Daniel Suárez Trackhouse Racing Richmond Advance

Saturday night’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond (Va.) Raceway might be one of the special moments of the 2021 of the season.

It has nothing to do with the expected close racing on the three-quarter mile, D-shaped oval or the importance of the second of 10 playoff races.

Instead, NASCAR and the world will use that day to recognize the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

For longtime race fans, Saturday night might seem reminiscent of 2001 when the Cup Series was expected to race at New Hampshire Speedway in Loudon on Sept. 16 before the 9/11 events postponed the race until November.

The Cup series returned to action at Dover (Del.) International Speedway on Sept. 23.

That day fans were given American flags, Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA”, Tanya Tucker sang “God Bless America” and the national anthem. Each car carried an American flag decal and to top it off, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the race.

Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch are the only drivers who competed at the 2001 Dover race and will compete again Saturday night.

Daniel Suárez’s No. 99 Good Sam Chevrolet will carry a decal created by NASCAR and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum on Saturday in Richmond.

First responder vehicles will lead the parade lap and teams will stand on pit road with American flags and 9/11 Memorial and Museum flags.

Suárez was a nine-year-old living in Mexico on 9/11 and recalls his grandfather telling him about the events in America.

The NBCSN broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday.