New Amenities & Fan-Favorite Activities at Richmond This Week

When fans flock to Richmond International Raceway this weekend for the April 28-30 NASCAR Weekend, they will notice several new amenities, as well as some returning fan-favorite activities. Those who don’t already have tickets for NASCAR’s return to Richmond can log on to www.rir.com for tickets and information. Here is a list of the great amenities awaiting fans this weekend:

Rodney Atkins Pre-Race Concert

The country music star will perform a pre-race concert on the track’s frontstretch prior to the Crown Royal Presents The Matthew & Daniel Hansen 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, April 30. A limited number of ticketholders who are 21 years of age and older may view the concert on the frontstretch. To receive passes for on-track access, ticketholders are invited to visit the Crown Royal booth located in the white VIBE tent on the midway, adjacent to the Old Dominion Building on Saturday, where they will receive a Crown Royal t-shirt and a lanyard, providing them access to the stage area for the concert. Ticketholders who do not have on-track access passes can still experience the concert from the grandstands.

Wider Seats

Nearly all of the grandstand seats have been widened and now measure 22 inches wide.

Backpacks and Larger Coolers Allowed

Fans may continue to bring their own food and beverage inside the gates at Richmond International Raceway. The new maximum allowed cooler size is 14x14x14 inches – large enough for 36 12-oz beverages. Guests may carry in their items in backpacks or daypacks. Each guest is allowed to carry in one backpack and one cooler.

Concourse Televisions

More than twenty 42” televisions have been installed throughout the concourse, underneath the grandstands.

Video Scoring Tower

Installed last season, the largest video scoring tower in NASCAR will display live race action, pre-race ceremonies, the Rodney Atkins concert, various events happening on Raceway property and many pre-produced videos and graphics. Additionally, fans can stick around after the checkered flag to watch Gatorade Victory Lane celebrations and post-race driver interviews from the Media Center.

Miller Lite Ultimate Tailgate

The ultimate tailgate party on Saturday will be at the Miller Lite Ultimate Tailgate, featuring live music, tailgate games, as well as great tasting Miller Lite and smoked barbecue on sale. Located near the Midway on the Amphitheater Hill, the Miller Lite Ultimate Tailgate is open to fans 21 years of age and older. The festive destination is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a southern rock band performing from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. While in the Ultimate Tailgate, fans have access to the Miller Lite Party Bar, which is loaded with big screen TVs and specials on Miller Lite drafts, as well as a smoked barbecue menu.

Caribbean Beach BBQ

Speaking of barbecue, if you’re looking for a laid-back, tropical environment, check out the brand-new Caribbean Beach BBQ inside Gate 40 all weekend. With a steel drum player, palm trees and sand, it’s like you’ve been transported to a Caribbean oasis. Island beers and tropical barbecue are available for purchase.

Chevy FanFest

Fan Fest presented by Chevrolet returns to the Midway Friday and Saturday. Chevy Fan Fest offer fans a free, family-friendly, interactive hospitality area, which includes displays, interactive games, show cars, children’s activities and more.

Chevy Ride & Drive

Visit Team Chevy (adjacent to FanFest) for a spin in one of Chevy’s hottest new rides in Richmond and get your complimentary Team Chevy t-shirt. Test drive a Cruze, Malibu, Volt, Equinox, Traverse, Tahoe or Silverado. You can even get behind the wheel of the Chevy Camaro or Corvette Grand Sport. The Team Chevy Test Drive is open to the public; drivers must be 18 years of age or older with a valid drivers’ license to participate.

American Indoor Karting

An outdoor karting will be set up in the Midway near FanFest for fans to turn laps in 9hp RX-7 karts, reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour. The karting track will be open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday of race weekend. Tickets to race are $20 for a 20-25 lap run on the track. A computer timing system will track lap times.

The Midway

Outside of the grandstands, Richmond International Raceway offers one of the best interactive and shopping experiences in all of racing, the Midway. The Midway features track and driver souvenir merchandise rigs, interactive displays, games, giveaways, music and more.

V.I.B.E.

The Virginia Industry Business Expo (VIBE), located on the Midway, adjacent to the Old Dominion Building, is an indoor display area, featuring displays and exhibitions from regional businesses, open to the public on Friday and Saturday.

Fans can purchase tickets to all three race days by logging on to www.rir.com or calling 866-455-7223. The weekend features the return of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Saturday night, as Crown Royal Presents The Matthew & Daniel Hansen 400 race. Advance tickets start at $45.

On Friday night, fans can catch the NASCAR Nationwide Series stars battling with some Sprint Cup Series drivers in the BUBBA burger 250 race. Advance tickets start at $30. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult in general admission sections.

The weekend begins Thursday, April 28 with two races in one night: the Blue Ox 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race, followed by the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown. Thursday’s tickets are $25 and children 12 and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult.