NASCAR is big business when it comes to tourism and the economy.

When a race comes to a track, it can increase the population of an area by three or four times (example, Talladega has a population of around 25,000 people, but on race weekends it grows to over 100,000 with fans, crews, drivers, and NASCAR officials.  Oh, and don’t forget the camera and broadcast crews),

A group of legislators in Virginia – home to two iconic short tracks – have formed a NASCAR Caucus that is designed to highlight that economic and cultural impact on the area.

Martinsville Speedway hosts two races each year with a third Virginia race at Richmond Raceway; and while technically in Tennessee, Bristol Motor Speedway is very close to the Virginia border – the city of Bristol straddles both states with the state line running through the middle of town.

The Caucus is designed to ensure that Virginia, “continues supporting the facilities that host major NASCAR events,” with a goal of bringing “lawmakers together around policies that help sustain those events and the tourism activity they generate.”

The paperclip half-mile track that is Martinsville is as old as NASCAR itself; opening in 1947 and hosts two races each season.  Martinsville is also the home of the $2 hot dog and on race weekends The Hot Dog Stand sells thousands of hot dogs.  Crews even keep a running count of how many hot dogs are consumed over the weekend!

Not quite as old, the ¾ mile track of Richmond Raceway has been a staple of the NASCAR racing circuit.

Race weekends bring thousands of fans to the area filling the various accommodations for several miles around the area.  Race officials, broadcasting and camera crews, and race teams also fill hotels and other short term rentals; as well as, eat in restaurants, purchase souvenirs, and so forth; all adding to the local economy.

Lawmakers who are a part of the caucus note that having a dedicated group that can focus on NASCAR events will help to ensure that the impact of races on the economy remains a priority when crafting policy in Richmond.

Races at Martinsville and Richmond are more than just cars running around the tracks; they are traditions that have been passed down for generations…and will continue for generations longer.