Where to put the Racino?

 

(A guest editorial by Tom Ketchum) Though I lived in Clovis four times longer than I did in Tucumcari, I never met a tourist in Clovis. I met a lot of them in Tucumcari. People, mostly Route 66 fans, come from all over the world to see Tucumcari’s old motels, gas stations, and tourist traps. This has been going on for a long time and doesn’t look to stop anytime soon, considering a whole new generation thinks of it as Radiator Springs.
I don’t have anything against Clovis, it’s just not the best choice for a racino. Clovis is a great family town, Tucumcari is a great tourist town. Here’s 10 more reasons to put the Racino in Tucumcari: 

1. Tucumcari, believe it or not, has three museums to Clovis’ one.
2. Tucumcari is on a major interstate.
3. Tucumcari has a lot more public art than Clovis.
4. Clovis already has gambling at the Red Arrow which features bingo and pull tab machines.
5. Tucumcari has some very nice vintage motels in operation, such as the Blue Swallow and The Historic Route 66 Motel.
6. Tucumcari is central to other tourist stops like Glenrio, Cuervo, and Santa Rosa.
7. Tucumcari is close to Conchas Dam and Ute Lake.
8. Tucumcari is midway between Amarillo and Albuquerque. Clovis is midway between Muleshoe and Taiban.
9. The people of Tucumcari have been accommodating visitors for generations.
10. Though much smaller than Clovis, Tucumcari has greater name recognition.