Local Boys & Girls Club goes behind scenes to learn about NASCAR industry careers at Richmond Raceway
In the hours leading up to Sunday‘s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway, a local teenager named Jayden pumped up a large crowd gathered at the Toyota Racing Experience, eagerly awaiting a pre-race appearance by 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace. Jayden, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Richmond, urged cheers before tossing Toyota Racing hats, one by one, into the outstretched hands of race fans.
When Wallace, one of NASCAR‘s brightest star drivers, appeared from the backstage area to cheers and applause, Jayden and nearly 30 other Boys & Girls Club teens took their places in the front row to listen to the fan zone Q&A session. The opportunity to hear from and exchange high-fives with Wallace was just one part of a four-hour, pre-race experience hosted by NASCAR and Toyota Racing, and designed to educate high school-aged youth about career opportunities in the sport.
The day began with a special welcome from Lori Collier Waran, who was introduced this past June as Richmond Raceway president and the first woman to hold the position in race track history. Waran, who grew up in the Richmond area and once helped park cars in the track parking lots, invited club member Cheniyah to join her on stage when she addressed race attendees just before the race‘s green-flag start.
The club youth also met with a variety of industry professionals to learn about their roles in the NASCAR industry as well as their unique journeys into the sport. Kreig Robinson attended Boys & Girls Clubs as a child and now, after a longtime business relationship with Michael Jordan, oversees partnerships for 23XI Racing, the race team co-owned by the iconic basketball legend. Robinson spoke to the group from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond about the drive and commitment required to be successful in the pro sports industry.
Caryn Grant, who last week helped organize NASCAR‘s first-ever Bubba‘s Block Party event at Richmond Raceway, talked to the youth about her role within the sanctioning body‘s Diversity & Inclusion department. Greg Carty, manager of licensing and consumer products for NASCAR, provided insight into NASCAR‘s licensed merchandise and apparel business.
While touring the NASCAR Cup Series garage, the group learned about the competition-related roles and specifically the role of the engine manufacturer from Brandon Rouze, track support engineer for Toyota Racing Development. At the 23XI Racing hauler, the teens interacted with Jusan Hamilton, race director for Sunday‘s Federated Auto Parts 400 and the first Black race director to preside over the Daytona 500, as well as well-known industry pit crew coach Rocko Williams.
The behind-the-scenes experience concluded with a surprise meet-and-greet with Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young, who was in Richmond to lead the Cup Series field to green in the Toyota Camry pace car as the race‘s honorary pace car driver.
NASCAR‘s national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America launched in 2021 and focuses on STEM learning and career development and exploration across both digital and at-track experiences. Sunday‘s career-focused experience at Richmond Raceway was one of 15 at-track experiences hosted by NASCAR for local Boys & Girls Clubs across the country this season.
Toyota has a long-standing partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America aimed at providing life-changing experiences for club members. Since 2007, the partnership has awarded more than $2.4 million in academic scholarships and supported signature initiatives including Workforce Readiness and Youth of the Year. As a founding sponsor of BGCA‘s Workforce Readiness Strategy, Toyota‘s investment supports essential skill development, career exploration and work-based learning opportunities for club youth.
In addition to hosting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond at the Toyota Racing Experience, Toyota also provided 100 tickets to Sunday‘s race for club youth and staff.
