NASCAR

Name change for RIR race

Unless you are a die-hard race fan, you may not have noticed that the fall NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway has a new name.

“Gentlemen, start your economic engines”

Lagging attendance, sponsorship losses, and the auto meltdown in Detroit hover over NASCAR, but the Sprint Cup race this weekend at Richmond International Raceway will still have a huge economic impact on the area. There will be as many as 4,000 people working at the raceway complex over the weekend; the traveling vendors are still… Read more »

Hotel bookings in the pits for race weekend

Hotels across the metro region have dropped rates to lure NASCAR fans to Saturday night’s race at Richmond International Raceway. But even at lower prices, hotel managers expect to have plenty of empty rooms. “Quite honestly, I think the economy has really impacted people’s decision to come to the race this year,” said Fritz Schwartz,… Read more »

RIR’s $465 million economic engine

Richmond International Raceway generates $467 million worth of economic activity each year, according to an economic study commissioned by the track.  The study was conducted by the Washington Economics Group of Coral Gables, Fla. The results were announced at a news conference yesterday at the state Capitol.

Local NASCAR expert says sport ok

Local NASCAR expert Dr. Jon Ackley said the sport will continue even if the Big Three go under, but either way major changes are on the way. Ackley is a professor of management at the VCU School of Business and teaches a Business of NASCAR class. He also helps manage a blog about the business… Read more »