DI to DC: SEMA & PRI Unite to Drive Drag Racing Influence on Capitol Hill

Wes Buck and Mike Carpenter travel to Washington, D.C., for the annual Washington Rally, hosted by SEMA and PRI, to brief lawmakers on racetrack depreciation and Right-to-Race protections.

The agenda centers on the Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act and nuisance protections for established venues. Both issues carry financial, regulatory, and community consequences for American drag racing.

The act seeks to restore a permanent seven-year depreciation schedule for racetracks. Current allowances expire after 2025, creating uncertainty for operators planning long-term capital investments.

Without permanence, major upgrades must depreciate over 19 to 39 years. That slows safety improvements and facility work, including paving, resurfacing, grandstands, and restrooms.

Buck and Carpenter stress that more than 1,500 U.S. racetracks are largely family-owned. Many operate on thin margins while prioritizing safety and incremental growth.

Buck frames tracks as community hubs. They introduce young people to cars, create family destinations, and provide an accessible ladder for racers.

Alongside nearly 120 industry delegates, both also advocate Right-to-Race legislation. It shields long-standing venues from nuisance lawsuits driven by encroaching development and new residents.

Several states, including Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, already have such protections. The policy aims to balance community growth with motorsport continuity.

Carpenter cites Shuffletown Dragway’s closure after nearby housing development prompted complaints. He argues those protections might have preserved the venue.

Attention also turns to Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida, home of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series. Urban sprawl raises long-term questions for the facility.

Buck estimates the three Winter Series events generate more than $28 million for the Bradenton and Sarasota economies. That underlines the sport’s local business and tourism impact.

SEMA now prioritizes Florida for introducing Right-to-Race protections. Legislators receive invitations to attend Bradenton events this winter and evaluate the issues firsthand.

The rally draws racers, manufacturers, and leaders from across the country. Their message focuses on safeguarding a $69 billion industry that spans aftermarket and competition activities.

Buck and Carpenter also learn SEMA and PRI maintain full-time Washington staff. That team tracks legislation and represents racing and aftermarket interests daily.

For the first time, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin addresses attendees at the rally. He encourages participants to outline motorsport needs directly to lawmakers.

Initial nerves give way to productive meetings. Buck and Carpenter leave convinced that sustained, face-to-face advocacy will be essential to protect facilities and communities.

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Miles Carter

Miles Carter covers grassroots and regional drag-strip action, from bracket racing to street-legal shootouts. His event previews and performance-upgrade guides keep local racers up to speed on timing-slip trends, tire tech, and weekend race highlights.