GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2011

SESSION LAW 2011-187

SENATE BILL 322

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 16^th day of June, 2011.

                                                                    s/  Walter H. Dalton

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Thom Tillis

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         Governor

Approved 12:10 p.m. this 21^st day of June, 2011