Cotton Owens, 88, passes shortly after selection to NASCAR HOF Class of 2013

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Karen Pistone

NHOF Inductee Cotton Owens poses next to "his car" which was driven by David Pearson, circa 1966. Photo courtesy of Getty.

There are successful drivers and there are successful owners. But, rarely are there both.

Cotton Owens, a recent inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the Class of 2013, as well as recently celebrating his 88th birthday on May 21, passed away early Thursday morning.

Owens had been diagnosed with lung cancer seven years ago. Owens was born in Union, SC but lived most of his life in nearby Spartanburg, S.C., where he based his racing operation.

Owens was more than successful behind the wheel, while driving in the Cup series from 1950 to 1964, leaving high-level driving at the age of 40 but winning nine times including the 1957 Daytona Beach road course which marked Pontiac’s first NASCAR victory. He nearly won the 1959 championship, finishing second to NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty.

But as an owner, Owens stood out as one of the greats of NASCAR’s early eras. His eye for talent was unmatched. He hired Johnson in 1962, the same season in which he began a future championship relationship with another NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson.

Johnson spent only four races with Owens but with Pearson, well, that was another story. Twenty-seven of Pearson’s 105 NASCAR premier series victories were recorded in a Cotton Owens car. The pair teamed to win the 1966 championship after Pearson, driving an Owens Dodge, finished third in points in 1964.

Owens will be inducted posthumously as part of the hall’s fourth class on February 8, 2013.

Owen’s Stats:
Competed: 1950-64 (Driver); 1950-73 (Owner)
Starts: 160 (Driver); 405 (Owner)
Wins: 9 (Driver); 38 (Owner)
Poles: 10 (Driver); 33 (Owner)

STATEMENT FROM THE OWENS FAMILY:

“The family would like to express gratitude for the thoughts and prayers of precious friends and fans.

“While Cotton was a racing legend with an incredible racing “family,” we mourn the irreplaceable great granddad, granddad, father, uncle, brother-in-law and friend we have all lost. The family respectfully requests privacy at this difficult time.”

STATEMENT FROM BRIAN FRANCE, NASCAR CHAIRMAN AND CEO:

“NASCAR has lost one of its true pioneers, with the passing of Cotton Owens. On behalf of the France Family and everyone at NASCAR, I offer heartfelt condolences to Cotton’s family and friends.

“This is a sad day for the NASCAR industry, but we are all consoled by the fact that Cotton was voted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame before his death. Today we have lost a portion of our past. But people like Cotton Owens are the reason our sport thrives today — and can look forward to a promising future.”

Statement from Winston Kelley, executive director, NASCAR Hall of Fame

“We lost one of NASCAR’s greats today. Our hearts go out to Cotton’s family, and we hope they find strength in the memories of his remarkable life and career. That career was topped off just a few weeks ago with his selection for the Class of 2013. In speaking to his grandson, Brandon Davis, he reiterated how much being an Inductee meant to Cotton and how much it lifted his spirit.

“I vividly remember when I first started following NASCAR in the early to mid-’60s watching his white and red No. 6 Dodge run up front with David Pearson and later Buddy Baker. I was just a child, but I still remember his car being a contender all the time. It was one of the ones to beat. In more recent years I remember how supportive he was of our initiatives. NASCAR recognized his career by inviting him to be an original member of our Voting Panel. You could always count on Cotton to be here for Voting Day and other hall events. He will be missed.”

Statement from Buz McKim, historian NASCAR Hall of Fame:

“Cotton Owens was one of the first heroes of NASCAR. He was exciting to watch, as he thrilled early-day fans with his patented broadsliding on dirt tracks. Not only a gifted driver, he was a fine mechanic and was a championship car owner. He also mentored many drivers, among them David Pearson. Another chapter of history closes today as the racing world has lost a great friend and pioneer, Everett “Cotton” Owens.”

Compiled info from NASCARMedia, NASCAR.com, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Google

Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence joins Hall of Fame

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Karen Pistone

Recipients of the inaugural Squier-Hall Award in their honor, legendary broadcasters Ken Squier (R) and Barney Hall (L) pose during Voting Day at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C. Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR

NASCAR announced the creation of a new award to honor the contributions of media to the success of the sport. This award, which will become part of the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame ceremonies beginning in February 2013, will bear the names of the first two award winners, legendary broadcasters Ken Squier and Barney Hall, and be called the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence.

A special exhibit will be created as part of the existing media section within the NASCAR Hall of Fame to recognize the careers of Squier and Hall, as well as honorees in the years to come.

Squier, one of NASCAR’s original broadcasters, carved a massive footprint during NASCAR’s formative broadcast years. Beginning with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) in 1970, Squier’s golden voice took NASCAR to a national audience thirsting for live coverage. He is perhaps best-known for his work during the 1979 Daytona 500, a milestone moment for the entire sport, as Squier’s voice on CBS welcomed millions to the first live flag-to-flag coverage of “The Great American Race” – a moniker he coined.

Following that signature moment, including his call of the post-race fight between Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison, Squier proceeded to call races for CBS and TBS until 1997 before shifting to the studio as host for NASCAR broadcasts until 2000. Squier continues to enlighten NASCAR fans to this day, mostly through special appearances on SPEED.

Hall began his career in the 1950s working at local radio stations in North Carolina and served as Bristol Motor Speedway’s first public address announcer when the track opened. He called his first Daytona 500 in 1960, and has missed only three broadcasts in the 54-year history of The Great American Race. He joined MRN as an original announcer at the network’s inception in 1970, first as a turn announcer and then moving to the booth in the late 70s where he has been a fixture ever since at race tracks from coast to coast. The Elkin, North Carolina, native who is widely known for his calm voice and unmatched storytelling, was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame in 2007.

Hall has called a number of the sport’s milestone moments, including the landmark 1979 Daytona 500, Richard Petty’s 200th-career victory in 1984 and Dale Earnhardt’s 1998 victory in the Daytona 500. Still active, Hall led the MRN broadcast of last week’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Each year, five nominees will be selected by a panel made up of NASCAR executives, NASCAR Hall of Fame staff, and the president of the NMPA, among others. From there, a voting panel will select an annual winner of the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence, beginning with the third honoree (Squier and Hall are the first two) in 2013. It is anticipated the annual award winner will be announced in June, approximately one month after the Hall of Fame inductees are announced.

Squier-Hall Award winners will remain eligible for NASCAR Hall of Fame induction. Likewise, current and future inductees who made significant contributions as a member of the media will be eligible to win the Squire-Hall Award.

The 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held Feb. 8, 2013.

NASCAR PR

NASCAR Hall of Fame announces newest inductees into 2013 class

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Karen Pistone

The NASCAR Hall of Fame held the Fan Vote Day today with a history making tie. The panel went back in a re-voted on the tie, which was eventually broken.

The announcement of the five Inductees into the 2013 Class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame has happened and the five Inductees into the 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame are as follows:

1. Herb Thomas, first two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup series champion, 1951, ’53.
2. Leonard Wood, former crew chief for Wood Brothers, revolutionized pit stops
3. Rusty Wallace, 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup series champion
4. Cotton Owens, driver-owner, won 1966 owner championship with David Pearson
5. Buck Baker, first driver to win consecutive Sprint Cup series titles (1956-57).

The tie apparently was between Buck Baker and Fireball Roberts, with Buck Baker prevailing.

Congratulations to the newest inductees into the Class of 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame!!!

The nominees were:

Red Byron, first Sprint Cup series champion, in 1949.
Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series.
Jerry Cook, six-time NASCAR Modified champion.
H. Clay Earles, founder of Martinsville Speedway.
Tim Flock, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup series champion.
Ray Fox, legendary engine builder and owner of cars driven by Buck Baker, Junior Johnson and others.
Anne Bledsoe France, helped build the sport with husband Bill France Sr.
Rick Hendrick, 13-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series.
Jack Ingram, two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and three-time Late Model Sportsman champion.
Bobby Isaac, 1970 NASCAR Sprint Cup series champion.
Fred Lorenzen, 26 wins and winner of the Daytona 500 and World 600.
Raymond Parks, NASCAR’s first champion car owner.
Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR Sprint Cup series champion and popular television commentator.
Les Richter, former NASCAR executive; former president of Riverside International Raceway.
Fireball Roberts, 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup series wins, including the 1962 Daytona 500.
T. Wayne Robertson, helped raise NASCAR popularity as R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company executive.
Wendell Scott, NASCAR trailblazer was the first African-American NASCAR Sprint Cup series race winner, and first to be nominated for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Ralph Seagraves, formed groundbreaking Winston-NASCAR partnership as executive with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
Curtis Turner, early personality, called the “Babe Ruth of stock car racing.”
Joe Weatherly, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup series champion.

The new class will be inducted on February 8, 2013.

2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee: DARRELL WALTRIP

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Karen Pistone

Birthday: 2/5/47
Hometown: Franklin, Tenn.
Competed: 1972-2000
Starts: 809
Wins: 84
Poles: 59

2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee, Darrell Waltrip. Photo credit: Getty Archive/NASCARMedia

A three-time NASCAR premier series champion (1981-82, ’85), Waltrip won all three with legendary driver/owner Junior Johnson. Waltrip is tied with Bobby Allison for fourth all-time in series victories with 84. His 59 poles rank fifth all-time in NASCAR Sprint Cup history.

His first race car was two-tone brown, Terminal Transport, No. 95. Waltrip limped into the garage area during his first race with a blown engine and finished 38th.

Waltrip went through crew chiefs and had battles with crew members and car owners, all while locking in 26 wins with team owner Bill Gardner, and the No. 88 Gatorade – sponsored cars owned by DiGard Racing.

During Waltrip’s early years, he picked up the nickname “Jaws,” from no other than – and how ironic for it to be – NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee, Cale Yarborough.

Darrell Waltrip's No. 11 Chevrolet, nicknamed "Bertha" sits in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. Photo credit: Sandi Goodall / Racingal.com

Waltrip’s key car during that period was a Chevrolet Monte Carlo nicknamed “Bertha,” which now sits in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC.

Waltrip’s first series title came in 1981, when he finished with 12 wins and 21 top fives in 31 races. He won the title by 53 points over Bobby Allison. In his second championship season, 1982, he finished with 12 wins and 20 top 10s in 30 races, sweeping both races at four tracks (Nashville, Bristol, Talladega and North Wilkesboro). In his third championship season, 1985, Waltrip finished with three wins and 21 top 10s in 28 races.

In 1979, Waltrip lost the Championship to Richard Petty by 11 points.

In 1989, driving for team owner Rick Hendrick, he finally won the Daytona 500. He competed from 1972-2000, unfortunately, the final years of his career saw steady decline in his performance.

Waltrip didn’t win a race for the final eight seasons of his career, but his 84 victories put him in a tie with Allison for fourth on the all-time win list.

Watch video about Darrell Waltrip:

Video supplied by NASCARMedia

He signed on with Fox Sports as a NASCAR race commentator and remains one of the key players in Fox and SPEED telecasts.

So Darrell will be saying “Boogity, Boogity, Boogity” all the way into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this Friday night.

Sources: SPEED.com, NASCARMedia

2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee: RICHIE EVANS

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Karen Pistone

STATS:
Born: July 23, 1941
Hometown: Rome, NY

NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee, Richie Evans. (Credit ISC Archives/Getty Images)
Series: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Competed: 1973-85
Starts: 1,300 (estimated)
Wins: 475 (estimated)

2012 NASCAR Hall of Famer Inductee, Richie Evans. (Credit ISC Archives/Getty Images)

Named one of the “The Greatest 50 NASCAR Drivers of All Time” in 1998, Evans remains the undisputed king of NASCAR Modified racing. Evans captured nine NASCAR Modified titles in a 13-year span, including eight in a row from 1978-85. Evans’ racing career began at the age of 16 when he became a mechanic at a gas station. His first racing experience was that of a drag racer, but he soon switched to running stock cars starting in the Utica-Rome Speedway Hobby Division in 1964.

Nicknamed “The Rapid Roman,” his career accomplishments included multiple track championships across the Northeast and hundreds of victories including a 37-win season during a stretch of 60 Modified races in 1979. Evans took over four hundred feature race wins at racetracks from Quebec to Florida. In 1986, Evans was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association’s Hall of Fame at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama.

Watch video on Richie Evans:

Richie Evans NASCAR Whelen Modified sits in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. Photo credit: Sandi Goodall/Racingal.com

In the first year of the current NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour format in 1985, Evans won 12 races, including wins in four of five events at Thompson, Conn.

At the age of 44, Evans was killed in a practice accident at Martinsville on October 24, 1985 while preparing for the final race of the season, the Winn-Dixie 500 tripleheader (three races in one day — a 200-lap Modified race, a 200-lap Busch Series race, and a 100-lap Late Model race) for the NASCAR Modified Tour. Though not recognized at the time, many racing safety experts have concluded that Evans’ death resulted from the same type of “head-whip” injury and resultant Basilar skull fracture, which also claimed the life of Dale Earnhardt in 2001. Before his fatal crash, Evans had clinched NASCAR’s inaugural Winston Modified Tour (now known as Whelen Modified Tour) championship.

Evans was the father of six children: Jodi Lynn (Evans) Meola, Janelle Ralaine (Evans) Walda, Jill Ann Evans, Jacqueline Marie (Evans) Williams, Richard Edwin Evans (who has raced under the moniker “Richie Evans Jr.”) and Tara Denise Evans.

Evans’ signature orange Modified paint scheme (GMC truck color Omaha Orange; black numbers with white shading) was replicated in 2003 on a Busch Series car driven by Martin Truex, Jr. in his first year on the series driving for Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s Chance 2 Motorsports. Steve Park also ran a Richie Evans tribute paint scheme for Tommy Baldwin Racing’s #36 entry at the 2010 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.

Elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame on June 14th, 2011 with Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Inman and Glen Wood. The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on Jan. 20, 2012 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame located in Charlotte, NC.

Sources: Wikipedia, Google, NASCARMedia

NASCAR driver autograph session, appearances for Charlotte

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Karen Pistone

Friday, October 14

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Aric Almirola, Josh Wise, Kelley Earnhardt, L.W Miller & Josh Berry
1:00 – 2:00pm
JR Motorsports autograph session
JRM shop
349 Cayuga Drive
Mooresville, NC.
Prior to Earnhardt Jr.’s autograph session, JRM drivers Aric Almirola and Josh Wise, along with Kelley Earnhardt, L.W. Miller (Southern Modified driver) and Josh Berry (JRM late model driver) are scheduled to sign autographs for the first 200 fans from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30pm/et.

Nationwide Series Drivers including Justin Allgaier, Jeremy Clements, Timothy Hill, Sam Hornish Jr., Blake Koch, Charles Lewandowski, Robert Richardson, Casey Roderick, Morgan Shepard & Ryan Truex
1:00pm
Signing autographs at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Drivers will be located on pit road to the right of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage. Fans with a Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage ticket can get a free wristband at the Turn 4 tunnel for the autograph session, which is limited to the first 200 fans.

Rusty Wallace, Greg Biffle & Larry McReynolds

Scheduled to appear for a free question-and-answer session at the NASCAR Hall of Fame display located at the main entrance to Charlotte Motor Speedway. The complete schedule will be posted daily at the display area, and is subject ot change. Purchase a NASCAR Hall of Fame general admission ticket online or at the booth and receive free transportation to and from the venue, subject to availability. Roundtrip shuttles will depart from the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Friday at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30am; Saturday at 8:30am and Sunday at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30am. Guests should look for the NASCAR Hall of Fame signs to locate the shuttle. For more information, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame website.

Bobby Allison, Denny Hamlin, Brian Vickers, Cale Yarborough, Dale Inman, Darrell Waltrip, Glen Wood and Ned Jarrett

Saturday, October 15
NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees Dale Inman, Darrell Waltrip, Glen Wood & Cale Yarborough
3:30 – 4:00pm
Scheduled to join personalities from the Performance Racing Network for free fan Q&A session at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Q&A session will take place on the SPEED stage, located at the speedway’s main entrance prior to the Bank of America 500.

David Reutimann
3:40pm
Signing autographs at the Michael Waltrip Racing merchandise hauler located in the fan midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Darrell Waltrip
NASCAR Hall of Fame
400 East Martin Luther King Blvd
Charlotte, NC.
Signing autographs for Hall of Fame Members and will appear for a question-and-answer session for all visitors in the Great Hall at the NASCAR Hall of Fame located in Downtown Charlotte. The autograph session is set to start at 9:30am, with the Q&A session at 10:30am/et. Tickets can be purchased by calling 877-231-2010 or at NASCARHall.com. Admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Memberships are available starting at $25 for children and $50 for adults.

Sunday, October 16
Dale Inman, Glen Wood & Cale Yarborough
NASCAR Hall of Fame
400 East Martin Luther King Blvd
Charlotte, NC.
Scheduled to sign autographs for Hall of Fame Members and will appear for a question-and-answer session for all visitors in the Great Hall at the NASCAR Hall of Fame located in Downtown Charlotte. The Q&A session is scheduled to run from 11:15 – 11:45am; and the autograph session 12:00 – 1:00pm/et. Tickets can be purchased by calling 877-231-2010 or at NASCARHall.com. Admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Memberships are available starting at $25 for children and $50 for adults.

Visiting Charlotte? NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Motor Speedway & Race Shop Tours scheduled this week

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Karen Pistone

Tuesday Chase Tours - NASCAR Hall of Fame /Charlotte Motor Speedway

30-minute Question & Answer Session

The tour includes admission to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, food voucher for use at the Pit Stop Café inside the Hall and roundtrip transportation from Charlotte Motor Speedway. Seating for these special tours is extremely limited so make your plans now by purchasing online or calling 800-455-3267.

Adults ages 13 and older – $45
Seniors 55 and older and Children 12 and under – $35.00

Tours will depart from the Speedway at 12:30PM. Please meet at the Tour Desk located on the 2nd Floor of Smith Tower, between Gates 5A and 5B, at least 15 minutes early for check-in.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Drivers appearing for the Q & A

Tuesday, October 11 – Jimmie Johnson
Tuesday, October 18 – Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch
Tuesday, October 25 – Tony Stewart
Tuesday November 1 – Carl Edwards
Tuesday, November 8 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Keselowski
Tuesday, November 15 – Kevin Harvick

Speedway Trackside Tour

Get on track with this exciting Speedway Tour that will bring you close to all the pre-race action in an open-air tram! Learn fun facts, Speedway history and trivia, and see just how big the World’s Largest HDTV really is. Tours will depart from in front of Speedway Gate 4. Seats are limited so hurry and reserve today!

Dates, times and prices are as follows:

Tuesday, October 11 – 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM ($15 – Ages 13 and over / $10 Seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under)

Wednesday, October 12 – 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM ($15 – Ages 13 and over / $10 Seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under)

Friday, October 14, Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage Race Day – 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM ($25 – Ages 13 and over / $20 Seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under)

Saturday, October 15, Bank of America 500 Race Day – *Revised Schedule-12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM ($25 – Ages 13 and over / $20 Seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under)

For more information, please contact the Ticket Office at 800-455-FANS (3267).
Purchase Speedway Trackside Tour By Phone: 1-800-455-FANS(3267)

NASCAR Hall of Fame Tour

This October, Charlotte Motor Speedway is once again offering you the opportunity to experience NASCAR excitement like never before. Enhance your visit to ”The Greatest Place to See the Race” with a tour through NASCAR history at the spectacular NASCAR Hall of Fame! No worries about parking, traffic or ticket lines. You will be transported in style round-trip – just sit back and relax. Admission tickets, all taxes and gratuities are included.

$39 per person for ages 10 and older
$33 for children 3-9

NEW FOR THIS OCTOBER – Select tours will visit the Sam Bass Gallery, where you will see displays of original paintings and limited edition prints that document special moments in the sports history, all done by NASCAR’s first officially licensed artist.

And you can enhance your visit by dining in The Speedway Club. Once you have confirmed your tour, contact the Tour Desk at 704-455-3223 and they will be happy to assist you!

Tour times:
Tues. Oct. 11, 1:30 p.m. INCLUDES Sam Bass Gallery
Thu. Oct. 13, 9:30 a.m. INCLUDES Sam Bass Gallery
Sun. Oct. 16, 1:00 p.m.

Important Information:
DEPARTURE POINT
Front of zMAX Dragway Main Tower Entrance
TIME
Please arrive 15 minutes early for tour check-in
WEATHER
Tours operate Rain or Shine, please plan accordingly
DRESS CODE
Comfortable clothing for outdoors and air conditioned bus; comfortable shoes for walking, sunscreen, sunglasses
EXTRAS
Umbrellas, baby seats, and small bags can be accommodated on the bus
TIPPING POLICY
No tipping please, your tour is all inclusive!
Purchase NASCAR Hall of Fame Tour By Phone: 1-800-455-FANS(3267)

Race Shop Tours

Visit the Hendrick Motorsports museum and learn about the history behind this incredibly successful organization. Watch a breathtaking movie in the Roush Fenway Racing amphitheater. Get an all-access view behind the scenes at RaceWorld USA or tour the “Garage Mahal” at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. Sit back and relax as you travel from shop to shop with no worries about traffic or parking.

Enhance your visit by dining in The Speedway Club. Once you have confirmed your tour, contact the Tour Desk at 704-455-3223 and they will be happy to assist you!

Wed. October 12, 9:30 a.m.

Joe Gibbs Racing
Waltrip Racing-RaceWorld USA
Penske Racing
NEW – Sam Bass Gallery

$49* per person for ages 10 and older and $38* for children 3-9
* includes admission to RaceWorld USA

Thu. Oct. 13, 1:30 p.m.

JR Motorsports
Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Dale Earnhardt Statue in Downtown Kannapolis
Curb Museum

$39 per person for ages 10 and older and $33 for children 3-9

Fri. Oct. 14, 9:30 a.m.

Hendrick Motorsports
Roush Fenway Racing
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
NEW – Sam Bass Gallery

$39 per person for ages 10 and older and $33 for children 3-9

Tickets now available for NASCAR Acceleration Weekend Jan. 20-22

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Karen Pistone

Tickets went on sale today for NASCAR Acceleration Weekend 2012, a combination of events and activities scheduled for Jan. 20-22 in Charlotte, N.C. that gives race fans an unprecedented, festival-like experience featuring legends of the sport and stars of today and tomorrow. Ticket prices range from $10 for individual event admission to $299 for a VIP weekend package.

Starting off the inaugural NASCAR Acceleration Weekend on Friday, Jan. 20 is the induction of the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012 – Richie Evans, Dale Inman, Darrell Waltrip, Glen Wood, and Cale Yarborough – at a dinner and induction ceremony located in the Charlotte Convention Center, which adjoins the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This revered group, comprised of three drivers, a crew chief and a team owner, marks the third class to be inducted into the Hall.

Following the Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 21 is the NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint, a new addition to the annual calendar reminiscent of popular season preview events of the past. The fan-focused, all-day event located inside the Charlotte Convention Center will feature driver and show car appearances, simulators, games, prizes, and a host of other fan-friendly and interactive activities. The highlight of the day for many fans will be autograph and on-stage Q&A sessions with drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, plus all four living NASCAR Hall of Fame members inducted the previous night.

The weekend’s activities continue into Sunday, Jan. 22 when the Hall of Fame exhibits of the five-member Class of 2012 will be unveiled inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Individual ticket and ticket packages are now available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000; and include the following options:

NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint – Jan. 21

$10 advance ticket ($15 admission at the gate)

$20 advance ticket (includes same-weekend admission to NASCAR Hall of Fame)

Children five years of age and younger admitted free

2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – Jan. 20

$40 ticket for general seating (includes same-weekend admission to NASCAR Hall of Fame)

$75 ticket for premium seating (includes same-weekend admission to NASCAR Hall of Fame)

NASCAR Acceleration Weekend 2012 – Jan. 20-22

$299 VIP ticket package; includes the following:

· One Hall of Fame Induction Dinner seat, including Jacket Presentation

· One admission to Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

· One admission to the NASCAR Preview 2012, Presented by Sprint

· One admission to the First Look at 2012 Class exhibits

· One Crew Chief membership to NASCAR Hall of Fame

For more information, visit www.nascaracceleration2012.com.

Source: NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications PR

Kyle Busch to be first driver for an every Tuesday Q & A at NASCAR Hall of Fame during Chase

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Karen Pistone

To celebrate the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, championship-contending drivers will visit with fans at the NASCAR Hall of Fame every Tuesday afternoon Sept. 13 – Nov. 15.

A different NASCAR Sprint Cup Series superstar will participate each week in an afternoon. NASCAR Hall of Fame guests are invited for a 30-minute question-and-answer session at the beginning of each visit. In addition, two lucky fans will win the opportunity to see behind-the-scenes as the driver participates in national radio and television interviews.

The 10-week schedule begins Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Great Hall of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte, N.C. with Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&Ms Toyota.

The question-and-answer session is open to all NASCAR Hall of Fame Members and general admission ticket holders.

NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012 announced

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Karen Pistone

Darrell Waltrip (right) and Dale Inman (left) celebrate after hearing their names called for induction during Voting Day at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on June 14 in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Getty Images

Members of the 55-member NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met yesterday in a closed session in Charlotte, N.C., to vote on the induction class of 2012. The announcement was made by NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s “Great Hall.”

As was the case for the first two classes of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the results of this year’s voting were competitive. Yarborough led with 85 percent of the vote, followed by Waltrip (82%), Inman (78%), Evans (50%) and Wood (44%).

Also receiving votes were Jerry Cook, Cotton Owens, Raymond Parks and Herb Thomas.

The fans’ five picks, in alphabetical order, were Richard Childress, Benny Parsons, Fireball Roberts, Waltrip and Yarborough.

The five inductees came from a group of 25 nominees for induction into the 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame class that included:

Buck Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Jerry Cook, H. Clay Earles, Richie Evans, Tim Flock, Rick Hendrick, Jack Ingram, Bobby Isaac, Dale Inman, Fred Lorenzen, Cotton Owens, Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, Les Richter, Fireball Roberts, T. Wayne Robertson, Herb Thomas, Curtis Turner, Darrell Waltrip, Joe Weatherly, Glen Wood, Leonard Wood and Cale Yarborough

Class of 2012 Inductees:

Cale Yarborough

William Caleb Yarborough was the first driver to win three consecutive NASCAR premier series championships, from 1976-78. During his three-year dominance, Yarborough won 28 races – nine in 1976, nine in ’77 and 10 in ’78. His final championship points margin in those three years was never fewer than 195 points and was as much as 474 in 1978. Yarborough totaled 83 victories in his 31-year career, which ranks sixth all-time. His 69 poles rank fourth all-time. He also won the Daytona 500 four times (1968, ’77, ’83-84), a mark that ranks second only to Richard Petty’s seven. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

Darrell Waltrip

A three-time NASCAR premier series champion (1981-82, ’85), Waltrip won all three with legendary driver/owner Junior Johnson. Waltrip is tied with Bobby Allison and Jeff Gordon for third all-time in series victories with 84. His 59 poles rank fifth all-time in NASCAR premier series history. He competed from 1972-2000, which included a 1989 Daytona 500 victory in a Rick Hendrick-owned Chevrolet. He currently is a commentator on FOX’s NASCAR broadcasts. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

Dale Inman

Dale Inman, NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty’s crew chief at Petty Enterprises for nearly three decades, set records for most wins (193) and championships (eight) by a crew chief. Inman won seven of those championships with Petty (1964, ’67, ’71, ’72, ’74, ’75 and ’79), and a final one in 1984 with Terry Labonte.

Richie Evans

The recognized “king” of Modified racing, Evans captured nine NASCAR Modified titles in a 13-year span, including eight in a row from 1978-85. In the first year of the current NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour format in 1985, Evans won 12 races, including winning four of five events at Thompson, Conn. Evans ranked No. 1 in the 2003 voting of the NASCAR All-Time Modified Top 10 Drivers, and he was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

Glen Wood

Glen Wood laid the foundation for the famed Wood Brothers racing team as a driver in NASCAR’s premier series. Competing on a semi-regular basis, mostly at tracks close to his southern Virginia home, Wood won four times – all at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. Wood, of course, is best known for his collaboration with brothers Leonard and Delano in Wood Brothers Racing. The Stuart, Va.-based team, which dates to 1950 and remains active, has amassed 98 victories.

Source: NASCAR Media

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