"These are pretty ignorant accusations coming from "educated" people."

Revved up

We're not prejudiced, but we do think our state is the best

Editor, The Times:

I was shocked to read the downright nasty letters from out-of-staters criticizing Washington residents for not wanting a NASCAR track in our area ["Who might be a redneck," Northwest Voices, March 7]. I've never met the bigoted, hate-filled snobs described in those letters.

The fact is, many people here believe in attempting to make as small a carbon footprint as possible by driving less, owning fewer cars, biking/busing to work, recycling and enjoying the wilderness we are blessed to have in this state.

You must consider that NASCAR may just not be a sport that a majority of Northwesterners want to support by building a track in our corner of the country.

Even if the proposed track were built green, the sport itself remains a corporate-logo love-fest, with thousands of gallons of gas gratuitously guzzled only for sport.

Yes, these fans might pump dollars into the local economy when they visit, but they also pump many thousands of tons of carbon into the air just getting here, then spend their dollars lining the pockets of the big shots behind those logos.

I have nothing against any NASCAR fans. I take issue with the sport of NASCAR itself and the pollution, excess and commercialism it embodies.

— Jennifer Clark, Seattle

Our loss is our win

I was blown away that you chose to waste a full letters column in Wednesday's Times on out-of-state people regarding what I think is a majority view here. Specifically, that the (dare I say "vast"?) majority of people of Washington do not support giving precious tax money to help build a NASCAR racetrack within our borders.

We have much higher priorities — like education, health care and protecting our environment.

Frankly, I don't give a rip that the folks in Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alabama or Michigan (and yes, even Newport, Ore.) think we should have a NASCAR track.

Two things seem obvious: The track backers should go to those "fans" and get them to contribute the millions they say they need; or peddle their plans in the aforementioned states.

On the other hand, maybe we can play this up and generate a "boycott Washington" campaign among the NASCAR faithful. Should help keep the traffic down (especially them big pickup trucks) and reduce in-migration.

Now there's a win-win.

— Bill Moritz, Bothell

Southern ban

While some of the criticisms in Wednesday's Northwest Voices were founded, most were unfounded, especially the ones directed toward Washington's citizens. The negative statements that were made about NASCAR came from a few of our leaders, not the citizens, not all of them, anyway.

There are many of us who would welcome a racetrack for the many benefits it would provide.

And the supposed stereotypes we're accused of having of other people? I was amazed and offended by the stereotypes some of these people had of us: Bigoted? Rude? Stupid-assed? Narrow-minded? Screwed up? Glumpish? Maybe a few of us. These are pretty ignorant accusations coming from "educated" people.

We can't help what comes out of the mouths of our leaders and what actions they take, so if you have a problem with them, save it for them; leave the rest of us out of it.

If you're going to boycott us or avoid coming up here because of our apparent snotty attitudes, then that's fine, stay away. We don't need you around anyhow.

— Adam Schmidt, Kirkland

No one's twisting their arm

The indignant letters to the editor regarding NASCAR are great. If NASCAR is such a money-making enterprise, the team owners should have no reservations about funding a track in the Seattle area and carting home all those dollars they'll make.

As somebody once noted, "NASCAR is for that element of society who find professional rasslin' too much of an intellectual challenge."

— Alfred Elliott, Oak Harbor

Squabble without a cause

The debate of whether to allow a NASCAR track in Washington is over and done according to those who wrote letters to the editor on March 7.

In those letters were promises to boycott anything coming out of Washington. Another stated: "I can guarantee you that us dumb, snaggle-toothed, cousin-marrying Alabamians ain't going to load up the pickup and drive up to Seattle to watch a race." One person claimed: "I have never run into a redneck who was more bigoted than people of Seattle"; another stated, "To Richard Petty, I can name 49 other states that would welcome you with open arms!"

All of these reactions were prompted by what two individuals said about the NASCAR fan base. (As an aside, they stereotyped all Washingtonians as bigoted because of statements by two individuals — the very action they were whining about to begin with!)

Since these "loyal fans" would allow an objectionable statement by two individuals to preclude them from watching a NASCAR race in the state of Washington and spending their considerable wealth in Washington, it is clear that building the track is now a dead issue. These loyal fans have, in effect, stated: "If you build it, we will not come!"

Why would we build a track when so many "loyal fans" have already clearly told us they will never spend a dime in our state and will never travel to our state for any reason?

To all who wrote in: Thank you for letting us know how fickle you are with your loyalty to NASCAR and how quickly you can, and will, bankrupt this misadventure if given the chance.

— Kevin Wruck, Marysville

Flipped trying to block

So Speaker of the House Frank Chopp's buffoonery champions again (NASCAR).

Frank does not like concrete racetracks, loud cars, smoke and noise?

I thought Frank loved the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

— Paul Byron Crane, Seattle