Women’s motorsports and the fight for the right to race take center stage in this conversation with Tierra Hubbard, Director of Government Affairs for Racing at SEMA and PRI. She breaks down what advocacy looks like in real life, why legislation matters for racetracks, and how policy decisions can protect an entire motorsports ecosystem.
Melinda Russell and Tierra also unpack a major misconception about right-to-race laws: these bills do not override local government authority. Instead, they help protect long-standing tracks from nuisance lawsuits when development moves in around them. The conversation goes beyond racing to show how these issues affect jobs, tourism, local businesses, and the future of grassroots motorsports.
Tierra shares what her work looks like across 50 states, how lawmakers are educated, and why motorsports supporters need to stay engaged. She also offers practical ways listeners can help if they want to support racetracks in their own communities.
Key Topics
[00:02:29] - Introduction to Tierra Hubbard and her role in government affairs for racing
[00:06:53] - How right-to-race advocacy works across state legislatures
[00:11:27] - Michigan’s right-to-race bill and current legislative status
[00:13:41] - Clearing up misconceptions about local zoning, home rule, and racetrack protections
[00:17:09] - The impact of nuisance lawsuits on long-standing racetracks
[00:23:45] - Nearly 300 lawmakers contacted across 41 states
[00:24:20] - States that have already passed right-to-race legislation
[00:26:41] - How listeners can get involved and support motorsports advocacy
[00:30:45] - Why motorsports is bigger than the race itself: jobs, tourism, and family legacy
[00:33:29] - The $70 billion economic impact of performance racing in the U.S.
Relevant Links
SEMA Advocacy: https://www.sema.org/advocacy
PRI: https://www.performanceracing.com/
SEMA: https://www.sema.org/
Freedom Race Lifts: https://freedomracelifts.com/
Pit Crew Creations: https://pitcrewcreationsshop.etsy.com/
SendOutCards: https://www.sendoutcards.com/
Tierra encourages anyone interested in helping to visit the SEMA advocacy page, contact their lawmakers, or reach out directly for guidance on where to start. Whether it’s writing a letter, attending a hearing, or simply spreading awareness, every action helps strengthen the future of motorsports.
If you care about short tracks, drag strips, and the communities built around them, this conversation is a reminder that advocacy matters just as much as horsepower.