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Boys & Girls Club tours speedway as part of NASCAR diversity program

CONCORD, N.C. — The Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County got an exclusive tour of the Charlotte Motor Speedway where the Roval 400 took place on Sunday.

The kids got a chance to meet NASCAR drivers and explore career paths in the organization.

Eighth grade student Zarriya York and 10th grader Ariyan Ford were one of 20 children at the speedway.

“I just like coming and watching races because the people coming to watch are positive and uplifting,” York said.

Alec Forney, a middle school director for the Boys and Girls Club of Cabarrus County, brought the group of kids to the Bank of America Roval 400 as part of the club’s two-year-long partnership with NASCAR.

Some parents were skeptical about the program that integrates NASCAR.

“Whenever we first came out here, it was right after the whole Bubba Wallace garage incident, and (parents) were very skeptical,” said Forney.

Wallace discovered a noose hanging in his team’s garage in 2020.

Forney said that bringing the group of children and their parents to the track helped change perspectives.

Since 2020, NASCAR has doubled down on its diversity outreach, which has been around since 2004, including initiatives such as the Boys & Girls Club of America’s Youth Community Partnership.

There are three core areas the partnership focuses on STEM education, career development and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

“Not just a driver,” Forney said. “The opportunities that come out here and learn more about the jobs outside of driving.”

Sunday’s tour included the in-field medical center, pit road, broadcast facility and corporate offices.

“I would like to become someone in the medical field and see how the paramedics and EMTs come down so quickly and they help people,” York said.

Ford said she was inspired by the traveling and was astonished about how much the vehicles cost.

It is a future that they never envisioned for themselves.

“I want to be able to see and learn more about how they do that,” York said.

Despite challenges that may happen in an industry trying to change perceptions and assumptions, Forney said that he’s committed to helping these teens explore all the possibilities.

“If they want to go into racing, that’s what I want for them,” Forney said. “I don’t want no hurdles in their way. I don’t want race to be an issue for them.”

VIDEO: 13 young drivers selected for chance to be in NASCAR program that promotes diversity

Jonathan Lowe

Jonathan Lowe, wsoctv.com

Jonathan is a reporter for WSOC-TV.