AN ACT to adopt stock car racing as the official sport of north carolina.

Whereas, stock car racing has played a significant role in the history, heritage, and culture of North Carolina; and
Whereas, stock car racing leads the way in the motorsports industry in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the motorsports industry has a six billion dollar economic impact in North Carolina annually and creates over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs; and
Whereas, North Carolina continues to grow and advance the grass roots of the sport of stock car racing with over 30 short tracks located throughout the State hosting over 700 events per year; and
Whereas, North Carolina educates and trains individuals in its University system and Community College system for jobs in stock car racing; and
Whereas, North Carolina is the home of the coveted stock car racing NASCAR Hall of Fame and the NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, North Carolina is the home of more than 90 percent of NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race teams; and
Whereas, Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts three stock car races annually in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, the most in‑season Sprint Cup events held at a single motorsports facility in the United States, and Charlotte Motor Speedway attracts more than one million visitors annually, most of whom are from other states; and
Whereas, North Carolina is the home of "The King," Richard Petty, stock car racing legend Junior Johnson, dubbed "The Last American Hero" by writer Tom Wolfe, and seven‑time champion, the late Dale Earnhardt; and
Whereas, North Carolina is the home of stock car racing, and North Carolina is committed to the continued growth and popularity of the sport; and
Whereas, stock car racing should be adopted as the State's official sport; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 145‑36.  State sport.
Stock car racing is adopted as the official sport of North Carolina."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 16th day of June, 2011.

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		 Walter H. Dalton
	 President of the Senate

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		 Thom Tillis
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

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		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 Governor

Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2011