First, the Seattle Mariners held their hand out, and the Washington Legislature filled it with a $372 million public package that largely built Safeco Field, which celebrated its fifth birthday Thursday. Then, the Seattle Seahawks stuck their hand out, and the voters approved a $300 million funding package to build Seahawks Stadium. Now, NASCAR, one of the fastest-growing sports in America, wants a cut of the public action, from either Washington or Oregon – the best deal possible for a 75,000-seat, $140 million track.

It’s tempting to dismiss the NASCAR proposal as one public handout too many and wish International Speedway Corp. executives well when they shake down Oregon. After all, what’s in it for Eastern Washington? A track near Marysville or in Yelm might be nice, but it doesn’t build roads or fund social programs in Spokane County. On the other hand, a spot on the NASCAR circuit would be another feather in Washington’s cap. If a public subsidy can be worked out to help the West Side’s economy without hurting the East Side’s, Washington should listen closely to the NASCAR pitch.

In the past, this page has advocated for the sports subsidies listed above, citing the economic impact for the communities involved and the psychological importance of big league entertainment for the region. With three major sports teams, Seattle and, indirectly, Washington are considered big league. With only a pro basketball team among the top sports, Portland is not. Not only would a NASCAR track add to our state’s major-league stature, but its economic benefit should be more of a sure thing than that of the M’s or Seahawks.

On Thursday, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published a package of articles about Safeco Field, including two stories that reported the trickle-down effect of the new ballpark had fallen short. Five years later, the neighborhood around Safeco Field is still suffering from vacancies and transportation snarls. Meanwhile, neighborhood businesses that depend on park traffic, such as Seattle Sport and King Street Bar & Oven, have suffered this year because the Mariners are losing and attracting fewer fans.

NASCAR’s success in gaining a following of 75 million fans doesn’t depend on a single racing crew or the health of a star player.

Still, the sport won’t have an easy time selling the idea to Olympia, where key legislators of both parties already have raised caution flags. State Rep. Bob Sump, R-Republic – a self-described “NASCAR nut,” according to the Seattle Times – said he’ll favor a track only if the financing makes sense for taxpayers. Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, a ranking minority member of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee, told the Times: “I think another tax break for a sports facility is going to be a hard sell.”

Gentlemen, start your lobbying efforts.