'Rain or shine’: Lincoln Charter to hold graduation at Charlotte Motor Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. — The week of racing is over at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and now it’s time for graduates to take to the track.

More than 140 seniors from Lincoln Charter School will graduate Friday evening on the racetrack. It’s the first of several ceremonies at the speedway.

“We want to give every senior a way to be celebrated in the best way possible. So we have continuously tried to figure out ways to keep that celebration going and ways to add to the night beyond what we traditionally do,” said Melissa Lasarsky, the dean of student life.

Administrators at the high school said they’re excited for what will be a unique graduation experience -- rain or shine.

>> To stay on top of changing weather conditions be sure to download our free WSOC-TV Weather app

Nearly all of Lincoln Charter’s graduation Friday will happen in cars, following strict social distancing guidelines.

Lasarsky said their ceremony includes appearances on the speedway TV at the track by celebrities and politicians who have ties to the school. They are looking forward to making it a memorable experience for the Class of 2020.

“The speedway has been excellent in working through every detail. We have a rain plan in place. We’ve come this far and it’s all come together. The important thing is the seniors’ graduate, and rain or shine, it is going to happen,” Lasarsky said.

Initially, graduates were worried that if Thursday’s race was postponed, it would have caused problems for their graduation ceremony.

A spokesperson at Charlotte Motor Speedway said NASCAR would do everything possible to get the race finished Thursday night, and they did.

Officials said there are some surprises lined up for graduates.

>> The ceremony starts at 7:30 p.m. and we will be showing the unique graduation at 11 p.m. on Channel 9.

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