From today's Charlotte Observer Editorial Page Blog:
The Jeff Gordon Expressway?
Name a stretch of Interstate 85 after a race car driver? We say that gets a green flag.
Taylor Batten
Taylor Batten
Posted: Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011
Stretches of interstates are often named for aging politicians. But race car drivers? If Jeff Gordon drives 190 mph, does that mean you and we could go 190 mph on the Jeff Gordon Expressway?
I-85 from the Charlotte city limits to the Mecklenburg-Cabarrus County line could soon officially be named just that. Mecklenburg commissioners are scheduled to vote tonight for a resolution that would ask the N.C. DOT to post signs all along the route carrying the Sprint Cup Series driver's name.
NASCAR officials came to Mecklenburg County with the idea. They say he deserves recognition for recently winning his 85th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and for his charitable work in Mecklenburg and the state. Gordon, 40, is the third-winningest driver in NASCAR history and lives in Mecklenburg County. He won his first NASCAR race in 1994 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The commissioners' resolution says Gordon's foundation has raised more than $7 million for children's charities, particularly to help kids with cancer.
We're all for it. We love former DOT board member Seddon "Rusty" Goode and former Gov. Jim Martin, but maybe it's time to give notable names outside politics some road recognition as well.
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/10/18/2701093/the-jeff-gordon-expressway.html#storylink=misearch#ixzz1b8X9Vt3G
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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
