OLYMPIA, Wash. - The NASCAR racetrack folks are making another run for it at the state legislature, but this time they left their big-name car drivers home.

Opponents of the proposal to build a NASCAR track near Bremerton thought the idea had gone into the shop for good. But it turns out it was just a pit stop.

Now, NASCAR is back on track with a big list of local supporters and a call for a public vote.

"We've been through this thing," track opponent Ray McGovern said. "They keep saying the bill is dead, but it always seems to get resurrected for some reason."

The reason is that Sen. Margarita Prentice has agreed to suspend the cutoff rules and give the proposal (SB 6040) a hearing.

Track developers say it will cost $368 million to build the track near Bremerton or wherever turns out best. They're asking for legislative authority to raise half of that in state sales taxes from folks who go to the races.

"What we hope today is to put some more things on the table that will give the local constituent group more comfort over the fact they control their own destiny on this project," said Grant Lynch of International Speedway Corp.

The biggest change is this will be put to a public vote in the area where the track would be built.

The unions see this as job growth. There will be 5,000 construction jobs in the first two years with taxes generated by the racetrack to pay for itself.

"So this is new money that gets infused into our state which will pay for this facility," said Machinists' Union president Mark Blondin. "It's a good deal for jobs. It's a good deal for the state."

Critics see this as anything but a good deal. "You shouldn't be using taxpayers' money to fund any sports venue," McGovern said.

But the Lt. Governor says the state shouldn't let this opportunity slip by.

"I've been around here for 30 sessions and I have never heard of a proposal that I have felt is so important for this state with such a significant impact as this is going to have for us," Lt. Gov. Brad Owen said.

It's hard to gauge how the senators are going to proceed on this, but at least the track folks got their hearing. They are still in the race with many laps still to go in the four weeks left in legislative session.