Motorsports executives joined Indiana Governor Mike Pence and lawmakers recently for Indiana Motorsports Day in downtown Indianapolis to celebrate the achievements of Indiana's racing champions from 2012.  Representatives of four Indiana-based racing series champions and executives from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IZOD IndyCar Series, GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the National Hot Rod Association gathered at the Statehouse for the celebration.   Chip Ganassi Racing Teams Managing Director Mike Hull and GRAND-AM driver Scott Pruett were recognized in the Indiana Senate as well as the Indiana House of Representatives for their 2012 successes in GRAND-AM and their one-two sweep of the Indianapolis 500.  

 

Indiana is one of only four states to annually host races for each of America's four best known sanctioning organizations - NASCAR, INDYCAR, GRAND-AM and NHRA - as it welcomes race fans and teams for the Indy 500, Brickyard 400 and U.S. Nationals.  With more race tracks per capita than any other state, the motorsports industry pumps more than $3 billion through Indiana annually.  Indiana's motorsports industry also contributes more than 23,000 jobs for the state, paying an average annual wage of nearly $63,000, according to a recent Purdue University-led study, titled "Race to the Future: the Statewide Impact of Motorsports in Indiana."