GENTLEMEN, start your engines. If Charleston councilman David Higgins, the Upper Kanawha Valley Mayors Association and other leaders of nonprofit Thunder in the Mountains succeed in bringing a NASCAR racetrack to Quincy, it will boost the Kanawha Valley.

Higgins has invited hometown football hero Randy Moss to join the effort - and we hope the superstar accepts.

Moss purchased half-interest in a NASCAR Truck Series racing team, renaming it Randy Moss Motorsports. The truck's number was changed to 81 to match his jersey. The team's first race is Saturday in Kentucky.

Higgins - who has been pushing the proposed Quincy track for years - urged Moss to participate in the plan, which would create a large speedway on a Wal-Mart site near Riverside High School. Such a facility would draw multitudes of race fans to this region, bringing a flood of tourist dollars.

Stock-car racing is a U.S. giant. NASCAR claims to be America's top spectator sport, although some authorities say it's second to professional football. NASCAR sanctions 1,500 annual races in several categories at more than 100 tracks in 39 states, Canada and Mexico. Its races are televised in 150 nations. NASCAR had $3 billion profit last year.

Luring this big-time operation to a Kanawha Valley track would stimulate the local economy and add excitement to community life. We hope Moss uses his national stature to help Thunder in the Mountains succeed.

Higgins has invited hometown football hero Randy Moss to join the effort - and we hope the superstar accepts.

Moss purchased half-interest in a NASCAR Truck Series racing team, renaming it Randy Moss Motorsports. The truck's number was changed to 81 to match his jersey. The team's first race is Saturday in Kentucky.

Higgins - who has been pushing the proposed Quincy track for years - urged Moss to participate in the plan, which would create a large speedway on a Wal-Mart site near Riverside High School. Such a facility would draw multitudes of race fans to this region, bringing a flood of tourist dollars.

Stock-car racing is a U.S. giant. NASCAR claims to be America's top spectator sport, although some authorities say it's second to professional football. NASCAR sanctions 1,500 annual races in several categories at more than 100 tracks in 39 states, Canada and Mexico. Its races are televised in 150 nations. NASCAR had $3 billion profit last year.

Luring this big-time operation to a Kanawha Valley track would stimulate the local economy and add excitement to community life. We hope Moss uses his national stature to help Thunder in the Mountains succeed.