CHARLOTTE,NC--Fast cars mean big money, motorsports is a $5 billion dollar industry in North Carolina and $4 billion is going directly into the Charlotte economy. NASCAR's footprint in the Queen City is hard to miss with its shiny office tower and Hall of Fame.
With 450 motorsports companies calling the Charlotte area home, there are jobs to be had and more to come. "It's going to be bigger because you know that technology is changing rapidly, the pace car for NASCAR is a hybrid," said Dr. Ahmed Soliman Director of the North Carolina Motorsports & Automotive Research Center.
It's fitting that new technology leads the way because efficiency, the environment and safety are the main parts of racing's engine. The demand for a highly skilled work force in NASCAR has made UNC Charlotte a hub for those looking to get into the industry. The school has over a hundred students in the motorsports program.
"I mean technology is always changing in that so it's kind of exciting to see what I have to look forward to after graduation," said John Hilliker a UNC Charlotte Junior. He came all the way from Montana to study in Charlotte. He's one of nearly half of the students in the program who are from out of state. "It was an easy choice for me because I was ready to be fully immersed in racing and Charlotte is definitely the center of motorsports in America," said Hilliker.
Nearly 20 thousand people work in the industry in the Charlotte region and the pay's not too shabby either, with an average of $70 thousand dollars. "As technology expands in the NASCAR industry so does the motorsports program at UNC Charlotte. By 2012 construction will be complete on a 15 thousand square foot building which will hold state of the art research equipment. Technology like a water tunnel helps engineers develop more aerodynamic vehicles, research that not only helps NASCAR but the way your car drives too.
Race fans are keeping cash flowing through the Charlotte economy at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where fans can check out a little piece of history while spending money on hotels, restaurants and entertainment, without NASCAR's presence here in Charlotte none of that would be possible. "Ten years from now when people are here past our time, seventy two years down the road we hope they'll see the same attraction in Charlotte that the folks in Cooperstown see with the baseball hall of fame," said Winston Kelley Executive Director at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
That attraction is already turning into dollars. By 2014, the hall of fame will bring in 121 events an economic impact of $245 million dollars for Charlotte. The National Rifle Association booked the hall solely because of NASCAR. "The National Rifle Association and NASCAR fans are one and one, we really think the partnership goes hand and hand, it's all about America and patriotism and enjoying everything in Charlotte," said N.R.A. spokesperson Rachel Parsons.
The American Bus Association is booked for 2013. "The addition of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and some of the other attractions in the city make it a world class place for our convention to be held," said American Bus Association President and CEO Pete Pantuso.
One of the most popular sports in America, rebooting Charlotte through jobs, technology and entertainment.
