From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
SEMA and PRI are expanding its Right-to-Race advocacy campaign nationwide. The time to protect race tracks is now, before more long-standing facilities are pushed out of their communities. Learn more at sema.org/right-to-race.
Here's the latest on SEMA and PRI's Right-to-Race advocacy campaign:
Kansas Puts Right-to-Race Protections in Victory Lane
Kansas has delivered a major victory for grassroots racing. Governor Laura Kelly has signed the Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act (HB 2416) into law, providing long-standing racing facilities in the state with important protections against nuisance-based lawsuits filed by surrounding property owners who arrived after the track was established. The measure cleared the Kansas Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support.
The impact of this win extends far beyond the grandstands. Motorsports in Kansas generate more than $743 million annually, support nearly 5,700 jobs, and bring in more than $77 million in state and local taxes each year. SEMA and PRI backed HB 2416 at every step, including testimony from Victor Muñoz, SEMA senior manager for state government affairs, and support from Kansas motorsports leaders such as John Allen of 81 Speedway and Humboldt Speedway, Cindy Bell of Kansas International Dragway and ABATE of Kansas. Racing venues in Kansas boost local businesses, draw fans and competitors into communities and uphold a vital part of the state's motorsports heritage.
PRI and SEMA extend their gratitude to Representative Leo Delperdang, the sponsor of HB 2416 and a longstanding advocate for Kansas's automotive community, and to Senator Elaine Bowers, whose leadership was instrumental in the bill's passage. Representative Delperdang was recognized as SEMA's 2021 Legislator of the Year.
This new Kansas law also marks another important checkpoint in the growing national Right-to-Race movement. Iowa and North Carolina have already secured similar wins, while several additional states continue advancing race-track protection legislation with SEMA and PRI support. Together, these efforts are helping ensure that race tracks—many of which have operated responsibly for decades—can continue serving as the places where grassroots racing lives, future competitors get their start, and local communities benefit from the commerce, tourism, and tradition that surround the sport.
For more information about SEMA and PRI's Right-to-Race campaign or to learn how your race track or motorsports business can help support similar legislation in your state, contact Muñoz at victorm@sema.org.
OHIO: SEMA and PRI Launch the Ohio Motorsports Network
From left to right (Bill Bader, Summit Motorsports Park; Ohio State Representative Kellie Deeter; Tierra Hubbard, SEMA/PRI; Tom Deery, PRI; Coby Lobaugh, SEMA/PRI).
During the final week of March, SEMA and PRI launched the Ohio Motorsports Network (OMN) in Columbus, alongside a coordinated series of legislative meetings at the state capitol and testimony in support of HB 639, Ohio's Right-to-Race legislation.
At the inaugural OMN meeting, Hubbard, SEMA director of government affairs for racing, and PRI Ambassador Tom Deery outlined the network's structure, vision and long-term goals. They also provided a comprehensive legislative update on the progress of Right-to-Race efforts in Ohio. Attendees from across the state came together with a shared purpose: to protect and strengthen motorsports. Participants also had the opportunity to highlight their facilities, events and ongoing initiatives. The group formally established leadership by appointing Bill Bader of Summit Motorsports Park as chair of the network.
The following day, SEMA and PRI met with lawmakers in both the House and Senate, engaging members on both sides of the aisle. These meetings focused on educating policymakers about the importance of motorsports, addressing questions about the legislation and ensuring lawmakers are informed before the bill reaches their desks.
On the final day, track owners, operators and industry leaders delivered compelling testimony before the House Local Government Committee in support of HB 639. Those testifying included Hubbard (PRI and SEMA), Bader (Summit Motorsports Park), Rich Farmer (Fremont Speedway), Bob Davis (American Motorcyclist Association) and Levi Jones (Eldora Speedway).
Are you interested in joining the Ohio Motorsports Network?
Be part of a growing, statewide effort to protect and advance motorsports in Ohio.
For more information or to get involved, contact Hubbard at tierrah@sema.org.
This story was originally published on April 9, 2026.
Main photo courtesy of World Racing Group | Jacy Norgaard
