Jackson, Mississippi Mayor: “NASCAR has interest in building a race track here”
Jackson City Council Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba has asked the council to double the tourist tax for the area. An increase from 1% to 2% would bring in an estimated $3.5 million in additional tax revenue.
The meeting took place on Dec. 21. It was supported by most of the council members. However, they decided to hold off an official vote until they had everyone on board.
What would the city do with the extra revenue?
“Well, actually, there is no concrete plan right now,” Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO and President Wanda Wilson told the Jackson free press.
The mayor made it clear that they have no concrete plans, at this time. However, the mayor also said the NASCAR idea is on the table.
“NASCAR has interest in building a race track here,” Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba told the press.
The new tax would bring in an estimated $7 million. A NASCAR track in Phoenix, AZ is currently being remodeled. The reconfiguration of the International Speedway corporation NASCAR track comes at a price tag of $178 million.
The current budget is set at 1% which brings in $3.5 million.
ISC currently runs 12 active NASCAR tracks used in the premier series of the NASCAR ladder system. They also run Talladega Superspeedway, the nearest to Jackson, Mississippi.
Speedway Motorsports Inc runs another 8 tracks on the NASCAR schedule.
There’s no clear word on which “NASCAR” is interested in hosting a race in Mississippi. That could mean the sanctioning body itself, ISC, Speedway Motorsport Inc or a sole individual within those divisions.
