RICHMOND, Va. (June 8, 2020) — Richmond Raceway (Richmond) is opening the track to Henrico County Public Schools‘ (HCPS) Class of 2020 for an unforgettable Graduation Victory Lap on June 10-12. With regular June commencement ceremonies called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Richmond will join each HCPS high school in celebrating its seniors as part of the three-part Graduation Celebration 2020.
The three events of the Graduation Celebration 2020 will include a virtual Graduation Ceremony Watch Party on June 8-11, a Graduation Victory Lap at Richmond on June 10-12, and a Cap and Gown Photo Session on a date and time to be determined by high schools for each graduate to capture the moment they accept their diploma. The events will enable graduates and their families and friends to mark the special occasion while also prioritizing the health and safety of the community.
“High school graduation is one of the most memorable experiences in life, so we are honored for Richmond Raceway to be a part of the Graduation Celebration for Henrico County Public Schools‘ Class of 2020,” said Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier. “In this time of uncertainty, we will continue to offer the Richmond Raceway Complex as a resource to support the greater Richmond region. As high school graduates cross the iconic Richmond start/finish line, they will have an unforgettable moment to take with them as they start the next phase of their lives.”
“The 2019-20 school year has been one of the most memorable in history, and graduation exercises will be, too,” said Dr. Amy E. Cashwell, Superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools. “We‘re thrilled to partner for this once-in-a-lifetime experience that brings our graduates and their families together as safely as possible under the current circumstances. The legacy of the Class of 2020 will be that they did whatever it took, and that includes graduation. We‘ll join our graduates in doing whatever it takes to honor and celebrate this amazing group of young people.”
On June 10-12, Graduation Celebration 2020 will give seniors and their families a chance to “process” safely as a group, while enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Richmond has offered HCPS a Graduation Victory Lap at America‘s Premier Short Track, where graduates and their immediate family members will parade in cars around the iconic ¾-mile D-shaped oval.
Seniors will arrive in decorated vehicles (one vehicle per graduate, with a nine-passenger limit) and be directed to the track by the official Richmond Toyota Camry pace car. Once in position, they will be able to tune to HCPS‘ student radio station to hear “Pomp and Circumstance” while cruising toward Richmond‘s start/finish line. Principals will wave a checkered flag as each graduate crosses the finish line while their names are announced in front of school faculty members and local dignitaries. The rain date for the event will be June 13.
Media will have access to cover the Mills E. Godwin High School Graduation Celebration on Wednesday, June 10 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dr. Amy E. Cashwell and Dennis Bickmeier will be available for interviews, along with some senior graduates. Media will enter the facility through the Main Gate and park in the infield. To RSVP, email [email protected].
To learn more about HCPS‘ Graduation Celebration 2020, visit henricoschools.us.
Richmond Raceway 2020 Season
The road to the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship will once again lead through Richmond on Sept. 11-12. The Action Track will be the second race of the first round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for the ninth annual Federated Auto Parts 400 on Saturday, Sept. 12. Richmond will also host the Go Bowling 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series Regular Season Championship race on Friday, Sept. 11. This will be the 29th consecutive year the fall race weekend is “under the lights” at Richmond.
NASCAR tickets are available for purchase in-person at the Richmond Ticket Office, via phone at 866-455-7223, or online at richmondraceway.com.
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About Richmond Raceway
Richmond Raceway is America‘s Premier Short Track annually hosting two NASCAR race weekends, featuring the NASCAR Cup Series and either NASCAR Xfinity Series or NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, and an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race weekend on the iconic ¾-mile D-shaped oval. Richmond Raceway is a regional leader for events including sports, live music and consumer trade shows. The Richmond Raceway Complex‘s 1,100 plus acre multipurpose facility hosts more than 200 live events over 280 event days annually including concerts with top national recording artists at Virginia Credit Union LIVE!, the region‘s only covered amphitheater. For more information, visit richmondraceway.com, richmondracewaycomplex.com, or vaculive.com.
