A PRI- and SEMA-opposed bill in Oregon threatens to shutter an iconic local race track by regulating the use of certain fuels. 

Oregon lawmakers are considering House Bill 2738, which aims to prohibit the use of leaded fuel at race tracks located within cities with populations of 500,000 or more, starting January 1, 2026. The only facility that would be impacted by the proposal is Portland International Raceway (PIR), the 63-year-old track that has hosted champions including Mario and Michael Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi and Álex Palou. The bill, introduced by State Rep. Travis Nelson (D), sparked a heated debate among legislators, community members and racing enthusiasts, with PRI/SEMA testifying on the detrimental impact that closing the track would have on the local economy (more on this, below). 

Misrepresented Health Concerns Drive Legislation 

Rep. Nelson, who represents House District 44 in Northeast Portland, cited supposed health risks associated with leaded fuel emissions, relying on misrepresented data from a 2023 Guardian report and a Cornell University study, which showed that lead exposure could extend up to 25 miles from its source and significantly impact children's test scores and elderly mortality rates. However, these studies blatantly show that the presence of lead in ambient air has decreased so much that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has waived the lead monitoring requirement for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality since 2003. 

Some lawmakers, specialists and advocates argue that emissions from leaded fuel at PIR are minimal at best. This includes Troy Abercrombie, a drag racer and natural resource conservationist. 

"The amount of leaded fuel emissions from this activity would be minimal, even if every single vehicle used leaded race gas," Abercrombie testified, who also pointed out that many racers are already transitioning to alternative fuels like E85 and methanol. 

Rep. Emerson Levy (D) similarly expressed concerns about the correlation between lead exposure and lower test scores. "The DEQ did a study in 2022 that showed no lead was above the ambient air quality standards. We need to be very careful with causation and correlation when making statements," Rep. Levy stated.  

Keith DiBrino, a board advisor for the Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association, echoed these sentiments. "There's already been a transition moving towards unleaded race gas. The last thing we need [in this industry] is more regulation," DiBrino said. 

Economic Impact on Local Businesses 

In a letter to the committee, Victor Muñoz, PRI and SEMA senior manager for state government affairs, emphasized the substantial economic contributions of PIR operates with a $2 million budget and would face substantial revenue losses of more than $600,000 if the bill is enacted, risking its closure. Major racing events hosted at PIR, such as IndyCar, NASCAR, the Rose Cup, and the Oregon Motorcycle Road Race Association's events, generate over $32 million annually for Portland's economy. The potential loss of these events would impact local businesses, hotels, restaurants and tourism. 

Muñoz also highlighted the economic impact of the specialty automotive aftermarket industry, which supports grassroots racing enthusiasts in Oregon to the tune of over $3 billion in economic impact and supports more than 14,000 jobs.  

Lewis Fitzgerald Holland, a resident of the Portsmouth neighborhood, echoed the value of the track, which extends beyond dollars: "I believe that Rep. Nelson and some of the other backers of this bill are well-intentioned, but they have been led astray... PIR is woven into the fabric of North Portland, and this bill would be a poison pill for the future of the track."  

Next Steps Hinge on Committee 

Amendments to the bill were submitted in committee that extend the prohibition date to 2029, allowing PIR time to explore alternative events to offset lost revenue.  

As the debate continues, the Oregon House Committee will consider the testimonies and data presented by both supporters and opponents of the bill prior to voting on the bill in a future working session. The outcome will determine whether PIR will need to phase out leaded fuel by the end of the decade, dealing a devastating blow to the local grassroots racing community. 

For more information, please contact Muñoz at victorm@sema.org.  

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