IndyCar race in Jefferson Parish proposed

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Gov. Jindal announces plans for IndyCar race in Jefferson Parish

By Jed Lipinski, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on May 05, 2014 at 4:46 PM, updated May 05, 2014 at 5:28 PM

Gov. Bobby Jindal announced Monday (May 5) that IndyCar, an American-based racing series, is developing plans for a race to be held at NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale in 2015.

Jindal, speaking between two cherry-red race cars at NOLA Motorsports Park, said the event would be known as the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana and could attract up to 80,000 spectators over the course of the three-day event. He estimated the direct economic impact of the event could be about $100 million over a three year period.

Should the Legislature approve the proposal, Jindal said, the state will provide $4.5 million to NOLA Motorsports Park for improvements to the facility and the track. Mark Miles, the CEO of IndyCar, said the funds would go toward increasing the safety of the course while also adding turning zones to make the race more exciting and, in turn, drawing new fans to the sport.

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