Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley Get Fresh View of NASCAR

NASCAR’s March weekend at Phoenix Raceway featured a slew of young Arizonans catching a glimpse of NASCAR for the first time. Members from the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley were invited out to the Avondale race track as NASCAR made their annual spring visit.

Prior to the race on Sunday, about 20 teenagers from the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley had the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour of a NASCAR race day. The students chatted one-on-one with members of the medical liaison crew, the race control group, race team members, and more to get a glance at the different career possibilities in NASCAR.

Last year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America was announced as the Official Youth Community Partner of NASCAR. The experience at Phoenix Raceway was designed to introduce students to the sport of NASCAR and the wide array of full-time roles and job opportunities in the racing community. The partnership between NASCAR and Boys and Girls Clubs of America focuses on connecting club youth to the sport through STEM learning and career development opportunities.

Part of the STEM learning experience also came in an esports event prior to Saturday’s race action. A Rocket League tournament featuring members of the Boys and Girls Clubs across the state began early in the week and the 16 finalists were invited to the track concourse prior to Saturday’s race. The final rounds were showcased on the eNASCAR hauler big screen as race fans filled in for the afternoon’s race.

NASCAR strives to create events such as this at every track the series visits to give the next generation a unique view of the possibilities in the sport aside from just being a driver.