BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FLORENCE -- Democrat Ken Lucas is using a pair of innocuous legislative votes to paint Republican State Sen. Gex "Jay" Williams as "anti-NASCAR" in their Fourth Congressional District race.
With Florence developer Jerry Carroll set to break ground Saturday on a $130 million speedway in Gallatin County, the Lucas campaign put out a press release Thursday with the headline "Lucas Blasts Williams as anti-NASCAR."
Mr. Lucas is basing his claim on two votes the state Senate took in February 1996. One was honoring Owensboro, Ky., Darrell Waltrip, a legendary NASCAR driver who is expected to take part in the track's groundbreaking Saturday in Florence.
The other vote, on Feb. 18, established NASCAR Legends of Owensboro Day, which honored Mr. Waltrip and other drivers from Owensboro, including Jeremy Mayfield, another hot NASCAR driver expected to attend the groundbreaking.
Both resolutions passed the Senate 37-1, with Mr. Williams being the only "no" vote both times.
"Gex Williams is so far out of touch with people that he actually opposes good, decent Kentucky natives who have achieved success in NASCAR racing," Mr. Lucas said in the press release.
"I'm calling on him today to explain these horrendous votes." Mr. Williams does have a history of supporting the track Mr. Carroll, the owner of Turfway Park, is trying to develop in Gallatin County.
On the votes Mr. Williams said he believes there was a clerical error made when the votes were taken.
Both resolutions were part of what is known as a "consent calendar," when several bills and resolutions are bundled into one vote in the Senate.
While his votes were recorded as "no", Mr. Williams did not intend to vote against those resolutions, but he had voted no against other bills on the calendar on both occasions.
"I don't have anything against Darrell Waltrip. I never have," Mr. Williams said. "As soon as that was pointed out to me, I corrected it."
Mr. Williams said he has supported the track by working to secure state money to build roads leading to the facility, and that he has met with Mr. Carroll several times to pledge his support for the track.
Mr. Williams also pointed out that he is a member of Team Gallatin 2000, a group of state and local officials working to assist in development of the track.
