"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
The checkered flag has been waved!
The NASCAR Hall of Fame has crossed the finish line!
After 3 years of waiting, the Hall is now open.
Exhibits...memorabilia...interactive games...
It's a packed place.
One of the most popular features so far is this track.
It's built at the same angle as real ones.
Visitors from all over get to stand on those famous curves from Indy to Talladega.
With the ever-changing exhibits, organizers have publicly stated they expect repeat fans.
That's something we like to hear.
It's nice to have the tourist attraction -- but the way to make real money is by having people visit more than once.
There does seem to be some creativity with getting people in the door.
For the Sprint Cup Race in late May...buses at the Speedway shuttled fans to the Hall of Fame.
At three-dollars-and-fifty-cents a ticket, it got lots of extra bodies through the turnstiles.
The Hall of Fame received 10-thousand visitors in its opening week.
2-thousand walked in days later for the induction of the first class.
We understand these are special events, and these few weeks have been a unique time for NASCAR in Charlotte.
But we're pleased to see successful days so far.
We know it's early on, but NASCAR Hall of Fame, congratulations on a good beginning.
We hope you continue to live up to the hype and the public dollars we've invested.
Tell us what YOU think. SpeakOut@wbtv.com.
