Business View Magazine | May 2019

61 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE MAY 2019 and partners to offer as many options to support events as possible. Exhibits Incorporated does our pipe and drape, both for shows and for us on race weekends. Harris Electric has been with us, I think, since we were built in 1946, so we call them for all things electrical. We’re obviously a long-time Toyota sponsor, so the vehicles we drive on the property are Toyota-branded and manufactured in the U.S.. We also have some important new relationships – Virginia Lottery is partnering to support all the Wi-Fi initiatives on the property, and Dominion Energy is working on solar power and some other initiatives that may come to fruition in the future. “We are also a big community partner. We host Richmond Region Tourism, Chamber RVA, and other community events at the Complex. We always want local partners to be on property to showcase our new projects in the infield. Virginia Commonwealth University has a Center for Sport Leadership program and we do a Sports Executive Social for them in our Victory Fast facts about Richmond Raceway: LENGTH: ¾-mile D-shaped oval WIDTH: 60 feet with a 10-foot apron BANKING: 14 degrees in turns, eight degrees at starting line, two degrees on back stretch and two degrees on the front stretch SEATING: 51,000 PARKING: More than 800 acres of free parking IMPORTANT DATES: October 12, 1946: Track hosts its first race, which was an open-wheel race at what was then known as Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds. The track was a ½-mile dirt surface. April 19, 1953: First NASCAR race in the “Grand National Division” (today known as Sprint Cup Series) was won by Lee Petty 1959: Track begins hosting two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races per season, a streak that remains intact today 1968: Track surface is paved 1988: Track becomes known as Richmond International Raceway and undergoes a massive reconfiguration. Seating capacity is increased to 50,000 and the track is re-measured at ¾-mile, the current configuration. 1991: Lights are added so Richmond can host its events “under the lights.” 2003: Track surface is repaved. 2017: Track becomes known as Richmond Raceway and announces an infield renovation project called “Richmond Raceway Reimagined.” 2018: FanGrounds, modernized infield, opens as a new fan experience in the infield including new concession stands, seating areas, entertainment spaces, and a walkway in the new garages. R I CHMOND RACEWAY COMPLEX