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Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley learn about NASCAR at Phoenix Raceway
By Chase Wilhelm | Tuesday, March 15, 2022
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The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley kids had the opportunity to experience multiple areas of the NASCAR industry during the race weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Take a look at the career immersion as the kids interacted with crew members and other industry representatives during the visit.
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On Saturday, 16 kids competed in Phoenix Raceway's GamerThon tournament where they had the chance to compete against each other in Rocket League.
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The kids learned how their gaming skills can translate into many STEM jobs in NASCAR and esports.
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Drake from Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley earned the championship for the second straight year. He also won last year's tournament during NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix in November.
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After the GamerThon tournament, kids headed to the stands to take in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race. We like this kid's shades and we thought Money Team Racing and Kaz Grala would, too.
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On Sunday, a different group of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley walked through the infield, interacted with crew members and other industry representatives. Spiderman even made an impromptu appearance.
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The kids pose for a quick photo in front of the infield NASCAR logo before walking through the garage area.
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Phoenix Raceway's band made an appearance before we kicked off the career immersion.
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Jose Blasco-Figueroa, crew member on Daniel Suárez's No. 99 Trackhouse Racing team, speaks with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley kids in the infield.
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Blasco-Figueroa used to be a teacher before working his way into NASCAR, so he was back in his element as he answered questions and taught the kids about his side of the NASCAR industry.
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Kids take a look at Harrison Burton's No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford in the garage before the race.
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The kids get an explanation of how the Next Gen car works as the look on in the garage area.
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The kids take a look at Cody Ware's No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford.
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They all had to capture the moment in the garage area.
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After talking with Jose Blasco-Figueroa, the kids then had the chance to check out Suárez's No. 99 car before it hits the track.
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Edwin Gotay, managing director of partnership marketing, teaches the kids about his background and how he got into NASCAR.
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The kids had a blast learning about NASCAR taking in the behind-the-scenes experience.
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Tiffany Myrick, senior coordinator of track services at NASCAR, speaks to the kids before they head in to check out race control.
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The kids take in what a day in race control is like as Mike Phillips of NASCAR Track Services explains how it all works.
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The kids then made their way to the stands to watch the Cup Series race.
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It's safe to say the kids enjoyed their time learning about NASCAR and getting to see the sport up close.
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