Second Group Proposes Race Track Complex For Denver Area

A second proposed Aurora, Colorado, racetrack project, led by Oakwood Homes Chair Pat Hamill, emerged Thursday that "would directly compete with an auto-racing complex proposed" by a group led by Schuck Corp. President & CEO Bill Schuck, according to Andy Vuong of the DENVER POST. Hamill said that he is in "active discussions" with ISC and Aurora city officials to "build a mixed-use, regional destination project anchored with a racetrack near Interstate 70 and E-470." Hamill added that his project has been "in the works for two years and would include conference centers, hotels and retail shops." Hamill: "The reality is there will only be one track. No one's going to build a track without NASCAR." Schuck Corp. Chair & Founder Steve Schuck, Bill Schuck's father, said that his firm has had "discussions with ISC in the past." Hamill and Steve Schuck "agreed that the success of their projects is largely dependent on tax incentives proposed" by the Colorado Regional Tourism Act. Vuong notes if that measure is signed into law, sales-tax revenue "generated directly from new attractions, such as a NASCAR track, would be given to developers to help pay off bonds used for construction" (DENVER POST, 5/29). Bill Schuck group spokesperson Gerry Freeman said that the group is "not worried" about ISC's plans, "especially given that ISC has toyed with the idea of building [in Colorado] for several years but has not moved forward on the plan." Freeman added that the group is "looking at building not just a NASCAR-suitable track but a 'western entertainment venue'" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/28).