By AP

March 2nd, 2006

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Atlanta and Daytona Beach still feel good about their chances to land NASCAR's Hall of Fame, even though a report from Charlotte says that city has locked up a deal to build the shrine to stock car racing.

"We've heard rumours in the past. Almost three weeks ago we got calls from all over that Atlanta was getting the nod and that proved to be not true. Two weeks later we're hearing Charlotte got the nod. Maybe two weeks from now the rumour will be Daytona," said George Mirabal, the local official in Daytona Beach working to bring the hall of fame to NASCAR's birthplace.

The Charlotte Observer, citing three anonymous sources, reported yesterday that Charlotte had won the race for the stock car racing museum and an official announcement was expected Monday.

Two people in NASCAR who are close to the negotiations told The Associated Press later yesterday that although Charlotte is the leading candidate, the deal isn't complete and talks were ongoing. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because no deal is done.

One person said NASCAR Chairman Brian France spent Tuesday in Charlotte meeting with city leaders but left without a deal.