The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "NASCAR" ...
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Hard Driving: The Wendell Scott Story
"The book reports how Bill France's political and business alliances with influential segregationist politicians helped NASCAR to grow into the multi-billion-dollar, family-owned corporation that today controls one of the country's most popular sports."
Tags: NASCAR; Bill France, Sr.; Wendell Scott;
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Bruton's $800 Million Incentive
Bell takes a look behind the scenes to see how a billionaire NASCAR track owner was able to get "$80 million in incentives from local officials after he threatened to move his racing complex."
Tags: NASCAR; city government; tax payer money; incentive; Bruton Smith; public officials; money
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High Price of Blight
This investigative story focuses on a tax scheme called tax-increment financing (TIF) that was developed in California to help "blighted, economically depressed" neighborhoods. Currently, however, the law is being used in Texas to give tax breaks to huge corporations such as RadioShack, Pier One, Cabela's and NASCAR so that they will build in Fort Worth or remain if they are already there. Furthermore, none of the businesses are being built in blighted or depressed areas.
Tags: FOIA; TIF; tax-increment financing
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NASCAR turns corner: Safer, more subdued
"A USA Today analysis shows there were 14% fewer accidents and spinouts this year in the Winston Cup Series than in 2001 and accidents declined at 14 of the 23 tracks."
Tags: NASCAR; auto racing; accidents; driving; car racing
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Racing Safety
An Orlando Sentinel investigation reveals that the NASCAR auto racing league has made few safety changes to combat a recent spate of driver deaths from violent head injuries. A week after the Sentinel's initial series ran, NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt died of similar head injuries during the final lap of the Daytona 500. The Sentinel continued its investigation into NASCAR and its history of drivers dying from violent head injuries.
Tags: NASCAR; Dale Earnhardt; head injuries; auto racing; autopsy records; deaths; sports; safety; automobiles
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Death at the track: Racing's Human Toll
An Observer investigation found that at least 260 people (including children and spectators) across the United States died in auto racing since 1990. The study scrutinized the main reasons: fences and barriers fail regularly, potentially dangerous drivers are allowed to race, head and neck injuries killed at least half the drivers, and inadequate rescue measures. After conducting more than 400 interviews plus newspaper and Internet searches, the Observer documented 260 deaths in all levels of U.S auto racing - from premier Winston cup and Indy car events to dirt-track races. Most deaths occurred at the small tracks. An Observer survey of track officials showed that few speedways inspect more than basic safety items of the racing cars. The fragmentation of the racing world and its players' fears of lawsuits have hindered collaboration and unity that could raise the level of safety.
Tags: death; sports; drivers; spectators; road accidents; survivors; safety standards; NASCAR; CART (Championship Auto Racing team); IRL (Indy Racing League); ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America); life insurance; Lowe's motor speedway; CAR