Virginia State University will host the 2009 NASCAR College Tour on Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 10. The NASCAR College Tour will include an academic game show and scholarship competition, Thinkfast, on Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Virginia Hall Auditorium, and a symposium and networking session for students, to take place on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. in the L. Douglas Wilder Auditorium.

In the academic gameshow, Thinkfast, teams of four students will compete in NASCAR and academic trivia for an opportunity to win a NASCAR-funded academic scholarship.

NASCAR symposium speakers will discuss NASCAR diversity efforts and offer insight and opportunities into the motorsports industry. Symposium speakers will include Todd Ervin, senior director, Brand Strategy and Market Insight, NASCAR; Dion Williams, rear tire carrier/mechanic- #5 Kellogg’s/Carquest Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports; Kristal Shipp, manager, Western Region Media Outreach; Phil Horton, pit crew coach/founder and CEO, Athletic Training Concepts; Arionne Allen, 2009 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program participant; and Brandon Thompson, senior account executive, Diversity Affairs, NASCAR.

Through their participation in the NASCAR events on campus, several students will be selected to attend a NASCAR race on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 at Richmond International Raceway.