Three Years of Speediatrics: RACC Returns to the NASCAR R&D Center

For the third year, Raise a Child Carolinas joined The NASCAR Foundation for the Speediatrics Fun Day Festival, helping bring together 150 children, including participants from Firm Foundations and Raise a Child Carolinas, for a day centered on health, wellness, STEM, and NASCAR-inspired fun.

The 2026 festival, powered by Kaulig Racing, welcomed participants to the NASCAR Research & Development Center. Children rotated through racing-themed activities and physical challenges designed to make movement, healthy choices, and learning fun.

For RACC, Speediatrics has grown into more than a one-day event. Over the past three years, the partnership has given youth another way to connect what they learn with real-world experiences, while exploring the people, careers, technology, and innovation behind NASCAR.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Throughout the festival, youth put their skills to the test through pit-crew challenges, fitness stations, racing games, and a little friendly competition.

The activities gave them a chance to problem-solve, stay active, and see how health, science, engineering, and performance all intersect within the sport.

That connection is important to the way we approach out-of-school learning at RACC. Sometimes the lesson happens at a table. Other times, it happens while changing a tire, racing against the clock, or trying something completely different from the day before.

The Fun Continued After the Festival

The day ended with a surprise that brought plenty of smiles.

Thanks to Ford Racing, each participating child received a brand-new bicycle, helmet, and pair of athletic shoes to encourage them to keep moving long after the festival ended. Dollar Tree also provided snack packs for each child.

It was a fitting way to close a day focused on healthy living, movement, and fun, and one they will not soon forget.

Investing in What Comes Next

This year’s festival also included another meaningful moment for Raise a Child Carolinas.

The NASCAR Foundation presented RACC with a $15,000 grant to support our continued work with children and families.

For us, that investment allows us to continue creating out-of-school learning programs that expose youth to new possibilities, inspire bold dreams, and give them the tools, resources, and support to keep growing.

Three Years and Counting

Our first Speediatrics experience in 2024 introduced 100 RACC participants to NASCAR-themed learning, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the Fun Day Festival.

Three years later, we are grateful to continue building on that relationship.

Partnerships like this are an important part of how RACC brings learning to life. They allow us to connect youth with new ideas, industries, professionals, and experiences while creating moments they can carry with them beyond the program.

Thank you to The NASCAR Foundation, Kaulig Racing, Ford Racing, Dollar Tree, Firm Foundations, the volunteers, and everyone who helped make this year’s festival possible.

Watch the 2026 Charlotte Recap

Want to see more from the day? Watch The NASCAR Foundation’s official recap of the 2026 Speediatrics Fun Day Festival at the NASCAR R&D Center.