Commending Richmond Raceway.

Commending Richmond Raceway.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 26, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 2, 2026
WHEREAS, in 2026, Richmond Raceway celebrates its 80th anniversary of providing a unique and unparalleled stock car racing experience for both fans and drivers; and
WHEREAS, Richmond Raceway traces its roots to 1946 when a half-mile racetrack was built at the Atlantic Rural Exposition fairgrounds in Henrico County; the first race at the dirt track was held on October 12, 1946; and
WHEREAS, Richmond Raceway hosted its first National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) Grand National Division race on April 19, 1953, where future NASCAR Hall of Fame-inductee Lee Petty won the race with an average speed of 45.535 miles per hour; since then, the historic track has been home to numerous thrilling NASCAR contests of skill, speed, and technical prowess; and
WHEREAS, today, Richmond Raceway is the oldest active NASCAR Cup Series track on the East Coast and is one of the most important racing venues in the Commonwealth; in its lifetime, Richmond Raceway has undergone numerous name changes and configurations, and the original dirt track is now an asphalt surface; and
WHEREAS, racing fans have flocked to Richmond Raceway for its race weekends since 1959; the track's current configuration, built in 1988, is a three-quarter-mile-long, D-shaped oval, the only such track in NASCAR; lights were added 35 years ago in 1991, allowing Richmond to host popular nighttime races; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, Richmond Raceway partnered with Henrico County and the Commonwealth to complete the redevelopment of the historic infield, now known as the Virginia is for Lovers Infield FanGrounds, making it one of the most fan-friendly infields in motorsports with unmatched accessibility to drivers and crews; and
WHEREAS, the annual NASCAR race weekend features the NASCAR Cup Series and either the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series or the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, Richmond Raceway welcomed the return of Saturday night racing under the lights and delivered the first sell-out since 2008; and
WHEREAS, Richmond Raceway's NASCAR weekend attracts thousands of spectators from across the region, all 50 states, and multiple countries to the Commonwealth year after year, many of whom stay on site or in hotels throughout the region to be part of the excitement, camaraderie, and world-class racing experience; millions of other fans have viewed world-class racing at Richmond Raceway on national broadcast television; and
WHEREAS, racing enthusiasts of all ages eagerly anticipate NASCAR racing at Richmond Raceway since the historic track is one of the most popular racing venues for racing fanatics and competitors, featuring the excitement and challenge of short-track side-by-side racing; the track configuration allows drivers to reach speeds usually seen at large speedways, resulting in some of the most competitive racing on the planet with unforgettable finishes and memorable experiences for the many devotees of the sport; and
WHEREAS, Richmond Raceway is a regional leader for events including sports, live music concerts, and consumer trade shows in addition to NASCAR races, providing entertainment experiences for local residents and people from many states and delivering a strong economic impact for the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Richmond Raceway on the occasion of its 80th anniversary in 2026; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jim France, chair and chief executive officer of NASCAR, Lesa Kennedy, executive vice chair of NASCAR, and Lori Waran, president of Richmond Raceway, as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and admiration for NASCAR's many years of offering world-class stock car racing in the Commonwealth and providing lasting memories for thousands of fans.