JJK will serve as Grand Marshal of the Enjoy Illinois 300 Presented by TicketSmarter NASCAR Cup Series race on June 4
Madison, Ill. (March 20, 2023)— Raceway Gives, the philanthropy of World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR), along with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation have been awarded the 2023 Innovation in Philanthropy Award by the St. Louis Business Journal. The Innovation in Philanthropy Award celebrates partnerships that go above and beyond the standard philanthropic practices in new and creative ways.
Raceway Gives has a long-standing partnership with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation in East St. Louis to deliver motorsports-related STEM experiences to the youth served through Jackie’s organization. The raceway and Jackie’s center are just minutes apart and both organizations share a dedication to improving the lives of Metro East kids.
“We are honored to be recognized for our collaboration with Jackie,” said Curtis Francois, WWTR owner and CEO. “Together, we are working to serve as anchors for transformational change in St. Louis’ urban core.”
Joyner-Kersee will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 race, Sunday, June 4 and will host the first ever JJK5K run and walk event on Saturday, June 3 on WWTR’s 1.25-mile oval track. Run registration is available here.
“Serving the kids of East St. Louis has been my passion since retiring from competition, and earning this accolade for our work is a true honor,” said Joyner-Kersee. “I can’t wait to share our story with NASCAR fans in June.”
The collaboration has also won national attention, earning the 2021 Comcast Community Champion award, which recognizes the most compelling motorsports-related community contributions across the nation.
For additional information on WWTR’s Raceway Gives program, please visit www.RacewayGives.org.
About World Wide Technology Raceway
World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the home of NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA racing in St. Louis’ Metro East region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering nearly 700 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1/4-mile drag strip; 1.25-mile superspeedway; recently expanded 2.0-mile road course; the Gateway Kartplex state-of-the-art karting facility; and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and Owner Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2022 Explore St. Louis Hospitality Hero Recognition; 2022 Best in Show and Best Event & Festival from the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism; 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association.
