For others, NASCAR Hall of Fame could be the pits.

• Author: Roush, Chris
• Position: Winston Cup collectibles

When R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. ended its 33-year sponsorship of NASCAR's top series in 2003, Will Spencer didn't wait. The owner of Winston-Salem-based marketing and design company JKS Motorsports asked the cigarette maker, one of his clients, for its racing memorabilia. "Most of the stuff was going to end up in a dumpster or a closet," he says. "Such a deep-rooted piece of what NASCAR is today came from Winston and R.J. Reynolds."

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Trophies, photos, cars and other NASCAR-related items are part of the Winston Cup Museum, which he opened in May in a refurbished auto dealership. It is the latest of more than a half-dozen museums, halls of fame and team stores in the state that have stock-car-racing displays. Each draws thousands of fans annually.

With NASCAR considering Charlotte as the site of its official hall of fame, however, some wonder how these attractions will fare. "They could easily get lost in the shuffle," says Larry DeGaris, director of the Center for Sports Sponsorships at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. "But that's only if the tourism board and NASCAR collectively allow that to happen."

John Sweeney, who runs the sports-communications program at UNC Chapel Hill, believes that the attractions closest to Charlotte would draw more visitors if the hall of fame were placed there. "But if the hall of fame in Charlotte is all-inclusive, then you're going to hurt all of the other ones. If it has a Dale Earnhardt wing, that will hurt visitors to his shop."

Officials involved in Charlotte's bid downplay any problems. "We believe that it enhances the 'NASCAR Valley' concept to come here to spend multiple days, enjoy a race, visit some garages and some of the other amenities," says Michael Smith, president of Charlotte Center City Partners, a nonprofit that promotes downtown.

Still, with organizers saying the Charlotte site would draw about 400,000 fans its first year, resulting in nearly $7 million in admissions and an economic impact of $62 million, some fans--and their money--likely would be drawn from other sites. Bids were submitted to Daytona Beach, Fla.-based NASCAR at the end of May, with a decision expected by the end of the year. Other cities seeking the hall are Richmond, Va., Atlanta, Kansas City, Kan., and Daytona Beach. The hall could open by 2008.

Each bidding city has pluses. Daytona Beach is home to the sport's showcase race, the Daytona 500. Kansas City would appeal to the sport's...