Kendrick Meek: ‘Speedweeks’ in Daytona Beach Bring Jobs, Economic Activity to Region
Daytona Beach, FL - Speaking before reporters hours before the start of today's NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Daytona Beach, U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek, sponsor of driver Mike Wallace's #01 race car, highlighted the critical role the racing industry plays in Florida's economy.
"Every person in this community is breathing a sigh relief," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. "Speedweeks 2010 is producing jobs and helping revitalize economic life in this area, and NASCAR Nation is fueling that recovery here in Daytona Beach."
"Florida's racing communities are no different than any other community in this state. For too long we have known job losses and economic pain. We hear about recovery taking place in other parts of the country, but don't see it in Florida. Protecting and creating new Florida jobs is the priority and my fight is to put our families first," Meek added.
Kendrick will attend today's race with his wife, Leslie, daughter Lauren, 15, son Kendrick Jr., 12, and Miriam Sexton, a Ft. Myers resident who won an online contest on www.KendrickMeek.com to join the Meek family, driver Mike Wallace and his J-D Motorsports #01 Chevrolet Team to watch today's NASCAR Nationwide Series race live from pit road.
Ms. Sexton contributed $5 online to Kendrick Meek's campaign and is a retired clinical psychologist originally from Massachusetts. Sexton told the Ft. Myers News-Press, "I support him so I thought why not take a chance. I never dreamed I'd win."
The Kendrick Meek for Senate logo will appear on the hood, rear quarter panel and deck lid of the Mike Wallace #01 Nationwide Series car at Daytona Beach. On the race car's rear panel, spectators of the race and viewers on television will see signage to text WIN to 35736 and join Kendrick Meek's mobile text message program.
A longtime NASCAR supporter, Kendrick Meek attended NASCAR's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2007, and he also attended the final NASCAR Sprint Cup race of 2009 at the same track.
In the Florida state legislature and now in Congress, Meek sponsored legislation supporting this Florida industry, including the recently passed tax extender package that includes the 7-year accelerated depreciation schedule for motorsports entertainment complexes that cleared the House of Representatives in late 2009. The legislation will have a positive direct economic impact in the Daytona Beach area and throughout racing communities in Florida.