The study, which was commissioned by the track, concludes that the economic activities surrounding the track create 7,955 jobs for workers throughout the Alabama economy. The economic impact of the superspeedway is equivalent to 11 percent of Alabama's total revenue from tourism.
The study was conducted over several months and used the IMPLAN model, which quantifies the direct and indirect benefits of economic activity. Besides identifying the total economic impact, the study also found that:
--Races and other activities at Talladega Superspeedway result in $149 million in income for workers throughout Alabama each year, benefiting all sectors of the state's economy.
--Each year the track activities produce more than $64 million in revenue for federal, state and local governments. Of the total revenue, state and local governments receive more than $29 million.
--Track operations contribute $231 million toward Alabama's gross state product each year. Referred to by economists as "value added," this is the portion of business revenue that provides compensation to workers and capital income. The superspeedway's "value added" helps to support the drive to create a high-wage economy in the state.
--The total economic impact equates to $88.50 of benefit for every man, woman and child in Alabama.
"Everybody knows that Talladega Superspeedway has a big impact on our state, but these figures demonstrate clearly that the economic impact is dramatic, probably larger than most people would have guessed," Alabama Gov. Bob Riley said.
Even the track, which hosts two major NASCAR race weekends each year, was surprised by the results.
"When we commissioned this study, we had no idea of the results," track president Rick Humphrey said. "These numbers are very compelling, and I'm excited to be a part of this organization and its huge positive impact on the residents of Alabama."
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SIGN HERE PLEASE: Boris Said's goal last Sunday at Watkins Glen was twofold.
First, he wanted to have a strong race in his first NASCAR Sprint Cup ride for Petty Enterprises. Second, he was hoping to get new boss Richard Petty to autograph one of his trademark feathered cowboy hats for him.
A 24th-place finish wasn't what he was looking for.
"I was hoping for a top-10 or top-15 finish so I would get an autographed hat from the King," he said. "But maybe since there are no marks on the car he still might give me one. I sure hope so. It was an honor to drive for the Pettys."
Said, a road racing specialist, was asked by Kyle Petty, Richard's son, to drive his No. 45 Dodge in the road race at The Glen after qualifying was rained out, ruining Said's chance of getting his own car into the event.
"It's tough getting into someone else's car -- it's a little uncomfortable without any real practice," Said explained. "You just don't drive it like you drive your own car. At least I didn't. I was about half the Boris (Sunday). I just drove a conservative race and brought them home a consistent finish with some points.
"If it were my car I would have definitely been more aggressive. Overall, it was a fun day -- not a mark on the car."
Said, a part-time driver on the Cup circuit, said his next race will be Oct. 5 at Talladega.
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WINNING WAYS: Chip Ganassi Racing picked up its 14th victory of the 2008 season last Saturday night when Scott Dixon won the Meijer Indy 300 at Kentucky Speedway.
That's a season record for CGR, which previously had 13 wins in 2007.
Dixon's victory was his sixth of the season, while IndyCar Series teammate Dan Wheldon has added two. Five other wins in 2008 have come from Ganassi's Grand-Am sports car team of Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, while NASCAR drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Dario Franchitti joined those two in winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona in February.
The victory at Kentucky also tied the IndyCar Series record for wins in a season, set by Wheldon in 2005, while he was driving for Andretti Green Racing. Dixon is second on the Ganassi career victory list with 17, trailing only Pruett's 20.
Ganassi's teams have totaled 103 victories since 1994, with 38 of those wins coming since 2006.
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