PRESS RELEASE — UPDATE ON LONG ISLAND DRAG STRIP REPORT: USMA REPORT NEARS COMPLETION - DRAG STRIP COULD PROVIDE OVER 17-MILLION IN ANNUAL COMMUNITY SPENDING BY VISITORS
February 4, 2019






Long Island, NY – The USMA's look into the economic benefits of a Drag Strip on Long Island continue to move forward with an expected release of the report in the first quarter of 2019. The USMA has been collecting data from racers, businesses, existing track owners, communities and other sources to compile the analysis. A key component to the report has been to focus on spending by non-resident visitors who bring new spending to Long Island and that is currently being lost to other regions and states.



The initial findings of the report show over 17-Million in annual spending by visitors to a Long Island Dragstrip. It's estimated that the track could see well over 300,000 visitors each year. In addition to racing related visitors the track will also produce added spending and tourism for non-racing events hosted at the facility such as fairs, festivals, concerts and specialized training.



One section of the report draws a comparison between the U.S. Open, which was recently held on Long Island and a Long Island Dragstrip. The U.S. Open provided 120-Million dollar impact to Long Island and attracted 35,000 spectators daily. This was a one-time special event. When all factors are considered a Long Island Drag Strip would equal the U.S. Open every 5-years. Year after year Long Island will have a consistent source of visitor spending.



A Long Island track would be the communities grounds for producing safer teen drivers and dramatically lowered illegal drag racing. Several existing programs outlined in the report show proven organizations have dramatically reduced illegal street racing accidents, deaths, and arrests. In addition, areas with a nearby track to properly train teens drivers have experienced much lower rates of teen accidents from distracted driving and loss of car control.



Shawn Stewart of the USMA said, “We are eager to get the report completed and released. There is a lot of data that we've collected and run through various methodologies created specifically for this study. Now we're in the final stages of getting it organized into a report that helps tell the story of the benefits a Drag Strip on Long Island.”



For more information visit www.UnitedStatesMotorsports.com.

Unfortunately, I doubt we will ever get a track back on the island. You have to see how local towns deny businesses here. From Sonic's to a checkers they get denied usually the excuse is it would cause too much traffic. Like u could cause any more traffic when it is already bumper to bumper traffic. However open another golf course or build low cost condos for 400,000 grand no problem.

More power to them if their effort nets some sort of result but kinda wishful thinking that a report filled with statistics and positive language is going to do much. Long Island racers and car guys have been telling the same story for years with little to no acknowledgement.

Also, comparing the US Open golf tournament to a drag strip is a bit of a stretch.

Just asking, but how many events are they going to hold to get 300K visitors a year?

Hope they can get it built though.

Thanks for posting that John,I got treed as always
It feels like 20 years since we lost the Hampton dragway and been fighting that long.Politics got in the several years we started a movement that Long Island needs a race track for a variety of reasons.With this intricate study,it will show actual results as to what a sports complex could do for the revenue of Long Island.
A thought of mine is with a sports complex that could bring NASCAR and the NHRA back to long that a tunnel could be built from the North Shore of long Island to Connecticut!!
Call me a dreamer but it could work and reduce traffic on RT 95 reducing some of the congestion going through NYC and south.
I am a believer and will not give up hope or my pushbutton shifter!

Me too! I heard local San Francisco news reports about Sears Point Raceway back in the 90's, early 00's where 150,000 attended NHRA over the three day event. NASCAR more like nearly .5 million. I would imagine that an NHRA track/multi use facility would do very well in the most populated concrete in the country...

Did you guys catch on Monday’s no prep race them showing the track they were racing at booked a music concert on the track earlier in the year to make some money. Someone’s using their head.

I said the same thing, very smart design.

Reading through our local track yearly schedule I see they have a Circus and a beer festival . Other than that the year is pretty much filled up with drag racing.

If this happens, it will be an enormous boost to both the local economy, businesses, hotels, Restaurants, gas stations, car chassis builders, speed shops, racer enthusiasms, car dealership sponsorships, car manufacturer events, and last but not least, call the facility National Speedway.

I'll sit in traffic to get my car to their gates. Pour the cement.

The former owner of the NHL's Islanders had a plan for a mixed use facility that would have shopping , entertainment and the team's new arena...........on his dime.
The local politicians nixed that deal for reasons that I am still not clear on.
Probably not hiring enough of their relatives or kicking back enough to them.
But it is an up hill battle.
I wish the folks behind it all the luck in the world.
But I am not optimistic.
These days , it requires a minor miracle to get a city council behind anything motorsports related.

Governor Cuomo is a huge car enthusiast. He grew up around muscle cars.

The local politicians nixed that deal for reasons that I am still not clear on.
Probably not hiring enough of their relatives or kicking back enough to them.

Avoid anyone named Cuomo

My sentiments exactly.

She ain't sung YET!!RIP Davey Jones,I'm a believer

Currently living in Florida,but raced at New York National Speedway during the 70's and was some of the best times and racing of my life.That place was the definition of drag racing!Being located on Long Island,and at sea level,the cars performed fantastic, as the place was loaded with race shops.Arrive very early before the track officially opened,and you got to see big bucks,NY street racers make some incredible "NO TIME" passes.At the bigger events,the place was packed with spectators as well as racers.Prostocks, altereds, gassers,Super Stocks,Nitro cars-everything ran out there.
Though I will probably never get to race there,I am so hoping this for you guys, that this new facility gets built.It can't miss if it is given the honor of being the 'NEW'New York National Speedway!Fullmetaljacket is right, the people will line up for this one. Good Luck!! Bill

I saw Shirley Muldowney break the 6 second mark there

Was my home track untill it closed,the E/town had to the home track.How did that work out for me..........

Sunrise Hwy Exit 57?