HALL OF FAME VOTING DAY OCTOBER 13

 The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) has announced that “Voting Day” for the second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be Wednesday, Oct. 13 at the hall, in Charlotte, N.C. NASCAR broadcast partner SPEED will carry the announcement of the second class live at 4 p.m. ET. The public is invited to attend, with purchase of a NASCAR Hall of Fame general admission ticket.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, consisting of members of the Nominating Committee, will meet in a closed session to deliberate and vote on the 25 candidates eligible for this second class. The vote will be followed by a press conference announcing the five new inductees that will join the inaugural class of 2010, which consisted of NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt, Junior Johnson and Richard Petty, as well as NASCAR pioneers Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr.

The class will be chosen from the 53 votes cast by the panel and the nationwide fan vote – which ends Sept. 26 – conducted through NASCAR.COM. The accounting firm of Ernst & Young will preside over the tabulation of the votes.

The second class will consist of five members and is scheduled to be enshrined in May 2011.

The nominees, which include many of the sport’s legendary names and were announced in July, include: Bobby Allison, Buck Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Jerry Cook, Richie Evans, Tim Flock, Rick Hendrick, Jack Ingram, Dale Inman, Ned Jarrett, Fred Lorenzen, Bud Moore, Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, David Pearson, Lee Petty, Fireball Roberts, T. Wayne Robertson, Herb Thomas, Curtis Turner, Darrell Waltrip, Joe Weatherly, Glen Wood and Cale Yarborough.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame broke ground in Charlotte on Jan. 25, 2007 and opened on May 11 of this year. The facility honors the history and heritage of NASCAR and individuals who have contributed to the success of NASCAR.

NASCAR Hall of Fame October Event Schedule

NASCAR Hall of Fame October Event Schedule

September 29, 2010

2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Voting Day
Wednesday, October 13
Announcement to be made at 4 p.m. in the Great Hall
The 25 nominees for the 2011 Class were announced on July 1, 2010. The NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel will meet on October 13, 2010 to determine and announce the second five inductees. Watch the announcement live in the Great Hall at 4 p.m.  

Richard Petty Book Signing
Thursday, October 14 – Noon in the Great Hall
Inaugural Inductee Richard Petty will sign copies of his audio scrapbook.

Meet the 2011 Inductees
Saturday, October 16
The new class of inductees will make an appearance in the Great Hall the morning of Oct. 16. Watch www.NASCARHall.com for exact timing. 

Kasey Kahne Foundation 5K Run
Sunday, October 17 – 8 a.m.
Kasey Kahne Q&A – approx. 9:30 a.m. Ceremonial Plaza
Finish off the Charlotte fall NASCAR race weekend by joining NASCAR superstar Kasey Kahne on a 5K Charity Run and Kids’ Dash with his racing friends through Uptown Charlotte. Kasey and friends will participate in a Q&A at approx. 9:30 a.m. outside the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This inaugural event starts at Bank of America Stadium and finishes at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Proceeds benefit Kasey Kahne Foundation and beneficiaries Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte and NC STEM Community Collaborative. For event details, visit www.kaseykahnefoundation.org.  

Race Day Experience – Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 31 – Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
Tickets are $5 and include a FREE simulator ride and scanner use. Shown live in the Belk High Octane Theater – seats 278. Concessions and beer available for purchase. NASCAR Hall of Fame admission not required.

NASCAR Hall of Fame UPDATE

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 30, 2010 – 11 days until opening) – NASCAR Hall of Fame officials today released the names of NASCAR drivers, owners and executives planning to participate in the Tuesday, May 11 grand opening of the 150,000-square-foot facility in uptown Charlotte, N.C. As part of the historic day, 15 lucky customers will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame with a NASCAR celebrity.

Fifteen winners will be randomly selected from the names of everyone who has purchased an annual membership or ticket to visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 11. Tickets must be purchased before 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 4. The first five names drawn will get the unique honor of being the first to walk into the new NASCAR Hall of Fame at 10 a.m. Those five lucky fans will be accompanied by Inaugural Inductees Richard Petty and Junior Johnson, three-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion Darrell Waltrip, 5-time NASCAR Grand National Champion Jack Ingram and reigning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Ron Hornaday.

The remaining 10 names drawn will get to enter the venue with a well-known NASCAR competitor at their respective entry time. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is a timed-entry facility, meaning customers enter by appointment at the top of every hour. The 10 lucky fans will enter with NASCAR superstars Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and others. Sweepstakes winners will be notified prior to May 11. Complete rules are available at www.NASCARHall.com.   

“We are looking forward to the opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the opportunity to share this incredible experience with our guests.  I vividly recall the first time I met Richard Petty as a young boy and can personally attest that entering the Hall of Fame with these NASCAR stars will be a moment they will remember the rest of their lives,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “Not many people can say they were the first ever to walk into a new venue at its ribbon cutting, and it is extra special to walk in with the sport’s icons.”

NASCAR Champions and special guests confirmed to participate in grand opening activities throughout the day include Bobby Allison, Johnny Benson, Greg Biffle, Todd Bodine, Chuck Bown, Busch, Richard Childress, Brian France, Steve Grissom, Harvick, Mike Helton, Rick Hendrick, Hornaday, Ingram, Dale Jarrett, Ned Jarrett, Johnson, Kahne, Travis Kvapil, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Bud Moore, Joe Nemechek, Petty, Mike Skinner, Martin Truex Jr., Rusty Wallace, Waltrip and Rex White. More names may be announced at a later date.

“To have so many legends and current superstars at opening day demonstrates their belief in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s mission,” said Kelley. “Access to NASCAR drivers is signature trait of this sport, and we are proud to provide this stellar lineup of NASCAR celebrities to race fans, the Charlotte community and anyone visiting our city on May 11.”

The one-hour Opening Ceremony will begin promptly at 9 a.m. EDT and culminate with Petty, Johnson, Waltrip, Ingram, Hornaday and five lucky fans officially opening the interactive venue. The opening ceremony will be followed by a free community celebration outside the NASCAR Hall of Fame 10 a.m.-8 p.m. In addition to Bomshel, Lee Brice and Love and Theft concerts, other free outdoor activities will include driver appearances, question-and-answer sessions, autograph sessions, strolling entertainment and food vendors.

The star of the show that day will be the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Tickets to enter the high-tech, interactive attraction are on sale now and can be purchased at www.NASCARHall.com or by calling 877-231-2010. Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Memberships provide unlimited entry for one year and start at $25 for children and $50 for adults. Group discounts, facility rentals and sponsorships also are available by calling 704-654-4400.

 

Schedule of Events

*All Times EDT; Subject to Change

10 a.m.-8 p.m. – NASCAR Hall of Fame Facility Hours (Ticket Required)

9-10 a.m. – Opening Ceremony on the Ceremonial Plaza (Free; No Ticket Required;Standing-Room Only)

10 a.m.-8 p.m. – Community Celebration on the Ceremonial Plaza (Free; No Ticket Required)

Celebration includes: Autograph Sessions, Live radio shows, Driver appearances

10 a.m. – 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus on the Ceremonial Plaza (Free; No Ticket Required)

10:30 a.m. – MRN’s NASCAR Live with host Eli Gold on the Ceremonial Plaza (Free; No Ticket Required)

Noon – Lee Brice Concert on the Ceremonial Plaza (Free; No Ticket Required)

5 p.m. – Bomshel Concert on the Ceremonial Plaza (Free; No Ticket Required)

7 p.m. – Love and Theft Concert on the Ceremonial Plaza (Free; No Ticket Required)

The Ceremonial Plaza faces Martin Luther King Boulevard between Caldwell and Brevard Streets. Limited parking is available in the NASCAR Hall of Fame parking deck on Brevard Street. There are numerous garages and surface lots in the area. Guests are encouraged to use the Charlotte Area Transit System.

The Opening Ceremony will be broadcast live on SPEED from 9 a.m. – noon Tuesday, May 11.

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NASCAR Hall of Fame Grand Opening

Schedule Begins to Take Shape for NASCAR Hall of Fame Grand Opening

Country Music Rising Star Lee Brice to Play Free Afternoon Concert

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 12, 2010 – 29 days until opening) – NASCAR Hall of Fame officials today announced a second free concert planned for the May 11 grand opening of the 150,000-square-foot entertainment attraction in uptown Charlotte, N.C. 

 

Country music singer songwriter Lee Brice, a native of South Carolina, will perform a free concert at 2 p.m. May 11 on the Ceremonial Plaza of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Brice is currently touring with superstar Clay Walker and has an album scheduled to release on June 8 featuring his current hit single “Love Like Crazy.” The Curb Records artist wrote Garth Brooks’ “More Than a Memory” and Tim McGraw’s hit single “Still.”

 

“This grand opening is shaping up to be the can’t-miss-event of the year for Charlotte,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “First we announced Love And Theft for the 7 p.m. concert and now Lee Brice. He is a talented artist who will definitely put on a great show for our guests and the community. This concert will be the highlight of our afternoon schedule and a perfect after-school activity. Families can stop by to enjoy Lee’s music, meet NASCAR drivers, participate in kid-friendly activities and tour the NASCAR Hall of Fame.”

 

Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. EDT. The one-hour ceremony will culminate with NASCAR celebrities, elected officials and other dignitaries officially opening the interactive venue. The opening ceremony will be followed by a free community celebration outside the NASCAR Hall of Fame 10 a.m.-8 p.m. In addition to Lee Brice and Love And Theft, other activities will include NASCAR celebrities, question-and-answer sessions, strolling entertainment and food vendors.

 

The star of the show that day will be the NASCAR Hall of Fame itself. Tickets to enter the high-tech, interactive attraction are on sale now and can be purchased at www.NASCARHall.com or by calling 877-231-2010. Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Memberships provide unlimited entry for one year and start at $25 for children and $50 for adults. Group discounts, facility rentals and sponsorships also are available by calling 704-654-4400.

 

Schedule of Events

10 a.m.-8 p.m.       Facility Hours                          NASCAR Hall of Fame             Ticket Required

9-10 a.m.             Opening Ceremony                Ceremonial Plaza         Free; No Ticket Required

10 a.m.-8 p.m.       Community Celebration         Ceremonial Plaza         Free; No Ticket Required

2 p.m.                  Lee Brice Concert                    Ceremonial Plaza         Free; No Ticket Required

7 p.m.                  Love And Theft Concert          Ceremonial Plaza         Free; No Ticket Required

 

All Ceremonial Plaza activities that day are free to the public. The Ceremonial Plaza faces Martin Luther King Boulevard between Caldwell and Brevard Streets. Guests are encouraged to use the Charlotte Area Transit System.

 

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About NASCAR Hall of Fame

Opening May 11, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 275-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.NASCARHall.com

NASCAR Hall of Fame 50-Day Countdown Recap – Week 2

NASCAR Hall of Fame 50-Day Countdown Recap – Week 2 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 5, 2010 – 36 days until opening) – The NASCAR Hall of Fame opens May 11, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., and to celebrate the final 50 days until the opening, news is revealed each day at www.NASCARHall.com/50days. The reveals are accompanied by a daily trivia contest on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Twitter page (@NASCARHall).

 

The following is a recap of announcements for March 29 –April 4.

March 29 – 43 days until opening  
Richard Petty’s Medal of Freedom

In 1992, the year he retired from driving, Richard Petty was awarded The Medal of Freedom by President George H.W. Bush in the East Room of the White House. Petty is the only figure from the world of auto racing to be awarded this honor. It is considered the nation’s highest civilian award. Petty considers the award his most-prized possession.

Guests can see inaugural inductee Richard Petty’s Medal of Freedom and his complete inductee exhibit in the Hall of Honor beginning May 23 after the Inaugural Induction Ceremony.

March 30 – 42 days until opening  
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Legends Room

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Legends Room is a multi-purpose space perfect for a business meeting or birthday party. It holds a maximum of 117 people and can be figured in a number of ways from classroom to banquet style. Following with the state-of-the-art nature of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the room is fully equipped for standard audio and visual needs. In addition to offering space for special events, discounted tickets for the NASCAR Hall of Fame are available for groups of 15 or more.

March 31 – 41 days until opening  
NCDL/OSHA announce completion of Safety Partnership with NASCAR Hall of Fame

Turner/BE&K/Davis and the North Carolina Department of Labor/OSHA announced the completion of their Safety Partnership with the NASCAR Hall of Fame construction team. Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry presented partnership completion certificates to Turner Construction Co., BE&K Building Group and Walter B. Davis Co. In addition, Commissioner Berry presented the Labor Department’s gold safety award to the Turner/BE&K/Davis Joint Venture Construction Team and the Turner/BE&K/Davis Management Team.

The agreement put in place a unique working relationship between state government and private industry to eliminate the hazards construction workers face on the job. Turner/BE&K/Davis achieved 1 million working hours without a lost time injury at the NASCAR Hall of Fame site in early August 2009 and received an award for that achievement from the N.C. Department of Labor that month.

April 1 - 40 days until opening  
Evernham Motorsports’ Wind Tunnel Car

A 40% scale model of a real car, the Wind Tunnel Car was developed in 2000 by Evernham Motorsports upon Dodge’s return to NASCAR to test aerodynamic efficiency. Though it is 40% the size of a car, it features all the components of a full-size car. Guests will find the model car in Heritage Speedway where history buffs and NASCAR novices alike can explore authentic artifacts and educational films depicting the story of NASCAR’s exciting six-decade history.

April 2 - 39 days until opening  
Smokey Yunick Wooden Templates

Built by Yunick himself, the wooden templates were used in his shop as the 1969 Ford was being built. The body of the car was checked from time to time during construction to insure that the car’s shape would remain within NASCAR limits.

In Race Week, guests can step into the inspector role and learn about how cars are inspected to ensure that they meet NASCAR standards and regulations. Visitors can test how strong their inspecting eye is to check if car parts are legal or illegal in the most interactive area in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

April 3 – 38 days until opening 
Ned Jarrett’s 1993 CBS Announcer Blazer

Two-time Grand National champion Ned Jarrett was the first driver to make the transition from full-time driver to full-time broadcaster after his driving career drew to a close. Guests can see Ned Jarrett’s 1993 CBS jacket which he was wearing when he called the finish of the 1993 Daytona 500, won by his son Dale Jarrett.

Taking guests behind the scenes for a look at how a NASCAR team and the NASCAR industry prepare for race day each week, Race Week also allows for visitors to become participants. A highly-interactive, hands-on environment with fun opportunities for the entire family, guests can take to the mic and try their hand at being a broadcaster just like Ned Jarrett. 

April 4 – 37 days until opening 
Richie Evans No. 61 Modified 

The familiar orange No. 61 modified which rests on Glory Road was built in 1984 and was the car in which Evans experienced his last victory. A year ago, the bare frame of this car sat in the woods. But the car was lovingly restored by Evans’ former crew chief, Billy Nacewicz, as a tribute to a true NASCAR legend. The No. 61 Modified is one of 18 historic cars showcased on Glory Road. 

The NASCAR Hall of Fame team will continue to reveal one feature of the facility daily at www.NASCARHall.com/50days. Fans also are invited to participate in a 50-day countdown contest on Twitter. A trivia question will be posted each morning on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Twitter page (@NASCARHall). The lucky fan who posts the first correct response to @NASCARHall will win a NASCAR Hall of Fame prize pack.

 

 

About NASCAR Hall of Fame

Opening May 11, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 275-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.NASCARHall.com

 

NASCAR Hall of Fame

NASCAR Hall of Fame Kicks off Final 50 Days Print Page Email Page

 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 22, 2010 – 50 days until opening) – The checkered flag is in sight for the NASCAR Hall of Fame grand opening. To mark the final days before the 150,000-square-foot interactive entertainment attraction opens May 11, fans are invited to participate in a 50-day countdown on Twitter and watch www.NASCARHall.com for 50 days of news about the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Beginning today and running through May 11, a trivia question will be posted each morning on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Twitter page (@NASCARHall). The lucky fan who posts the first correct response to @NASCARHall will win a NASCAR Hall of Fame prize pack. In conjunction with the contest, the NASCAR Hall of Fame team will reveal one feature of the facility daily at www.NASCARHall.com/50days.

“This has been one of the most anticipated openings of an entertainment attraction not just for Charlotte and the Carolinas, but nationwide,” said Winston Kelley, executive director for the facility. “We are in the final stretch, and we want to get as many people involved as possible. We are looking forward to revealing features of the venue each day on our Web site and through social media. This allows everyone nationwide to share in our excitement as we prepare for the grand opening.”

The first item announced in the 50-day countdown was revealed today in a news conference at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip unveiled his championship-winning No. 11 Mountain Dew Buick. Waltrip drove the iconic, green-and-white stock car to back-to-back NASCAR Winston Cup championships in 1981 and 1982, the first two of three championships in his famed career. In 1981 and 1982 alone, Waltrip had 61 starts and earned 24 wins, 29 top-5 finishes and more than $1.6 million in winnings.

The car denotes a significant occurrence in NASCAR history when the sanctioning body mandated a downsizing of cars to coincide with changes taking place in Detroit during that period. The car was built and owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductee Junior Johnson. Waltrip’s two championships in this car marked Johnson’s fourth and fifth titles as an owner. Waltrip and Johnson captured a third championship together in 1985.

The No. 11 Mountain Dew Buick will be one of 18 stock cars featured on Glory Road inside the main entrance of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. A banked ramp simulating various racetracks, Glory Road also highlights 40 current and historic tracks and mimics various degrees of banking at racetracks including the impressive 33-degree incline found at Talladega Superspeedway. The car is on loan from Darrell Watlrip Motorsports to the NASCAR Hall of Fame for two years.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame opens to the public May 11 at 10 a.m. EDT. The opening ceremony for the high-tech, interactive attraction begins at 9 a.m. EDT. The one-hour ceremony will culminate with NASCAR celebrities, elected officials and other dignitaries officially opening the venue. The opening ceremony will be followed by free outdoor activities from 10 a.m. through the late evening. Activities will include NASCAR celebrities, question-and-answer sessions, strolling entertainment, food vendors, musical entertainment and more. The day will conclude with a free concert by country music trio Love And Theft.

Tickets for the NASCAR Hall of Fame are on sale now and can be purchased at www.NASCARHall.com or by calling 877-231-2010. Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12, and free for children younger than 5. Memberships provide unlimited entry for one year and start at $25 for children and $50 for adults. Group discounts, facility rentals and sponsorships also are available by calling 704-654-4400.

About NASCAR Hall of Fame

Opening May 11, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 275-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.NASCARHall.com

HALL OF FAME :SPOTLIGHTS PAST

Junior Johnson’s Moonshine Still to be Highlight of Pre-NASCAR Exhibit

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 28, 2010 – 71 days until opening) – Inaugural Inductee Junior Johnson revealed today a unique contribution to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction set to open May 11, 2010 in Charlotte, N.C.

 

Johnson, almost as famous for running moonshine as his racing career, is providing the NASCAR Hall of Fame a full-size, authentic moonshine still to be displayed in the pre-NASCAR Theater of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The still, which was built by Johnson, is identical to the stills used by Johnson and his family in years past.

 

“The still represents many facets of the sport for the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “It helps show a key aspect of the true roots of stock car racing and NASCAR, and it displays the authenticity of the NASCAR Hall of Fame telling the breadth and depth of NASCAR’s past and present. We look forward to showing fans and non-fans all aspects of the sport, from its fascinating beginnings to the sophisticated technology used by teams today. NASCAR has thousands of vibrant stories to share, and this story is at the heart of the sport’s folklore.” 

 

Telling these stories has been a massive undertaking for the NASCAR Hall of Fame exhibit team. Historian Buz McKim is charged with uncovering hidden treasures of the sport for display in the facility, which houses more than 40,000 square feet of exhibits and has more than 50 interactive displays. Even as the exhibits are being prepared for display, more great stories are being created. 

 

“As we prepare the artifacts for display, some present unexpected challenges,” said McKim. “That was the case last week with the still. I called Junior to ask how to connect a couple of the parts of the still, and he just said he would drive down and help out. Sure enough, two hours later, Junior arrives with wrenches in hand and starts installing the still himself and offering direction to our exhibit fabrication team. Those are some of the cool moments of this job that really make you appreciate the people of this sport. Junior is a class act.”

 

Aside from cars and a transporter, the moonshine still is one of the largest historic items in the building. It is constructed of wood, metal and copper and features a cooker, two boilers, a dry barrel, a flake stand, condenser and strainer. The artifact will be on display in the Pre-NASCAR Theater, which tells the story of what led to the formation of NASCAR. It also highlights the history of the automobile prior to the 1948 inception of NASCAR. The Theater is on the fourth floor of the facility in Heritage Speedway, the artifact-rich area of the venue that focuses on the history of the sport.

 

A North Carolina native, Johnson made his first moonshine run at the age of 14. After years in the family business, he was convicted in 1956 on a charge of producing illegal liquor. He served 11 months in federal prison and years later was pardoned by President Ronald Reagan. It was the decades of running moonshine that led to Johnson’s career as a race-car driver, along with many other famous names in the sport.

 

Despite the colorful upbringing, it was Johnson’s illustrious racing career that earned him a place in history as one of NASCAR’s five Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees. He won the second Daytona 500 in 1960 and was credited for the discovery of drafting on superspeedways. He won 50 races at NASCAR’s premier level before becoming a car owner. His success continued as an owner where his drivers won 132 races and six championships. Johnson also was responsible for connecting R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company executives with Bill France Jr., which led to the 33-year partnership of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, predecessor to today’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.    

 

Beginning May 11, fans can see Johnson’s moonshine still and learn more about NASCAR by visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Tickets are on sale now at www.nascarhall.com or by calling 877-231-2010. Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12, and free for children younger than 5. Memberships provide unlimited entry for one year and start at $25 for children and $50 for adults annually. Group discounts, facility rentals and sponsorships also are available by calling 704-654-4400.

 

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Opening May 11, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 275-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.nascarhall.com

NASCAR Hall of Fame

The Charlotte, N.C.-based NASCAR Automotive Group has committed to a multiyear sponsorship agreement with the NASCAR Hall of Fame on behalf of its exclusive NASCAR Performance automotive partners. A formal announcement of the sponsorship is expected Monday.

The end product of the sponsorship will be an interactive, hands-on exhibit in the Race Week section of the Hall. The exhibit, dubbed the NASCAR Performance Race Shop, will integrate the large and varied group of automotive brands into the display.

“There will be a race shop at the Hall that will give people that are touring the Hall a real-life visual of what it’s like when a car comes back to the race shop and what takes place within that race shop,” NASCAR Automotive Group managing director Odis Lloyd told Sporting News.

“All of our partners will have visibility in that race shop. It’s the most relevant program we have for the sport. They’re all automotive sponsors that are on cars, so it will give people a realistic view of what it’s like and how these partner products interact with an active race shop on a daily basis.”

NASCAR Performance partners are important suppliers to and supporters of NASCAR Racing. They include 3M; Autolite; BWD/Standard; Canadian Tire; Comp Cams; Edelbrock; Exide; Goodyear Gatorback; Goodyear Gemini; K&N Filters; Lincoln Electric; Mahle; Mechanix Wear; Midtronics; Mobil 1; Moog; New Pig Wipes; NASCAR Technical Institute; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Raybestos; Safelite Auto Glass; Safety-Kleen; Schumacher; TRI; Velocity, Wheel Pros; Whelen Engineering; and WIX.

“One of the things we try to do is acquire assets that bring value to those partners, and this is just one more of those,” Lloyd said. “It’s no different than it’s always been, but the way sponsors view it, obviously we’ve got to be more creative. We’ve got to come up with more things to make sure they’re feeling good about their spend in our sport.

“It’s not something new, but when we see an asset that we think is going to add some value, we’re going to take a strong look at that to ensure that it benefits those partners.”

The NASCAR Hall of Fame, a 150,000-square-foot facility in Charlotte, will open May 11.