FUELING THE ECONOMY

dustry, one that drives investment in racetracks and motorsports facilities, the jobs they create, the communities they support, and the positive economic impact these facilities have,” Bailey- Chapman says.“ It helps tell the story beyond just the large raceways and brings to life the positive impact the thousands of local racetracks bring to the US economy.”

This broader view is a critical shift in how the industry is evaluated and discussed. In the past, economic impact studies typically centered around major nationally recognized events and focused on the money spent by tourists during those events. This new report goes one step further by measuring the full scope of motorsports as a year-round economic engine that supports machine shops, parts suppliers, fabricators, apparel vendors, and countless other businesses within the motorsports industry.

Most importantly, these findings equip stakeholders, including track owners, manufacturers, racing organizations, and community leaders, with quantifiable data to support their operations. In a climate where local racetracks often face challenges from zoning boards, noise ordinances, and encroaching developments, having this hard data allows them to defend their presence and importance in the community. Instead of relying solely on emotion or public opinion, they can present lawmakers and regulatory agencies with clear, factual evidence of the value racing brings.

The report also provides useful data for advocacy efforts, whether that means supporting legislation like the Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act or applying for local or statelevel grants to host events or improve facilities. With this level of insight and credibility, motorsports stakeholders now have a powerful tool

for pushing back against threats and pushing forward on opportunities.

To further enhance the accessibility and usability of the data, PRI has launched an interactive website that allows users to explore motorsports’ economic impact across national, state, and local levels. With this tool, users can zoom in all the way to individual counties and pull

up specific stats about the industry’ s footprint in their region. It also includes downloadable infographics and other resources tailored for use in conversations with policymakers, media outlets, and business partners. This level of transparency and availability will be invaluable for people looking to defend or grow the presence of motorsports in their area.

As the cultural side of motorsports continues to expand its influence on entertainment, social media, and even fashion, this report affirms the deeper, lasting value the industry offers. It’ s not just about race cars or speed, it’ s about the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Americans, the preservation of a historic industry, and the economic contributions to countless communities. Especially in a sport like drag racing, which is known for its diversity and social spirit, the ripple effect of this industry is felt well beyond the racetrack.

“ We’ re very proud to tell the story of the motorsports industry and the community of people who are part of it. This is a foundational study and will give us ammunition as we work to ensure racetracks can stay open, businesses can continue bringing products to market to support racing enthusiasts, and preserving our nation’ s wonderful car culture,” concludes Bailey-Chapman.

With this report, PRI has reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting and protecting the motorsports industry at every level. Working alongside SEMA’ s Government Affairs Team, they remain dedicated to finding new and effective ways to safeguard the sport we all know and love to ensure its preservation, stability, and growth for years to come. DI

34 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 196