RTA Engaged For Voter Registration Effort

Co-chairmen and former U.S. Congressmen Heath Shuler (D-NC) and Connie Mack (R-Fla) have announced today that Rev the Vote, a nonpartisan Washington D.C.-based organization, has engaged the Race Team Alliance (RTA) to help promote increased voter registration among racing fans.

Formed in 2014, the Race Team Alliance represents 17 top racing organizations that compete in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series. Rev the Vote will leverage the assets and national reach of the RTA membership to amplify the importance of voter registration and participation in local and national elections.    

“This is a first,” said Shuler, a former college football star at the University of Tennessee and NFL quarterback. “While other initiatives have targeted motorsports racing fans in the past, this agreement creates a unique partnership, where the racing industry’s owners and teams will be assisting in delivering the message to its incredibly loyal fans about the importance of civil engagement.”

“This is a significant announcement for the RTA and its members,” said RTA Chairman Rob Kauffman. “The RTA was formed to have a collective voice and it is an honor that Rev the Vote selected the power of that voice to deliver an important message to American racing fans everywhere about registering to vote. We know racing fans like to be heard and we will promote taking that passion to the voting booth.”

This agreement allows Rev the Vote to utilize the broad reach of the RTA Member teams. The teams will provide social and digital outreach, as well as, at-track experiences, like hauler tours, pit box seating, meet and greets, hospitality and activation.

“Today marks a key milepost in our drive to bring the millions of unregistered racing fans into the electoral process,” said Mack, the great grandson of MLB Hall of Famer Connie Mack. “We are determined to play the lead role in making sure race fans, who represent a huge cross section of Americans, are heard as loudly on Election Day as they are on race day. With this important partnership, our mission becomes all the more attainable.”

Shuler, Mack and Kauffman made the announcement at a news conference Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as NASCAR Sprint Cup teams prepared for Sunday’s Brickyard 400.