SEMA and PRI continue to gain momentum in their nationwide Right-to-Race advocacy campaign. Here's the latest:
 

WISCONSIN

Tierra Hubbard, senior manager of government affairs for SEMA and PRI, joined two Wisconsin race track owners in Madison, Wisconsin, to testify in support of Assembly Bill (AB) 880, legislation designed to protect long-standing race tracks from nuisance claims brought by new neighbors and surrounding development. The bill reflects a growing national effort to preserve lawfully operating racing facilities that contribute significantly to their local economies.

During the public hearing, testimony focused on the importance of race tracks as economic drivers, community gathering places and longstanding fixtures of Wisconsin's motorsports culture. Supporters emphasized that Right-to-Race protections ensure that facilities that existed long before nearby development can continue operating responsibly without being threatened by litigation.

Above (Left to right): Gregg McKarns, owner, Madison International Speedway; Tierra Hubbard, senior manager of state government affairs; Marcel Kuper, owner, Great Lakes Dragaway; Chuck Deery, president of motorsports management, La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway.

KANSAS

The Kansas House Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on House Bill (HB) 2416, the Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act, introduced by Representative Leo Delperdang. Victor Muñoz, senior manager of government affairs for SEMA and PRI, testified during the hearing.

John Allen, general manager of 81 Speedway and Humboldt Speedway, spoke about the challenges race-track operators face as development encroaches. "I think this is a great bill," Allen told the committee. "This would be a good fit to help protect our investments that were made in these communities."

Cindy Bell from Kansas International Dragway also testified in support of the legislation, detailing similar issues faced by drag-racing facilities.

Throughout the hearing, industry stakeholders underscored that race tracks across Kansas contribute significantly to the state's economy, provide safe, regulated environments for motorsports and serve as long‑standing cultural and community anchors. Together, the hearings in Wisconsin and Kansas underscore how states across the Midwest are confronting the same challenges facing long‑standing race tracks and are increasingly turning to Right‑to‑Race protections to ensure these community institutions can continue operating responsibly as development expands.
 

BACKGROUND

Kansas and Wisconsin's Right-to-Race bills are part of a broader, multi-state initiative led by SEMA and PRI to establish consistent protections for motorsports facilities nationwide. Similar legislation has already been enacted in other states, with additional measures expected to advance during the 2026 legislative cycle.

SEMA and PRI will continue working with lawmakers, race-track owners and industry partners to move these bills through the legislative process and to ensure that the racing community remains protected for generations to come.

For more information and to get involved in race-track nuisance protection efforts in your state, contact SEMA Government Affairs at governmentaffairs@sema.org. For state-specific questions, contact one of our senior managers for state government affairs:

• Tierra Hubbard (east coast) at tierrah@sema.org
• Victor Muñoz (west coast) at victorm@sema.org

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Chris Higgins Photography