Auto Racing as Florida's Official Sport Cruises by Senate Committee

A bill to name auto racing as the official sport of Florida sped through a green flag in the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee Wednesday.

Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Daytona Beach, the sponsor of SB 266, said Florida is the only state with three major speedways and the sport is a major economic engine, drawing tourists and auto parts makers.

A similar version of the bill received was narrowly backed in the House State Affairs Committee earlier in the day, with some representatives saying the state is too varied in its sporting options available to children and adults, with its history of baseball, football, golf, swimming and surfing.