NHRA returns to Washington with NMC for Congressional Motorsports Caucus
Representatives from NHRA and five other major U.S. sanctioning bodies and racetracks were in attendance as the National Motorsports Coalition (NMC) returned to Washington, D.C., on May 7 to attend a briefing held by the Congressional Motorsports Caucus (CMC).
Motorsports representatives from NHRA, ACCUS, IMSA, INDYCAR, NASCAR, SCCA, and USAC and racetracks Charlotte Motor Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Watkins Glen International, and Virginia International Raceway were in attendance at the CMC briefing. NHRA Vice Presidents Kasey Coler and Alen Cisija were on hand to represent the sanctioning body.
Six-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher was joined by NASCAR drivers William Byron and Rajah Caruth and IMSA racer Christina Lam, and they shared perspectives on their respective careers in motorsports and highlighted contributions the motorsports industry continues to have across the American economy.
The Congressional Motorsports Caucus, co‐chaired by Representative Bill Posey and Representative Mike Thompson, serves as an informal, bipartisan group of Members of Congress who are dedicated to celebrating motorsports of all varieties and understanding their impact on American culture and the economy.
“The Congressional Motorsports Caucus is honored to bring visibility to the motorsports industry, which supports billions of dollars in economic activity around the world, spurs job growth, and does so much to inspire and train young people in engineering and technology fields, all while supplying thrilling sports entertainment to millions of racing fans and enthusiasts,” said Congressman Posey.
“Motorsports are an essential part of American culture and an economic driver for communities across our country,” added Thompson. “Motorsports don't just provide lasting memories for kids and adults, they also create reliable jobs and boost local tourism. That's why I'm proud to be a founder and co‐chair of the Congressional Motorsports Caucus. I look forward to welcoming the motorsports community to Capitol Hill each year."
One important issue that Members of Congress and motorsports industry leaders addressed was the Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney introduced the bipartisan Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act on April 18, 2023, which would make permanent the seven‐year cost recovery period for investments in motorsports entertainment complexes. This would allow companies to continue making long‐term investments in racing facilities with the certainty that their investments will continue to have fair and equitable treatment. The legislation was introduced with Reps. Thompson, Posey, Terri A. Sewell, Rudy Yakym III, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Drew Ferguson as original co‐sponsors of the bill.
For more information about the Congressional Motorsports Caucus, visit https://posey.house.gov/motorsports/.