On Friday, NASCAR announced that they will have a second race day at Texas Motor Speedway.

“I am thrilled that the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series has selected the Texas Motor Speedway for another amazing race,” commented Rep. Michael Burgess (TX-26) upon hearing the news.

The NASCAR races bring international recognition to Fort Worth as well as a massive influx in tourism. Traditionally, the Texas Motor Speedway brings in over 200,000 race fans into North Texas which, in turn, has an amazing economic benefit for local patrons. The first race, usually held in early April, crowds restaurants, hotels and attractions.

The City of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, and the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with Denton County and the Chambers from Lewisville and Northlake, commissioned an economic impact study to measure the Speedway's contributions to the local economy. That study, released just over a month ago, revealed some truly staggering numbers. Roughly $2 billion in economic activity generated since the Speedway opened in 1997, $214 million estimated in 2004 alone. All these figures were based upon the speedway having one NASCAR NEXTEK Cup Series race each year. The study estimates the value of this second NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race to be nearly $300 million to the region over the next four years.

“I look forward to enjoying the roar of the engines twice a year,” stated Rep. Burgess. “It comes as no surprise to me that NASCAR would want to come back to the 26th District for a second race at Texas Motor Speedway. North Texas has it all.”