Formula 1 in the Heart of NASCAR Country?Cavan Images / Paul Giamou - Getty ImagesAuto racing has been a major industry in North Carolina for decades, but now the state Legislature has allocated money to determine if a Formula 1 race could potentially be in the Tar Heel state's future.Florida, Texas, and Nevada already host F1 races, and state Rep. Jay Adams believes a 1,200-acre site acquired by a friend in Catawba County, north of Charlotte, North Carolina, "would make a beautiful, natural terrain road course."In the $34 billion budget North Carolina lawmakers passed last month, they included $400,000 for a "new study of the motorsports industry's economic impact," the Charlotte Business Journal reported.AdvertisementAdvertisementRaleigh, North Carolina-based Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting is cataloging the "spending, employment, and spin-off effects of race teams, tracks, suppliers, vendors and related businesses." Sanford Holshouser founding partner Ernie Pearson told the Charlotte Business Journal he planned to complete the report by the end of this year. He said the updated study resulted from conversations he had with Adams, who believes the state "could be a potential future home for a Formula 1 race."Miami already holds an F1 race, as do Las Vegas and Austin, Texas.Clive Mason - Getty ImagesPearson said the Sanford Holshouser study will assess "not just the size and impact of all forms of racing in North Carolina, but also possible expansion.""This is not just about Formula 1. We need an update on NASCAR," Pearson said.The Charlotte region is already home to:AdvertisementAdvertisementNumerous NASCAR teams, including all of the Cup Series organizationsPenske's NTT IndyCar Series teamsHaas F1 headquartersGeneral Motorsports engine facility and technical operations for its Cadillac Formula 1 teamTechnical centers for Ford, GM, and ToyotaIMSA teamsNHRA organizationsLate Model, dirt, and Modified series competitorsThe NASCAR Research and Development CenterNASCAR's multi-million-dollar production facilityMRN and PRN radio networksThe NASCAR Hall of FameThe North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of FameThe World Racing Group that owns and operates the World of OutlawsCharlotte, North Wilkesboro, and Rockingham speedways
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