By Konrad Solberg 

When NASCAR drivers come to the Richmond Raceway, they rely on the team from the region’s emergency medicine team from VCU Medical Center — Virginia’s top hospital.  

VCU Health — with its flagship hospital, VCU Medical Center, in downtown Richmond — is the official healthcare provider of the Richmond Raceway, administering all onsite medical services when the rubber hits the road. 

While this relationship officially began following the 2017 renaming of the raceway to Richmond Raceway, VCU Health team members have a longstanding history of caring for NASCAR’s elite drivers. 

For instance, when NASCAR legend Jerry Nadeau fractured his scapula and injured his lungs and ribs after his car struck the wall in a 2003 practice session, he was taken to VCU Medical Center for treatment. Nadeau was so grateful for the team’s work, he visited the hospital later that year to personally thank the staff who treated him. 

Thousands flock to the Richmond Raceway for major events every year. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU Health’s emergency and critical care experience is precisely why teams are on-site for these major events. About 15 minutes from the raceway is VCU Medical Center, a Level I trauma center home to some of the highest-trained providers in the region. 

“Just like in the emergency department of VCU Medical Center, we see anybody that walks in the door,” said Jordan Tozer, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at VCU Medical Center and the race day medical director for the Richmond Raceway’s infield care center. 

Whether there’s an overheated fan or a member of the pit crew in need of help, the VCU Health event medicine team is well-prepared for any needs that come up on the track. 

How VCU Health provides world-class care at the Richmond Raceway 

Ideally, fans and drivers would all get home safely on race day, without any need for medical assistance, and VCU Health’s event medicine team would go unnoticed.  

But when the Virginia summer sun peaks over the Richmond Raceway’s 1,100-acre facility, tens of thousands of fans descend upon the track and its massive parking lots as professional drivers push 130 mph on the three-quarter-mile track, there are sure to be cases of heatstroke, alcohol-related incidents and the rare broken bone sustained in an accident. 

To meet every need during such a massive sporting event, the VCU Health event medicine team breaks up into two groups: outfield care and infield care. Each team has a center to take in patients at a moment’s notice.  

VCU Health has been the official healthcare provider of the Richmond Raceway since 2017. VCU Health’s event medicine team works closely with NASCAR officials like David Green, who was the 1994 NASCAR Busch Series Champion, to ensure racers and spectators are safe. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

When the rare emergency happens on the track, Tozer and his team at infield care ensure NASCAR crew and drivers receive whatever care they need. The most common issue seen by the infield care team, Tozer said, is dehydration. 

“Most of the time, as it pertains to the crew, we see minor trauma incidents from the work they’re doing on the cars,” he said. “Thankfully, because of all the safety devices in the cars and on the track, when it comes to the drivers, we’re seeing them mostly for screening examinations following accidents.” 

Outside of the track, the outfield care team provides medical services for any of the fans celebrating trackside or in the large parking area. 

“The team sets up essentially a mini emergency department,” said Allen Yee, M.D., an emergency medicine physician and the medical director of the outfield care center. 

With that setup, Yee said his team are capable of caring for minor injuries and illnesses, and they can stabilize more critical cases to prepare them for transport to the hospital. 

“With the summer weather, we see a lot of patients with heat exhaustion,” Yee added. “We can help hydrate patients with oral or IV fluids and have medicines to reduce nausea.” 

Besides heat-related cases, outfield care also sees injuries related to falls, chest pain, burns and other heart-related conditions. Serving a larger group and treating such a wide variety of medical problems, Yee and his team can experience substantially more action than the infield team. 

“It all depends on the weather,” he said. “If it is sunny and hot, we can expect over 40 patients. If the weather is mild, it can be a bit less.” 

Jordan Tozer, M.D. (right), medical director for the Richmond Raceway’s infield care center, with event medicine team members Melissa Rawllins, RN (middle), and Ashley Jackson, RN (left).(Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

With nearly a dozen VCU Health nurses, doctors and staff on hand at any given moment, the VCU Health event medicine team has a wide variety of personnel with different skillsets. Nearly every member of the team has emergency department and critical care experience. 

“We have a team of medic and transport workers as well, that are ready to go at a moment’s notice and get people where they need to be,” Tozer said. 

Similar to working in an emergency department, these healthcare providers can also put in long hours during the biggest events or when race times are moved around. 

VCU Health team members are often at the raceway until midnight. But weather and other unpredictable factors can change those schedules with little notice. Despite the long hours, these dedicated healthcare professionals are raring to go when the next shift starts. 

Attendees witnessed this over the weekend when there was a rain delay on the Friday of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series | 2026. After a late night, those donning VCU Health t-shirts were back onsite early as the morning sun warmed the asphalt. 

“On the long days when we have qualifying and a truck series race, we’ll be here from like 7 a.m. to midnight,” Tozer said. “We’ll see a lot more patients on longer days.” 

Aside from NASCAR races, VCU Health’s event medicine team is often seen at major events throughout the region, such as the Richmond Marathon. They are trusted members of the community, whose teamwork is clear as they care for athletes and spectators alike. 

“Our staff is able to handle any type of call ranging from minor care to critical care,” Yee said. “These folks working at the events have worked together for many years. It’s amazing to see them in action.” 

Allen Yee, M.D., is a VCU Health emergency medicine physician and served as the the medical director of the Richmond Raceway’s outfield care center. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

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