not an ideal place for a nearly 950-acre track that will seat 83,676. The site is accessible only by the two-lane Highway 3. The many thousands of fans in their motor homes would stuff the ferries from Edmonds to Kingston and the Seattle runs to Bainbridge, Bremerton and Southworth. The land routes across the Narrows Bridge would not fare much better.

Race enthusiasts should look to South King County with its many highways and disappearing open land, or other sites in Eastern Washington, where the weather is better suited to racing and land could be had near major interstates.

Ron Covey, Moses Lake's mayor and longtime NASCAR fan, said nobody has been talking about Eastern Washington. He said there are obvious advantages for a track east of the Cascades, but ultimately, the wants of ISC and NASCAR eliminate his town.

"I don't know that we have what we would need in this area," Covey said.

Lynch echoed this sentiment, saying that his company's plan is to target major markets where there are plenty of hotel rooms and easy access for corporate sponsors.

"We wanted to be within 40 or 50 miles of a major media market, which means you have to be by Seattle or Portland," he said.

That said, there are many benefits to Eastern Washington. Technology has made the world a much smaller place, and there is no question an Eastern Washington track would be sold out. NASCAR fans will drive ridiculous distances to watch their favorite drivers.

Moses Lake, Spokane and the Tri-Cities are all located on major interstates, and have airports that could handle the corporate big-wigs who fly in for races.

If ISC is determined to find a home in Washington it has to sweeten the deal by offering to pay more, guarantee a NEXTEL Cup race, and look at other sites outside Kitsap County.

Washington's leaders should also seriously consider a way to make NASCAR happen. The sport is flourishing, unlike many professional sports with unrealistic business models, and could be a valuable corporate and entertainment addition for Washington.

Ryan Blethen's column appears regularly on editorial pages of The Times. His e-mail address is rblethen@seattletimes.com