Cabarrus to answer Smith

CONCORD, N.C. -- Two meetings will go a long way in determining the future of Lowe's Motor Speedway.

One was in Raleigh this morning; the other a private meeting held later with speedway owner Bruton Smith.

Cabarrus County leaders are fine-tuning an incentives package they hope will entice Smith to keep the speedway in Concord. An email leaked to the media indicates the package's estimated value reaches nearly $75 million, with road improvements around the speedway topping the list.

Experts agree Smith holds every card, which is why county leaders met with the governor this morning to ask for help. But even if the county and the state give Smith what he wants, he could still walk away.

That's the nightmare that people who met in a county commission closed door meeting Tuesday night hope to avoid.

“North Carolina has a lot to lose if we lose the speedway,” said John Cox, CEO of Cabarrus Economic Development.

The commissioners wouldn’t talk after it was over, but Cox did, even though he would not get into specifics.

”We plan to put a winning package on the table,” he said. “One that he is -- I hope going to have a hard time walking away from".

The package could require a tax increase, but Cox says that is out of his hands.

"I don’t have taxing authority, or power, my job is to move the ball down the field and score a goal,” Cox said.

Wednesday afternoon, Cabarrus leaders will give the proposal to Smith.

"My hope is on Friday that instead of rain we hear a sonic boom and the answer we hear is we’re staying in Cabarrus County North Carolina,” Cox said.

WCNC reporter Richard DeVayne contributed to this report.