NASCAR WCUP: North Carolina Businesses Tune Up Cash Registers for Race Weeks
18 May 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- From cheeseburgers to chocolate malts, Wanda Farabee has served them all. For more than 30 years, the career waitress has served up breakfast, lunch and dinner with a smile.
It's that smile and plenty of hard work that bring in the tips -- the key to her financial security. And while there are good days and bad days for her at Chris' Pit Board Grille in Harrisburg, N.C., each May for two weeks she knows she'll have cash in her pocket.
Located in the shadows of Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte, Chris' Pit Board Grille is a hot spot for race fans -- the restaurant is just one of many area businesses that sees an increase in traffic during Charlotte's Speed Weeks -- the 10-day lead up to the Coca-Cola 600.
Businesses throughout the state feel an economic surge during race weekends. Last year, Lowe's Motor Speedway brought in nearly $100 million for the city of Charlotte. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Speedway at Rockingham had a total estimated economic impact of $52 million for 1999. With more than 40 other race tracks operating throughout North Carolina, auto racing plays an important role in the state's economic success.
"It's so overwhelming," says Farabee, who has waited on race fans for the last five years. "It's hard to think of it in terms of actual numbers. It's just unreal how many people come in. I'm looking forward to it but its definitely overwhelming."
Farabee will work six, 10-hour days during race weeks. There will be extra wait staff, kitchen crew and cashiers to accommodate the increased diners at the Harrisburg restaurant.
From restaurants to race fans, the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame celebrates the rich heritage of North Carolina motor sports and its cultural, economic and social contributions to society. It opened its doors to race fans in 1995 and now welcomes more than 150,000 visitors annually.
A nonprofit museum, the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame is dedicated to all types of racing -- from drag racing to NASCAR. It houses more than 35 cars as well as numerous displays and showcases. Past inductees into the museum's Hall of Fame include Tim Flock (1999), Bobby Allison (1998) and Richard Petty (1997). For more information about the museum, log on to its web site at www.ncarhof.com.
Text provided by Jenny Bonk
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos
and racing art, please visit The Racing Image
Galleries and The
Visions of Speed Art Gallery .