Centre County may not be the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of NASCAR.

But if Centre County Commissioner Scott Conklin has his wish granted, local citizens as well as travelers may have a new source of entertainment in central Pennsylvania.

Though discussion regarding the construction of a smaller-scale NASCAR racetrack is still preliminary, the project could become a multi-million dollar venue if public interest grows, Conklin said.

NASCAR spokesman Jeremy Davidson said location, management, marketability and a good fan base are components of a NASCAR-sanctioned racetrack.

"There's not any one set of factors; it's looked at on a case-by-case basis," Davidson said.

Locations to be considered for housing the racetrack would likely not be environmentally sensitive lands, such as a "distressed" strip mine area, Conklin said. Proximity to business districts as well as possible noise and light problems are also concerns.

"You need hotels but can't put [a racetrack] in a metropolitan area ... you can't build it so far away from a metropolitan area either. We have a happy medium," Conklin said.

Centre County citizens' interests and concerns also need to be considered.

"You have to make sure that the public wants it -- it does no good to build something that residents are against," Conklin said. "You have to understand not only what today's gain is but the long-term impact on the community."

Conklin compared the size and scale of what he's hoping to see in Centre County to the Lake Erie Speedway, which stretches about 3/8 of a mile long and seats about 7,000 people, according to www.lakeeriespeedway.com.

John Coleman, president of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, said an 18-month to 2-year feasibility study first needs to be conducted to determine if Centre County could support such an operation. A facility sanctioned by appropriate motor sports authorities as well as a community infrastructure able and willing to support the venue are both needed to consider undertaking the operation, Coleman said.

"Centre County brings over 100,000 people in the community throughout the year for football," Coleman said, referring to Beaver Stadium. "Feasibility would indicate we could sustain that kind of venue."

An additional attraction in the summer months would help increase business in the slower periods, such as around Independence Day, said Fran Levin, owner of the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.

"We have strong periods in the summer, but we have our off days ... I'm in favor of anything that's going to bring more visitors to this area that would hopefully stay overnight," she said.

The fact that Centre County is centrally located with surrounding highways under construction may be important when determining if a NASCAR-sanctioned racetrack is possible.

"NASCAR is an event that draws lots of people ... we have a lot of availability out in the rural areas of the county to do something like that," said Betsey Howell, executive director of the Centre County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Anytime someone can come up with a new reason to bring people in the area, it's a good thing for the economy ... I think if you have something of that magnitude, it will provide jobs."

Coleman said a racetrack could also create the potential for a stronger sense of identity among residents living in the area.

"Centre County is predominantly known by the Penn State football presence. By generating that kind of landmark, it gives an additional identity to central Pennsylvania ... as a destination point," Coleman said. "There's tremendous possibility for putting us on the map to a little greater degree than we already are."

Todd Melfi, general manager of the Lake Erie Speedway, said the exposure his track gets from the two or three nationally televised events it hosts each year is a key factor in drawing the public's interest locally and nationally.

"It reaches 70 million homes ... exposure through that is tremendous. It's showing pictures of the community and gives exposure to the facility," Melfi said. "Bars and restaurants have told us that on race weekends they are completely sold out of various items, which has never happened before."

In addition to racing events every Friday, the speedway also supplies a venue for concerts and summer jobs for students, who are then able to spend their earnings at local businesses.

"A racetrack of our size creates tremendous economic potential," Melfi said.

The smaller racetracks, like a minor league baseball team, are the "grassroots" for drivers and teams to get experience, Davidson said.

"Short tracks are the foundation of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch and Kevin Harvick. The better competitors rise to the top," he said.