When the date of this year’s fall NASCAR race at Richmond was announced, NASCAR and Federated Auto Parts recognized that the event would be the appropriate time to remember and honor the victims and heroes on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
The Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders will pay tribute and say “thank you” to all of the first responders throughout the country who risk their lives every day to serve and protect others.
“We knew it was appropriate to honor the memory of the victims of one of the worst days in our country’s history and recognize those who put their lives on the line that day,” said Phil Moore, senior vice president for Federated. “We will never forget the bravery of the police, firefighters and ordinary citizens who ran into those burning buildings 20 years ago. Since then, first responders continue to provide essential services to our country, especially during the challenging months of the pandemic. Honoring them all during the Federated 400 is a way for us to show our gratitude.”
Earlier this month, Richmond Raceway announced it will open its grandstands and FanGrounds to full capacity with no restrictions for the NASCAR playoff race weekend on Sept. 10-11. The track’s 75th-anniversary season will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 11 with the Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders at 7:30 p.m. ET.
“On a day we come together to cheer NASCAR’s best, we’ll also unite as one nation and sport to recognize 9/11 victims and first responders at Richmond Raceway,” said Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier. “We are grateful to our long-time partners at Federated Auto Parts for working together to remember and honor those impacted by a day we will never forget.”
“We are excited to have the fans return to Richmond Raceway for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders,” continued Moore. “We are looking forward to seeing our members, customers and vendor partners in attendance for an exciting weekend of racing and hospitality. We will host a group of first responders as our guests so they can experience the race firsthand and participate in race-day activities. As always, we want to thank Dennis Bickmeier and the entire staff at Richmond Raceway for helping to make our race day experience a first-class event.”
Federated has been the entitlement sponsor for the fall Cup Series race at Richmond since 2012. The Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders will also be the 30th anniversary of the fall Cup race being held under the lights at Richmond.
