The North Carolina Motorsports Association's (NCMA) Short Track Council held a special meeting on Tuesday May 22nd in Garner (NC) for a panel discussion of the economic and community impact of Short Track/Grass Roots Racing in the state of North Carolina. The panel consisted of a diverse group of highly experienced individuals, Tony Gurley (Wake County Commissioner), Derek Chen (NC-Department of Commerce Motorsports Director), Steve Earwood (President Rockingham Dragway), JSam Daniels (Political/Marketing Consultant) Andy Papa (Executive Director of NCMA) and Robert Johnson (TrackLegislation.com).

The group of track owners/promoters discussed with the panel ways that tracks can further their involvement with local communities and strategically expose their impact. Tracks agreed that working together and developing an impact study is a good start to accomplishing growth. The Short Track Council has begun the process of developing a grass roots racing impact study that will provide a greater understanding of the tracks impact both on a regional and state level. The council also announced plans to conduct a "Salute to Grass Roots Racing" weekend this year at all tracks across the state.

"Short track racing has changed dramatically over the last several years," said Shawn Stewart, Director of Membership/Councils for the NCMA. "We need to take some time to study where we are with grass roots racing, what their impact is and how best to move forward from here."

"I don't agree with some who say short track racing is dead, because it's not. There are literally hundreds of tracks across the country and thousands of race teams operating each weekend. That is far from dead. Short Tracks are going through a new phase of life. And in life sometimes you have to stop and take a look at what you've been doing for years and if it's not working then make some adjustments and re-think your strategy. Problems are opportunities and that's what we hope to accomplish through the Short Track Council."