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In an effort to increase its already prevalent community involvement in Henrico County and the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area, Richmond International Raceway is working through The NASCAR Foundation—a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization—to operate a charitable program that will provide even more support to nonprofit organizations throughout the community. Richmond International Raceway Cares, through The NASCAR Foundation, was developed to help better the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area and the surrounding communities.

Richmond International Raceway has long been recognized for its extensive community involvement. Through tens of thousands of dollars in monetary donations, in-kind gifts and fundraisers; countless hours of volunteering time and hosting major fundraising events, the Richmond International Raceway staff already has a prominent presence in the Henrico County and Greater Richmond Metropolitan communities.

"The Richmond International Raceway team has always been dedicated to improving the quality of life of our neighbors and the residents of Henrico County and the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area," said track president Doug Fritz. "By establishing Richmond International Raceway Cares, through The NASCAR Foundation, we will be able to formally expand our efforts by providing much-needed additional support to Richmond-area groups in need."

"Richmond International Raceway has a rich history of community involvement that's important to our fans and a large part of our sport," said NASCAR President Mike Helton, who is also a board member of The NASCAR Foundation. "Our goal at The Foundation has been, and will always be, to harness the power of the NASCAR family and help worthy causes that are close to all our hearts. Richmond International Raceway Cares fits that bill."

About Richmond International Raceway Cares:
Richmond International Raceway Cares is dedicated to assisting charities, causes and events in the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area that focus on—but are not limited to—youth, education and recreation.

Through The NASCAR Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Richmond International Raceway Cares donates racing-related items and offers financial support to assist community outreach programs and other nonprofit charities. Working with The NASCAR Foundation, Richmond International Raceway Cares was started and is run by the Richmond International Raceway staff.

Richmond International Raceway Cares strives to help meet the needs of the local area by bettering the community through fundraising opportunities, providing donations and volunteering time and effort for local worthy causes. Richmond International Raceway and Richmond International Raceway Cares aim to improve the quality of life for the residents in and around the Greater Richmond Metropolitan community.

About The NASCAR Foundation:
The NASCAR Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: www.nascar.com/foundation.

Richmond International Raceway is not only known for great racing action, but also for its extensive community involvement. Whether it's a monetary donation, an in-kind gift, a fundraiser initiated by the staff, or staff members volunteering their time, Richmond International Raceway is a prominent force in the Henrico County and Greater Richmond Metropolitan communities.

Richmond International Raceway president Doug Fritz is on the Board of Directors at the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation and the Richmond Sports Backers. He is also on the Henrico County Public Schools Communication Committee, as well as the Advisory Board of The Salvation Army. In April 2005, Fritz was named Henrico County Business Leader of the Year.

After being named track president Fritz formed a neighborhood committee to facilitate better communication between the community and Richmond International Raceway, encouraging neighborhood residents to voice their opinions and concerns in an open forum. Furthermore, the track hosts a Neighborhood Picnic each year during the summer in conjunction with National Night Out, an event that aims to bring neighbors together, prevent crime and strengthen relationships between the public and police officers. The picnic includes food, games, pace car rides, activities for kids and tours of the facility.

The Richmond International Raceway staff has also initiated fundraisers and volunteered to help in the community. The Faison School for Autism has benefited from bowling and go-kart events held by the raceway and Virginia native and NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler. The track conducts food drives to benefit the Central Virginia Foodbank, providing more than 1,000 pounds of food to those in need. Richmond International Raceway also annually serves as a dropoff point for new, unwrapped toys for the Marine Toys for Tots campaign. Additionally, the raceway donates a substantial amount of toys to this worthy cause. The Richmond Raceway Complex also hosts benefit walks for the American Diabetes Association, March of Dimes, Arthritis Foundation and National Kidney Foundation.

In the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and tropical storm Gaston, Richmond International Raceway donated a sizeable amount of merchandise, including clothing, blankets and water bottles to assist displaced families who were relocated to the Greater Richmond Area. Richmond International Raceway also responded to the devastation experienced by Hurricane Isabel and a subsequent tornado in 2003, which resulted in severe, widespread damage to families and homes in the surrounding areas. Raceway officials distributed more than 2,000 bags of ice, as it was one of the biggest needs for area residents following the natural disasters.

The Richmond International Raceway staff also volunteers to deliver meals to shut-ins and disabled persons through the Meals on Wheels program. During the holidays, Richmond Raceway Complex hosts a Community Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring a grand illumination of an enormous holiday tree and holiday entertainment from local elementary, middle and high schools.

Richmond International Raceway also gives back to the community through monetary donations. In any given year, the track makes donations to organizations such as: VCU Children's Medical Center, Central Virginia Foodbank, The Faison School for Autism, Henrico County Public Schools, Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Richmond Sports Backers, Henrico Christmas Mother, American Cancer Society, Virginia Performing Arts Foundation, Essex Village Community Outreach Center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Alzheimer's Foundation, North Richmond YMCA, Virginia Home for Boys, Motor Racing Outreach, Medical College of Virginia, William Byrd Community House, Boy Scouts of America, Henrico High School, The Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels of Greater Richmond, Crippled Children's Hospital, Greater Richmond Retail Merchants, St. Joseph's Villa and many more.

Richmond International Raceway also annually donates in-kind gifts to more than 120 organizations of non-profit status. Some organizations included are: Victory Junction Gang Camp, Virginia Public Television, numerous private and public schools, area churches, Richmond Symphony, Lupus Foundation of Virginia, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Junior Achievement, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Cancer Society, Boy Scout troops, March of Dimes, Special Olympics, Spalding Foundation for Injured Drivers, Virginia Home for Boys and Girls, Toys for Tots, Habitat for Humanity and Speediatrics.