City might stop Bruton’s plans

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. While pledging loyalty to auto racing, Concord City Council members voted unanimously Monday to halt construction on a drag strip that's being built at the Lowe's Motor Speedway complex.

Residents told council members they were worried about noise.

The Monday night session was a special meeting called by city officials who said they weren't getting data from Smith's company, Speedway Motorsports, to show how loud noise from the drag strip would be. Speedway Motorsports representatives didn't provide noise data at the meeting, however.

"The burden is on them," Padgett said.

He said council members could reverse the decision if the company provides them with more noise information.

"This is a way we can protect our citizens and put us in charge of the decision-making," Padgett said.

09/27/07 The Concord (NC) City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday to consider stopping SMI Chair & CEO Bruton Smith from “adding a drag racing strip to the motorsports complex" at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Charlotte Observer