Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Discourages Branson NASCAR Track in Letter

Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris rarely weighs in of things on a political nature; however, the sponsor of multiple NASCAR teams seems a little upset with the proposed NASCAR track that may be built near Branson, Missouri. He wrote the following letter addressing his concerns:


July 7, 2011
Dear Hollister and Branson area neighbors,

I feel it is important to share with you my deep concerns about the racetrack being
proposed near the intersection of highways 65 and 86, south of Branson, Mo.

First, I'm not at all happy with the way the developer, Russ Cook, has attempted to forge
a connection between his proposed racetrack and Bass Pro Shops, Big Cedar Lodge, and
me personally. To support his project, he has continuously referenced an affiliation with
our company based on work he did for us years ago, using photos of our stores in his
promotional materials and presentations without asking permission. As of this writing,
he is currently displaying photos of Bass Pro race cars with very misleading statements
such as "united we stand" on Facebook, implying that we are in support of this project.
To set the record straight, it has been over 13 years since Russ Cook has done any work
for me or Big Cedar Lodge and we are in no way affiliated with his project.

I believe this proposed racetrack project is not only a very risky venture in its own
right but that it is also putting the future of our community at risk.

While some Ozark residents have become excited regarding the prospect of grand-scale
racing and a successful future at the facility, the facts concerning the potential downside
of the project have not been fully explored and expressed. This project threatens
hundreds of homeowners, our property values, thousands ofjobs, our quality of life and
the natural environment of our Ozark hills and waterways.

As I outline my concerns for our future, please understand that I am not against racing.
People who know me, know that I am a big fan of racing and I am proud that our
company, Bass Pro Shops, is one of the top sponsors in motor sports today.
Certainly one of the proudest days in the history of Bass Pro Shops occurred last spring
when Jamie McMurray, from right here in Joplin, Missouri, won the Daytona 500 driving
the Bass Pro Shops #1 Chevrolet.

Our commitment to racing runs deep. We have fully sponsored DEI (Dale Earnhardt
Incorporated) cars to two consecutive NASCAR Nationwide national championships.
The past two seasons, we have sponsored the #3 Chevrolet truck driven by Austin Dillon,
(Grandson of Richard Childress) in the NASCAR Camping World Truck series. For the
last several years we have been the primary sponsor of Tony Stewart's World of Outlaws
number 11 sprint car driven by Steve Kinser. We sponsor the number 14 late model car
driven by Tony Stewart. In other leagues, we co-sponsor cars and drivers in the 24 hours
of Daytona and select IRL events like the Indianapolis 500 with Chip Ganassi and Dario
Franchetti.

We're very supportive of racing, and in fact it is our knowledge of and involvement
with racing that leads us to have grave concerns about racing at this proposed site.
Too much has happened too fast without the people in our area being fully informed
and truly understanding how threatened they are by the potential downsides. It's
time for all the information regarding this matter to be carefully studied by our
local community.

This proposition is filled with very high financial risk!

Even if the track gets built, in my judgment, the odds are very slim that it will be a
financial success. When this track was first announced, the promoters boasted it would
host NASCAR events. I felt this was very strange since I had not heard anything from
the France family (founders and principal shareholders of NASCAR) or any other
NASCAR officials regarding this proposed track.

Subsequent to the initial announcements, I have personally reached out to friends and
associates at the highest levels in NASCAR and based upon what I have learned, I will be
extremely surprised if NASCAR events are going to be sanctioned at this proposed track
in the foreseeable future. The same holds true for the IRL (Indy Racing League).

To help secure financial support from the state of Missouri (reportedly up to $70 million
through MODOT) the developers have made reference to the economic success of the
Kansas Speedway project. While the Kansas City project has been very successful, that
success in large part has been driven by very significant retail development and gaming
near the Kansas track. As a retailer doing business in Branson, I do not feel there is
currently sufficient demand to support an additional large-scale retail development in the
vicinity of this proposed track, certainly nowhere near the scale of the Kansas City
project being held up as an example. Also, we must remember that when the Kansas
track was built it had the full support of NASCAR. In fact, at the construction
celebration NASCAR drivers Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Kenny Schraeder
helped kick off the event alongside NASCAR President, the late Bill France JR., ISC
President Jim France and ISC Executive VP Lisa Kennedy. Also in attendance was
Kansas Governor Bill Grace. Without firm commitments from either NASCAR or IRL,
it seems to me that this facility faces an uphill battle.

We need to look very closely and carefully at what has happened at other tracks to
understand the risks we face here. Consider what's happened in nearby St. Louis at the
Gateway International Speedway.

Developer Chris Pook had huge dreams for Gateway raceway in the 1990's.
He had mammoth sports sponsor, Anheuser-Busch, in his backyard. He was building in a
very vibrant St. Louis sports market. But even with all these positives, the track could
only attract second-tier Nationwide series and third tier truck series events, which
generate modest revenue vs. the premier Sprint Cup series. Despite his dreams, Pook
could not compete with larger markets like Dallas, Chicago, and even Kansas City. In
2011, an announcement was made that no future events were planned for the dragstrip or
oval track.

Denis McGlynn, President and CEO of Dover Motorsports (the current track owner)
stated, "Gateway is a tremendous facility in a great racing community, but we are simply
unable to operate it with an acceptable return. We truly appreciate the many years of
dedication shown by our Gateway employees and their efforts to make Gateway such a
great destination for all those passionate about our sport, from racing fans and drivers, to
sponsors, team owners, and sanctioning bodies."

Even with NASCAR sanctioned events in a much larger market, the St. Louis Gateway
track failed. In the end, what was reported to be a $90 million dollar investment went
under and is up for sale at a fraction of its original cost.

In Memphis, Tennessee, after being vacant for over a year, the Memphis Motorsports
Park, a track that is very similar to the track being proposed here with a 3A mile oval, a
road course and a dragstrip failed as well. It recently sold at auction for only $ 1.875
million dollars including all infrastructure and 342 acres of land.

These documented facts on tracks that actually did host NASCAR sanctioned events
underscore the clear risk associated with a racetrack that has no affiliations or
commitments from either NASCAR or the IRL.

Again, I'm very supportive of bringing the highest quality racing to the Ozarks, but
this is not the right place to build a racetrack!

Consider the fact that more than half of the population of Taney County rests within ten
miles of this site, including the three largest residential communities. Oakmont, Emerald
Point, and Branson Creek all fall within five miles of the proposed site. This site is at or
near the heart of some of the most beautiful and valuable lake view and lakefront land in
the country. What's even more disturbing is that this track is being constructed literally
in the backyard of the homeowners in Blue Ridge Estates and Hidden Oaks residential
developments. How can this happen... who is taking into account how low property
values will go if this track is completed in the area proposed?

Any race fan knows that racing is very loud. That's some of what makes racing fun. It's
also what makes racing dead wrong for this location. Racecar noise emissions average
anywhere from 100 to 140 decibels according to the National Institute for Safety and
Health. Noise levels have been monitored at other smaller area racetracks and the results
are as follows: Midway, near Lebanon, 114 decibels. Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland,
Missouri, 106.7 decibels, West Plains, Missouri 105 decibels. These are all smaller
tracks with lower horsepower engines than what is being proposed here.

It's important to note that OSHA recommends sound hearing protection at 85 decibels or
greater. With a straight-line measurement (without variances for terrain taken into
account) OSHA would recommend hearing protection within a 2.5 mile radius of the
proposed entertainment facility to prevent permanent hearing damage. Noise from
similar race tracks travels a minimum of 10 miles.

The development of this proposed racetrack deserves very careful attention and
planning.

It is very interesting to note that in Portland, Oregon, a new racetrack was constructed
very near an existing airport similar to what is being proposed here. The city of Portland
realized the significant need for controlling the additional level of noise emanating from
the racetrack. Their answer was to allow construction only after stipulations restricting
noise were put in place. Restrictions were employed to ensure that only a specific,
agreed upon number of loud events could be held each year. They ran sound monitoring
programs in nearby neighborhoods. It was agreed that cars running above certain noise
levels would be black-flagged and removed from the track.

At Big Cedar Lodge, we've professionally monitored noise levels surrounding a state of
Missouri permitted hunting area and proposed Outdoor Academy that will feature
shooting sports to assure no area property values are diminished. We have purchased
adjacent lands and are going to great lengths to ensure that no one's quality of life is
adversely affected.

We question what considerations the racetrack developers have given their neighbors?
Do we have any guarantees that if their plans go awry, we'll be able to control them?
There is a clear history of other tracks like the one being proposed here that have failed to
be viable enterprises continuing^ run only as "testing and tuning tracks", running
motorcycles and secondary motor sports activities that do nothing to really support the
local economy and continue to depress surrounding property values by destroying the
environment.

The proposed track puts many local jobs at RISK.

While the promoters of the proposed track have sung the praises of potential future jobs,
the reality is far darker. Consider the simple fact that we rely on the serene, peaceful
setting of the Ozark Mountains as the true cornerstone for our nature-based tourism
economy.

Big Cedar resort is a prime example of a true connection with the natural environment.
For over 20 years, we've worked in harmony with nature to draw countless families here
to the Ozarks. Through word-of-mouth and ads in our Bass Pro catalogs, Big Cedar
Resort draws over 800,000 overnight guests from around the country each year. Over
1,100 full time associates are employed, treating these guests to genuine Ozark
hospitality. When Big Cedar's guests aren't nestled in the quiet of the hollow, they're
out helping to support the local economy, enjoying our local entertainers, restaurants,
shopping, and a surprising number even end up looking for their next home with area
realtors.

At Big Cedar, we're very proud of our record of teaming with many others in the White
River Basin to help protect our natural beauty. The folks at Big Cedar have received
numerous awards recognizing their efforts to protect the local environment. They include
MORA's "Outstanding business recycling/waste reduction" award, The Wall-Street
Journal's "Best, of the Best," Audubon International's "Best Environmental Golf- Top
200 Courses", the State of Missouri's "Governor's Tree-scape Award," and the "award
for Excellence", from the Southwestern Division U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to name
just a few. Big Cedar associates are fully aware their jobs in part depend on the
protection of our pristine Ozarks environment.

This racetrack also represents a huge potential set back for the Branson area as an
emerging golf destination.

The Ozarks are poised to become one of America's top golf destinations, not unlike
venues such as Myrtle Beach, Tens of millions of dollars have been invested to create
our area golf courses like Branson Creek (deemed one of the best in the state). Courses
like the soon-to-re-open Top of the Rock will feature a newly created Tom Watsondesigned
72 hole pitch and putt facility, a totally redesigned Jack Nicklaus signature par
three course and a new Arnold Palmer-designed 18 hole practice course will all be
directly impacted by the noise pollution from the proposed track. Payne Stewart's
course, John Daly's Murder Rock and the many other courses in the area will also be
impacted. There is a solid argument to be made that if the noise from the proposed track
affects a few of our top courses, it will affect the overall Branson area as a premier
golfing destination. There is an opportunity for all the golf courses in the area to work
together to continue to create a premier golf destination. Why allow a racetrack to be
built right on top of our world-class golf courses and ruin this opportunity?

I hope our commissioners will evaluate all the downsides and conclude that this is
not the right place to build a racetrack or, at a minimum, make sure there is a
viable plan for the venture to succeed with appropriate restrictions firmly in place.

Just like many of you, I love the Ozarks. I speak as an area business owner and a lifelong
resident of the Ozarks. I grew up fishing on our rivers and lakes with my father and have
enjoyed passing on these traditions to my children. I also speak as a knowledgeable fan
of racing. It is my experience in racing that gives me deep concern about the negative
impact a racetrack in this proposed location will have on our area. There is a big risk;
neighboring property values will plummet, many existing jobs will be lost, all this
resulting in a detrimental impact on our economy, not to mention the permanent scar on
the nature that we enjoy, the same nature that brings so many families to the Ozarks year
after year.

Thank you for considering my views, I've tried to convey my feelings on the matter as
honestly and as straightforward as possible.

Sincerely,

Johnny Morris

Honestly Mr. Morris, looking at Branson today with it's empty theaters and declining tourist numbers and remembering what was in that drive down 65, hasn't the entire Branson culture destroyed much of the Ozarks between Springfield and Branson? These promises have been made every time something newer and bigger comes along, and the scars of broken promises line MO 76 and the surrounding roads. In other words, something has got to regenerate interest in the area to save what is left. While your points are well made, Branson is dying. It needs new life. I was hoping NASCAR would help Branson, but you are right, there are no guarantees. The fact they are racing in Kentucky this weekend is a miracle within itself.

Obviously, with the ethos of Johnny Morris now in play, this project is probably doomed.