It is very rare for a bill in the U.S. Senate to have a direct effect on the motorsports industry, but one co-sponsored by N.C. Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagan will.

The Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act will give motorsports entertainment facilities, like the Rockingham Dragway and Rockingham Speedway, permanent tax benefits for upgrading their facilities.

Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood said he hopes this bill goes through and is signed into law because currently the tax benefits have been renewed on a year-to-year basis since 2007. Earwood is on the frontlines of this issue, serving as the Chairman of the Board of the North Carolina Motorsports Association.

“Right now, we have to go to Washington each year and fight for this (tax credit),” Earwood said. “I recently spent $180,000 upgrading my lights. If I couldn’t write it off, I may have only spent $80,000.”

According to a recent study by the NCMA, the motorsports industry in the state has an annual impact of more than $5 billion. The total direct spending by motorsports-related firms tops more than $3.2 billion annually. And the industry generates more than 24,400 jobs.

Sen. Hagan understands the impact the motorsports industry has in the state and wants to provide the necessary tools, especially in today’s economic situation.

“This tax benefit will allow out motorsports facilities to invest and plan for the future, which will create jobs and help our economy,” Hagan said in a release. “The stock car industry has a rich heritage in North Carolina. As the home to numerous race teams, suppliers and world-class race tracks, North Carolina has a competitive advantage in this industry. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation that allows the industry to continue to thrive and grow in our state.”

While the Rockingham Speedway is no longer a home for NASCAR, one of its recent improvements has brought most of the teams back. The small track, known as “Little Rock,” is similar to the layout of Martinsville Speedway.

“Having this bill go through will allow us to do things like put up a fence out on the small track,” Robert Ingram, Rockingham Speedway Operations Manager said. “And it helps with some of the creature comforts which will bring fans back in, like upgrading the bathrooms and the concession stands.”

Earwood agreed some of the improvements like concession stand upgrades are designed to keep the fans returning for event after event, but most of the improvements a casual fan may not know about.

“I have to repave the track something like every four years,” Earwood said. “A fan won’t notice that. Getting this passed allows me to spend the money to improve the facility.”

Racing legend Junior Johnson agrees with Earwood.

“North Carolina has a long-standing history in motorsports and Sen. Kay Hagan’s support of this bill will help to ensure racetracks throughout North Carolina and across the country can continue to reinvest in the jobs and facilities that are so important to the people and communities involved in racing,” Johnson said in a release.

While motorsports facilities like the Rockingham Dragway and Rockingham Speedway don’t employ more than a handful of people on a full-time basis, when they spend money on improvements the economic impact is felt in the city, county and beyond.

“Improving our facility creates jobs and not just jobs for one day or one week,” Ingram said. “If we improve the bathrooms, then not only are the plumbers hired, but they purchase the piping, which in turn gives that company more money to hire more people.”

Ingram also sees the local governments reaping the benefit from this legislation as well.

“It is going to help get more taxes,” Ingram said. “If a facility does these improvements, then it’s worth more money and the taxes go up.”