PRI has released a monumental study that substantiates motorsports’ significant financial impact on the US economy. Compiled specifically for PRI, this Motorsports Economic Impact Study has determined that motorsports contributes $69.21 billion to the American economy.

This report is based on 2025 US economy data and looks at economic output, jobs, wages, and taxes, which is available on a national scale as well as going more in-depth to the local level. In summary, motorsports supports more than 318,000 Americans who earned wages and benefits of just over $22.1 billion. Motorsports generates more than $8.2 billion in annual tax revenue, consisting of $5 billion in federal taxes and $3.2 billion in state and local taxes.

“Racing holds a special place in American life, and this milestone report highlights the broad scope of the motorsports industry as an economic driver at the local, state, and federal levels,” said PRI President Michael Good. “Using these results as a foundation, PRI will continue to seek ways to foster the motorsports industry, from race tracks to manufacturers, and from small businesses to major national employers, to ensure motorsports continues to touch every part of the country and bring together people from all walks of life for competition and community. We’re proud to serve as the leading voice for the motorsports industry in the US and will continue delivering the data needed to demonstrate the industry’s economic strength and value.”

“The cultural value of motorsports is well documented—we celebrate the history of each race, and the standard setters who came before the current generation,” added Karen Bailey-Chapman, senior vice president, public and government affairs for PRI and SEMA. “But the economic value—that necessary component that helps drive investment and legislative and regulatory action—has often been anecdotal, and too often limited to the tourism clout of large raceways. This report changes the landscape by presenting a holistic view of the motorsports industry, one that drives investment in race tracks and motorsports facilities, the jobs they create, the communities they support, and the positive economic impact these facilities have. This report helps tell the story beyond just the large raceways and brings to life the positive impact the thousands of local race tracks bring to the US economy.

“This is a critical body of evidence for business owners to verify the impact of their industry when engaging with government leaders at the local, state, and federal levels, and when seeking investments and strategic partnerships. This report helps tell a story of American jobs and entrepreneurship which, when coupled with the personal and community impacts of motorsports, tells a powerful story.”

PRI’s research represents the most comprehensive assessment of motorsports’ economic footprint ever undertaken to quantify the scale and significance of the business of racing to the US economy. The study includes automobile, truck, motorcycle, and UTV/side-by-side racing activity. It evaluates the economic contributions from multiple racing businesses—including race tracks and promoters, parts manufacturers, distributors, retailers, service providers, and professional race teams.

John Dunham & Associates (JDA) conducted this research, which was funded by PRI. This work used standard econometric models first developed by the US Forest Service, and now maintained by IMPLAN Inc. Data came from PRI, Data Axle, and other government sources.

While these numbers are valuable, read on to learn how these numbers can be utilized to benefit your motorsports operation.

How To Use This Report

The PRI Economic Impact Study provides valuable data about the economic footprint of the motorsports industry in the United States. PRI undertook this effort to provide policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public with credible, data-driven insights into racing’s role as a major driver of economic activity, employment, and tax revenue. The study not only affirms the industry’s significance but also serves as a foundational resource to inform advocacy, investment, and long-term planning.

“Data is power,” confirmed Good. “This type of information can offer valuable insights to business owners. It will help them make crucial decisions in the growth and expansion of their own business. Being able to ascertain where opportunities exist and uncover data points that they may not have had access to. Businesses rely on both internal and external metrics and this is just one area that PRI is able to offer that gives an overview of the impact of our industry.”

PRI Members can reference this Impact Study to determine economic output, jobs, wages, and taxes related to motorsports’ income on a national basis as well as a state and local scale. The website also offers downloadable infographics that can be shared with policy makers and other businesses to show the impact motorsports has on individual states and communities.

Simply pull up the interactive economic map for national numbers or click on a state to narrow the focus. Users can click on Congressional District, State House District, and State Senate District or county for localized numbers.

For example, a motorsports professional who wants to learn more about the economic impact in the state of North Carolina can either click on the state of North Carolina on the United States map or click on North Carolina in the drop-down menu. Motorsports supports more than 19,000 jobs in North Carolina for 2025 with a total economic output of over $3.8 billion.

Users can then get an even more microscopic view by clicking on the “Congress” button and view their congressional representative by district. In each district is a more detailed analysis.
 

“PRI works every day to connect, protect, and advocate for the motorsports industry,” said Good. “We will continue to do so in the traditional and historical ways that we always have, but we will also work diligently to assist in new and innovative ways and this report is an example of bringing something to the industry that we’ve not been able to do before.”

“This gives us the numbers that back up the personal, hard evidence that the industry can share with lawmakers to demonstrate the impacts of proposed policies and legislation,” said Bailey-Chapman. “It can help bolster the case for positive policies like tax credits and incentives. It also helps defend against policies that harm local race tracks, like ill-conceived nuisance laws. It also reaffirms what PRI and SEMA already know: when our members speak, it’s worth it for lawmakers and their staffs to pay attention.

“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 race tracks can stay open, businesses can continue bringing products to market to support racing enthusiasts, and preserving our nation’s wonderful car culture,” concluded Bailey-Chapman.

To view and download the report, visit stats.performanceracing.com.

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