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. PRI backed HB 2416 at every step, including testimony from Victor Muñoz, PRI 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 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 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.

Photo Courtesy of World Racing Group | Jacy Norgaard