Report: Charlotte wins race to be museum's home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR's Hall of Fame appears headed to Charlotte, according to a report in Wednesday's editions of The Charlotte Observer.

Citing three anonymous sources, the Observer reported that Charlotte beat out Atlanta and Daytona Beach, Fla., for the stock car racing museum and an official announcement is expected Monday. One source told the paper that final logistics must be worked out, but "it's going to happen."

Messages left with several NASCAR officials, seeking comment about the report, were not immediately returned.

In the past week, several NASCAR sources have told The Associated Press that Charlotte is indeed the leading candidate to land the shrine, but that negotiations are ongoing.

Charlotte has been viewed as the favorite to land the hall for some time. The city is home to most of the teams and drivers who compete in the series. NASCAR has several offices in the city, and NASCAR chairman Brian France recently purchased a home here.

NASCAR's research and development center is in suburban Charlotte, and three Nextel Cup races are held at nearby Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Charlotte has proposed building a $137.5 million Hall of Fame on city-owned land near its convention center.