Motorsports Industry Powers $69.2 Billion U.S. Economic Engine, Supports Over 318,000 Jobs, New Study Finds
 

Groundbreaking PRI economic industry study highlights how motorsports businesses serve as a key driver of American economic activity.
 

PRI today released a landmark study that underscores the motorsports industry's pivotal role as a key contributor to the U.S. economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, generating billions in economic activity and delivering substantial tax revenue. 

PRI, the leading voice for the motorsports industry in the U.S., commissioned the research, which was conducted by John Dunham & Associates, based on 2025 U.S. economy data. The study encompasses automobile, truck, motorcycle and UTV/side-by-side racing activity.   

Traditionally, economic impact reports about racing are focused on the impact of a single event--major race weekend events for a specific local and state economy.  Those are studies that examine the impact of the tourism dollars that come into the economy as a result of that single event. PRI's report is different because it determines the economic impact of the businesses that support the existence of racing in the first place. 

PRI's research represents the most comprehensive assessment of motorsports' economic footprint ever undertaken to quantify the scale and significance of the business of racing to the U.S. economy. It evaluates the economic contributions from multiple racing businesses--including tracks and promoters, parts manufacturers, distributors, retailers, service providers and incorporated race teams.  

Key findings from the study include:  

• The industry contributes more than $69.2 billion in annual economic impact to the American economy. 
• Nationwide, the motorsports industry supports more than 318,000 American jobs.  
• American workers in the motorsports industry earn more than $22.1 billion worth of wages and benefits.  
• The industry generates more than $8.2 billion in tax revenue, including $5 billion in federal taxes and $3.2 billion in state and local taxes. 
  
   

As part of this study, PRI also launched an interactive economic impact map, enabling users to explore motorsports-related data by state and county--highlighting the industry's reach and relevance in communities of all sizes across the country. The website also offers downloadable infographics that can be shared with policymakers and other businesses to show the impact motorsports has on individual states and communities. 

The PRI Economic Impact Study provides valuable data about the economic footprint of the motorsports industry in the U.S. PRI undertook this effort to provide policymakers, industry stakeholders and the public with credible, data-driven insights into racing's role as a major driver of economic activity, employment and tax revenue. The study not only affirms the industry's significance but also serves as a foundational resource to inform advocacy, investment and long-term planning. 

"Racing holds a special place in American life, and this milestone report highlights the broad scope of the motorsports industry as an economic driver at the local, state and federal levels," said PRI President Michael Good. "Using these results as a foundation, PRI will continue to seek ways to foster the motorsports industry, from racetracks to manufacturers, and from small businesses to major national employers, to ensure motorsports continues to touch every part of the country and bring together people from all walks of life for competition and community. We're proud to serve as the leading voice for the motorsports industry in the U.S. and will continue delivering the data needed to demonstrate the industry's economic strength and value." 

This economic impact study represents an important bookend to PRI's 2024 Racing Market Report, a consumer trends analysis that found that consumers spent $8 billion on track-use-only parts for motorsports in 2023.

In 2023, a study commissioned by the SEMA found that the automotive aftermarket industry generates an economic impact of $337 billion annually to the American economy. While the motorsports study found small areas of overlap in the parts, repair and facilities areas, the motorsports study results are a complement to the SEMA report. PRI was acquired by SEMA in 2012 to connect, protect and advocate for the motorsports industry. 

Report Methodology 

The PRI Economic Impact Study estimates the economic contributions made by the motorsports industry, which includes manufacturers, distributors and retailers of automotive racing parts plus racetracks, race promoters, and professional race teams.  Data are for the United States economy in 2025. John Dunham & Associates (JDA) conducted this research, which was funded by Performance Racing Industry (PRI). This work used standard econometric models first developed by the U.S. Forest Service, and now maintained by IMPLAN Inc. Data came from the PRI, Data Axle, and other government sources.  

About Performance Racing Industry 

Performance Racing Industry fuels the passion for motorsports by building, promoting, and protecting the worldwide racing community. PRI supports the interests of racers, enthusiasts, builders, tracks, sanctioning bodies and businesses through legislative action and advocacy, its monthly business magazine Performance Racing Industry, and the world's premier motorsports trade show, the PRI Trade Show. PRI also supports businesses by providing market research, education and best practices in motorsports business and racing technology. For more information, visit PerformanceRacing.com.