CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sitting alongside XFINITY Series wheelman Brennan Poole, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver John Hunter Nemechek was questioned — by an audience full of excited children — about pizza.
That’s right, pizza and not just any pizza, but his favorite kind.
“I’d have to go with pepperoni,” Nemechek, the NEMCO Motorsports driver explained. “You can throw a little bit of pineapple in that and make it a little bit sweet tasting …”
But pizza toppings weren’t the only sweet things Nemechek was talking about Monday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte.
The NASCAR National Series Tracks revealed, starting in 2017, children 12 and under can receive free admittance to all NASCAR XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series races, with each track setting guidelines for the program.
The announcement, met by loud cheers, was made during NASCAR’s first all-kids press conference streamed via a Facebook Live event.
“There really is no other experience like attending a NASCAR race in person, and that’s especially true for kids,” NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jill Gregory said in a press release. “So many children become lifelong NASCAR fans because their parents brought them to their first race, and this new ticket offering makes it even more affordable for families to create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Poole talked about just how special this NASCAR movement is, all while reminiscing.
“I’m excited about it. I remember being a young kid and a being fan so to create this opportunity for you guys to come in there and watch us race for free, I think is really special. …
“Some of the best memories for me as a kid were going to the races with my dad and … they’re all just special moments that I remember as a kid, spending time with my dad and watching racing and doing something that we love to do together.”
Young fans, however, don’t have to wait till 2017’s season opener at Daytona International Speedway to enjoy special perks. NASCAR also kicked off Kids Drive NASCAR — a week-long, youth initiative leading up to this weekend’s Camping World Truck Series event at Michigan International Speedway and the XFINITY Series thriller at Road America.
The Kids Drive initiative includes opportunities for kids, not only online, but at the track to have activities and programming.
“NASCAR Hammer Down” host Karsyn Elledge — niece of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and daughter of Kelley Earnhardt Miller — and NASCAR Next drivers Todd Gilliland and Harrison Burton capped off the event.
All three cheered the movement, and Elledge even plans to “bring my little brother” to next year’s events.
You can watch Poole at Road America (Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, NBCSN) wheeling the No. 48 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet while Nemechek will be at Michigan (Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, FS1) in the No. 8 Chevy.