NASCAR Hall of Fame To Offer Local Rate: The NASCAR Hall of Fame is introducing a special Local Rate throughout the months of February and March. Available for a limited-time only, the special rate offers North and South Carolina residents visiting the interactive, entertainment attraction a discounted admission price of $15.95 for adults, $14.95 for seniors and $9.95 for children. Guests with a valid photo ID and proof of residency, such as a North Carolina or South Carolina driver's license, can receive the special price when purchasing at the NASCAR Hall of Fame box office during regular operating hours. Tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame can be purchased by calling 877-231-2010 or at www.NASCARHall.com.(NASCAR Hall of Fame)(2-2-2012)

NASCAR welcomes 2012 Hall of Fame members: During an emotional induction ceremony Friday night at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, a pair of three-time champion drivers, racing's quintessential crew chief, a founding father of the sport and the hands-down best modified driver who ever lived all took their rightful places among NASCAR's elite. The third class of five NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees evidences no fall-off in quality from the two classes that preceded it in 2010 and 2011. In fact, some would argue that the 2012 inductees all boast credentials worthy of consideration for an earlier welcome to the Hall.
Darrell Waltrip, for instance, won three Sprint Cup titles and is tied for fourth on the career win list with 84 victories.
Cale Yarborough, the only driver to win three straight Cup titles before Jimmie Johnson equaled and then eclipsed the feat in the first decade of the 21st century, is sixth in all-time wins with 83.
As far as championships are concerned, Dale Inman is the most prolific winner among NASCAR crew chiefs, having accumulated seven Cup titles during his pioneering run at Petty Enterprises and a series-record eighth with driver Terry Labonte and owner Billy Hagan in 1984.
Glen Wood, who with brother Leonard Wood founded the most enduring team in the sport's history, was an innovator who nurtured the careers of a litany of elite drivers, most notable among them Hall of Famers Yarborough and David Pearson.
Richie Evans, a nine-time modified champion, simply was without peer. The "Rapid Roman" clinched his first NASCAR National Modified title in 1973. On Oct. 24, 1985, a week after securing his ninth modified championship, Evans was killed in a crash during practice at Martinsville Speedway. He was 44.(NASCAR Wire Service)(1-21-2012)

NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction / Acceleration Weekend: Charlotte becomes the epicenter of NASCAR Acceleration Weekend on Jan. 20-21. The NASCAR Hall of Fame inducts its third class comprised of the late Richie Evans, Dale Inman, Glen Wood, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough on Jan. 20 at the Crown Ballroom in the Charlotte Convention Center. Activities begin at 7:30 p.m.

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 a sweep of all four 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.

MRN, SiriusXM to provide live coverage of Hall of Fame induction: Motor Racing Network is poised to kick off its 43rd year of broadcasting with live coverage of Friday's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Charlotte, N.C. The Class of 2012 will be formally enshrined as the sport honors its third group of inductees: Richie Evans, Dale Inman, Darrell Waltrip, Glenn Wood and Cale Yarborough. MRN Radio's live coverage will be anchored by Barney Hall and Joe Moore, and produced by Amada Trautman. Air time is 7:30 p.m. (EST).(MRN)
AND: SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 will also have live coverage of the induction ceremony. SPEED will show the ceremony on Sunday, January 22 at 6:00pm/et.(1-20-2012)

Hall of Famers to meet with fans Saturday: NASCAR Hall of Famers and others who have a deep history in the sport will interact with fans following the NASCAR Preview 2012 on Saturday. The event will take place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame and is open to all fans who have a ticket to the hall of fame that day. Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Hammond, Ned Jarrett and former car owner Bondy Long will be at various locations where their cars or exhibits are from 5-6 p.m. ET Saturday. Junior Johnson, Glen Wood, Leonard Wood, Dale Inman, Bud Moore and journalist Tom Higgins will be in the hall from 6:15-7:15 p.m. to talk with fans. Earlier in the day, the hall of fame will have guided tours that feature meet-and-greets with hall of famers. The tours are limited to 30 people with Junior Johnson meeting a group at 10 a.m., followed by Ned Jarrett at 11 a.m., Richard Petty (noon), Bud Moore (2 p.m.), Bobby Allison (3 p.m.) and Darrell Waltrip (4 p.m.). Tickets are $20 and include the NASCAR Preview, where more than 50 NASCAR drivers will appear throughout the day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for autographs and question-and-answer sessions inside the Charlotte Convention Center, which is adjacent to the hall of fame.(Scene Daily)(1-20-2012)

UnDeck the Hall Returns to the NASCAR Hall of Fame: Visitors can continue to celebrate the holidays while helping undecorate the NASCAR Hall of Fame beginning Monday, Dec. 26 at the facility’s second annual UnDeck the Hall. Choosing from a display of festive Christmas trees in the Great Hall, each guest can take home one NASCAR-themed item until all are gone. The HALL-iday trees are decorated with NASCAR-themed items including autographed souvenirs and memorabilia, NASCAR-themed ornaments, die cast cars, secret surprises and more. UnDeck the Hall begins Monday, Dec. 26 and continues through the week while supplies last. For tickets, updates and details about the NASCAR Hall of Fame, go to NASCARHall.com.(NASCAR HOF)(12-25-2011)

SPEED to air biography series on 2012 Hall Of Fame Inductees: A biography series of all five 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees will air on SPEED beginning this Friday, Dec. 9 with back-to-back shows featuring Cale Yarborough at 8 p.m. ET and Dale Inman at 9 p.m. ET. The remaining biographies, also produced by NASCAR Media Group, will air on SPEED throughout December and January 2012: Richie Evans on Friday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. ET; Darrell Waltrip on Friday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. ET and Glen Wood on Friday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. ET. Each year five NASCAR legends are inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, beginning with the inaugural class of 2010. These five outstanding individuals make up the third class and will be officially enshrined at the third annual NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday evening, Jan. 20 in the Charlotte Convention Center's Crown Ballroom at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.(NASCAR)(12-8-2011)

Chiquita relocating headquarters to Charlotte: Chiquita Brands International, an iconic company whose name is almost synonymous with 'bananas,' said Tuesday that it will move its global headquarters to Charlotte next year, bringing some 400 jobs. The company was lured by $21.1 million in government incentives and the promise of easier international travel from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which has grown as the Ohio airport near Chiquita's current headquarters has shrunk. Chiquita is in negotiations to lease five or six floors in the NASCAR Plaza office tower adjoining the racing Hall of Fame. At the NASCAR Plaza, which has struggled to lease office space and faced foreclosure proceedings last year, Chiquita branding will feature prominently on and in the building.(Charlotte Observer)(11-30-2011)

NASCAR Hall of Fame open on Thanksgiving: The NASCAR Hall of Fame will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. It’s one of several promotions planned by the motorsports museum in uptown Charlotte. In addition, the NASCAR hall if offering a combo-ticket package that provide admission to both the racing museum and the WBT Holiday on Ice rink at the hall of fame plaza. The rink opens Tuesday and will be in operation through Jan. 8. More info at nascarhall.com.(Charlotte Business Journal)(11-22-2011)

Attendance declines leveling off at NASCAR Hall of Fame: September attendance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame fell compared to September 2010, and the racing museum again lost money. But the good news for the hall is that attendance declines are leveling off. The hall’s attendance in September was 13,054 – a 20% decrease compared with the 16,327 people who visited in September 2010. Previous year-over-year attendance declines had been greater than 30%. Through the first three months of the fiscal year, the hall has lost $449,747. During the same time period in 2010, the hall had lost $448,000. This fiscal year, the hall is being reimbursed for some maintenance items by the city of Charlotte. That lowers the hall’s loss to $292,150. The September loss was $83,982. After being reimbursed by the city, the hall’s books show a loss of only $11,962.(Charlotte Observer)(11-11-2011)

NASCAR Hall of Fame To Offer Limited-Time Twilight Rate: The NASCAR Hall of Fame is introducing a special Twilight Rate throughout the month of November. Available for a limited time only, the Twilight Rate offers guests visiting the interactive, entertainment attraction a special admission price of $9.95 for visits between 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. each weekday in November. In addition, Twilight Rate ticket purchasers receive a coupon for $5 off a return visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The special rate will not be offered during the Thanksgiving holiday, Thursday, Nov. 24 or Friday, Nov. 25. The Twilight Rate admission is valid for entry any time between 4 - 6 p.m. and provides full access to the NASCAR Hall of Fame where visitors can pack in the high-octane fun with more than 50 hands-on stations, authentic NASCAR artifacts and historic stock car exhibits. Guests also can get actively involved and practice a pit stop, walk through a full-size NASCAR Sprint Cup hauler, call a race, get behind the wheel in one of eight iRacing simulators and more. Young racers can get their hands-on experience in Kobalt Kids Zone and Race Week's child-friendly pit stop challenge. More info and tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame can be purchased by calling 877-231-2010 or at NASCARHall.com.(NASCAR HoF)(10-31-2011)

Hall of Fame attendance down in August: The NASCAR Hall of Fame lost $177,450 in August on attendance of 16,703 people, according to financial information released Wednesday by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. Those attendance numbers show a 27% decline compared with August 2010, when 23,539 people visited the hall. But that is actually an improvement over recent months. For the first two months of the fiscal year, the hall has lost $365,764. Its reimbursements from the city have meant its deficit is only $280,188.(Charlotte Observer)(10-13-2011)

Tickets on sale for "NASCAR Acceleration" Weekend: Tickets are now on sale 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. 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. For more information, visit www.nascaracceleration2012.com.(NASCAR)(9-21-2011)

More attendance woes for NASCAR Hall of Fame: Attendance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame fell by 35% in July from a year earlier, continuing a trend of declining results. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, operator of the $200 million publicly funded stock-car museum, reported the figures at its board meeting Wednesday. In July 2010, 33,452 people visited the hall of fame. Attendance declined to 21,910 in July 2011, the first month of the new fiscal year. July marked the third month of attendance slips of 30 percent or more in year-over-year comparisons. Those figures offer a barometer of interest in the hall of fame, which opened in May 2010. For May 2011, attendance was 30 percent below the previous year (25,034 visitors compared with 35,090 in May 2010). In June 2011, crowds dropped by 39 percent to 17,604 visitors for the month. Visitors authority board members didn’t discuss the hall of fame results during their meeting. A recent update to City Council included questions and discussion of whether ticket prices could be hurting attendance (Charlotte Business Journal)(9-15-2011)

Special Fan Event Joins NASCAR Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony: NASCAR announced the addition of a new fan-friendly event – the NASCAR Preview 2012, Presented by Sprint – that will follow January’s 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. "NASCAR Acceleration Weekend," scheduled for Jan. 20-22 in Charlotte, N.C., gives race fans an unprecedented, festival-like experience with a combination of events and activities featuring the legends of the sport and stars of today. "The NASCAR Acceleration Weekend will be an unforgettable start of a special tradition centered on the NASCAR Hall of Fame," said NASCAR President Mike Helton. "Putting the 2012 Induction Ceremony together with the NASCAR Preview 2012 makes this a must-visit event weekend for racing fans across the country."
Kicking 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 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. Exhibits of the five-member class will be unveiled inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Sunday, Jan. 22.
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 four of the five new NASCAR Hall of Fame members inducted the previous night.
The NASCAR Preview 2012, Presented by Sprint now joins the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona International Speedway, held the previous week, as the two premier events for fans to meet their favorite drivers and get revved up for the start of the season at the 54th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 26. "Accessibility to the stars of the sport is what sets NASCAR apart from other professional sports," said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "Giving fans an opportunity to honor legends of the sport one day and then meet future Hall of Famers the next day is the kind of fan-focused activities that the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte is uniquely positioned to deliver." Tickets for the 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and the NASCAR Preview 2012, Presented by Sprint go on sale Sept. 20. Fans can enter their e-mail address at www.nascaracceleration2012.com to receive updates and to receive a promo code for pre-sale opportunities.(NHOF)(8-17-2011)

NASCAR Hall of Fame posts $1.42 million loss: The NASCAR Hall of Fame, which will induct its third five-member class in January, posted an overall loss of $1.42 million for its first operating fiscal year. Owned and operated by the City of Charlotte through a license from NASCAR, the hall opened in May 2010 and its fiscal year runs from July 1-June 30. The losses are covered from the Charlotte tourism board reserves, but $979,563 of the deficit are royalties owed to NASCAR, which has deferred collecting on those payments until the hall of fame become profitable. The year-end figure was slightly higher than the $1.24 million loss originally forecasted in January as the hall lost $137,895 in June. Attendance for June was 17,604, compared with 28,678 for June 2010, the month after the hall opened.(Scene Daily)(8-12-2011)

NASCAR Hall of Fame attendance for June: Attendance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame fell nearly 40 percent in June compared with the same month a year ago, a development that could bring more cost-cutting to the city-owned hall. Unofficial numbers released Wednesday showed 17,604 people visited the hall in June, compared with 28,678 people in June 2011. Second-year attendance declines for attractions such as the hall aren't unusual, as initial excitement wears off. But the hall's budget for fiscal year 2012 calls for admissions from ticket revenue to increase by nearly 20 percent. Attendance in May was also down compared with the same month in 2010. Last year, 35,979 people attended the hall during the 21 days it was open. This year 25,034 people came during the entire month of May. If those attendance declines continue the hall could face a multi-million dollar loss for the current budget year.(Charlotte Observer)(7-14-2011)

Auto Show at the NASCAR Hall of Fame: The NASCAR Automotive Group invites NASCAR fans and automotive enthusiasts in the Charlotte, N.C. area to get their July 4th weekend in top gear this year by heading out to the NASCAR Performance Auto Show, which will be held on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Ceremonial Plaza on Saturday, July 2, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm/et.
NASCAR fans will have the opportunity to check out personal cars of some of their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers and personalities like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch, Ray Evernham and many more. The event will include games and giveaways, enter to win promotion featuring great prizes and experiences, exhibits by NASCAR automotive partners, NASCAR Hall of Fame discount offers, and passes for the Coke Zero 400 viewing party that night in the NASCAR Hall of Fame High Octane Theater.
Notable personal cars of NASCAR stars set to be featured at the NASCAR Performance Auto Show. The NASCAR Performance Auto Show is the second in a series of car shows to hit the NASCAR Hall of Fame Ceremonial Plaza this year. Admission to the Auto Show is free. Tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame can be purchased by calling 877-231-2010 or at www.NASCARHall.com.(NHOF)(6-30-2011)

3rd Hall of Fame class announced:
NASCAR announced today the 2012 class of inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The five-person class, which will be officially inducted in a ceremony during the weekend of Jan. 20, 2012 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., consists of: Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Inman, Richie Evans and Glen Wood.
Members of the 55-member NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today 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.”
The class was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, which included a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.COM. The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.
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.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame opened on May 11, 2010 in Uptown Charlotte, N.C. The 150,000 square foot entertainment complex honors the history and heritage of NASCAR and the many who have contributed to the success of the sport. In its first year of operation, the NASCAR Hall of Fame entertained more than 270,000 customers, making it the second most-visited sports hall of fame in North America.
More info about the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the list of 25 who were finalists for induction on my NASCAR Hall of Fame page or nascarhall.com.(6-14-2011)

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 a sweep of all four 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.

3rd NASCAR Hall of Fame Class to be announced: Voting Day is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14th at the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the next Class of Inductees. Five inductees to the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be chosen from a list of twenty-five. SPEED will air a live preview show of the announcement of the third class of five inductees to the NASCAR Hall of Fame at 3:00pm/et, followed by live coverage of the announcement at 4:00pm/et.(6-13-2011)

NASCAR Hall of Fame attendance for May: Attendance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame fell 30% in May 2011 compared with the same month a year earlier – the first year-over-year comparison for the city-owned attraction. Such a decline isn’t a surprise, and similar attractions report attendance declines once the initial excitement wears off. But the hall’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year projects the opposite. Instead of revenue declining from ticket sales, the hall projects a nearly 20% increase. A year ago, the hall attracted 35,090 people for the 21 days it was open in May. In May 2010, the hall attracted 25,014 people, according to estimates released Wednesday. The hall projects admissions revenue will be $4.9 million for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. It projects admissions revenue to be $4.2 million for the current fiscal year.
That $700,000 increase helped the hall show only a $1.1 million operating deficit for the upcoming year. That deficit will be covered by a subsidy from the city of Charlotte, according to the CRVA. The subsidy will come from a 2 percent tax on hotel and motel room occupancy that’s dedicated towards the hall. Hall spokesperson Kimberly Meesters said the optimistic ticket revenue projections are a “stretch goal” designed to push staff members to keep improving. If the numbers don’t pan out, the hall can adjust its budget, she said.
Despite struggles in its first year, CRVA board members and staff were upbeat about the hall. Executive director Winston Kelley said the hall has had a “direct spend” benefit of $40 million in its first year. That is based on surveys of how much people spent during their visits to the hall.(Charlotte Observer)(6-9-2011)

NASCAR Hall of Fame expects increased attendance: Next year's NASCAR Hall of Fame's draft budget predicts revenue from admissions will increase nearly 20 percent, an optimistic projection that runs counter to the experience of many similar attractions. The Georgia Aquarium, for instance, saw attendance decline 25 percent for its second year, and 15 percent more from year two to year three after the initial excitement wore off. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland showed similar declines in its first three years of operation. Attendance at those venues - and many others - then stabilized. The city-owned NASCAR Hall of Fame projected 800,000 visitors for its first year. Instead, attendance was roughly 274,000, including 12,000 free visits during an open house in January. Before the hall opened last year, hall backers expected attendance to decline from the first year to the second year. The draft budget calls for $4.88 million in admission revenue next fiscal year, while this year's admissions revenue is expected to be $4.15 million. A memo from the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, which operates the hall, said the admissions projections are based on a "stretch" target.(Charlotte Observer)(6-3-2011)

Second NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class Officially Enshrined: With each win, and each championship, a legend grew. And now, those legends have a permanent home. The second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame – champions all – captured over 350 victories and a dozen championships in NASCAR’s premier series. The five inductees – Bobby Allison, Ned Jarrett, Bud Moore, David Pearson and Lee Petty – make up the second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., which was officially inducted tonight, Monday, May 23. “This is fast becoming a night we all look forward to on the calendar,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, in his opening remarks during tonight’s Induction Ceremony. “To the second class, thank you for the memories and moments you gave this great sport.”
The common thread each inductee shares: NASCAR premier series championships. Allison won his lone premier series title in 1983, but his NASCAR Hall of Fame credentials may lie elsewhere. He won 84 times – tied for third on the all-time list – and three were in NASCAR’s most prominent race, the Daytona 500 (1978, ’82 and ’88). Not to be overshadowed, a proud piece of the Allison legacy: His two NASCAR Modified Series championships, in 1964-65.
“I went through a lot of things,” Allison said in his acceptance speech. “I got involved with a lot of people along the way. I won some races. Struggled, got better, did poorly, got better and everything. But the bottom line, it was just an incredible career. And this involved so many people.”
Two-careers-in-one landed Jarrett in the Hall. His first, that as a prolific driver, made him a NASCAR legend. His second, as an everyman broadcaster, made him a household name. Jarrett won 50 races, two NASCAR premier series championships (1961 and ’65) and two NASCAR Sportsman Division titles (1957-58), and later worked as an analyst for several networks, including MRN, CBS and ESPN.
“When it was announced several years ago there would be a NASCAR Hall of Fame, and when my name was among the original 25 nominees, my prayer from then on was to live long enough to be elected,” said Jarrett. “I’ve had to work hard on my health to be able to be here and enjoy this tremendous honor … I am very humbled by this huge honor, and I don’t take it lightly.”
Moore’s life is a storyteller’s dream. A World War II veteran who won five Purple Hearts, Moore went on to become one of the top owners and crew chiefs in NASCAR history. Credited with having a hand in shaping the beginnings of NASCAR, Moore won 63 premier series races as an owner, and three championships – as a crew chief for Buck Baker in 1957 and an owner for Joe Weatherly in 1962-63.
“My daughter-in-law, Carol, recently asked me how I wanted to be remembered,” said Moore during his induction speech. “The answer is simple: As one who made many contributions to the building of the sport, one whose handshake was as good as any contract, who always gave a straight answer and would never sugar coat it either. But most of all, to be remembered as a man who loved his family, his country and the sport of racing.”
Pearson’s 105 NASCAR premier series victories, which ranks second all-time, and three championships place him firmly on the short-list of “best NASCAR drivers ever.” Pearson never competed in every race in a season, yet tallied his astonishing wins total and still won multiple championships. In his acceptance speech, Pearson gave a nod to his prime competition in the “greatest ever” argument. “I want to thank Richard Petty, too,” Pearson said. “He's probably the one that made me win as many as I did. I run hard because he'd make me run hard. Sometimes he would make a mistake and I'd pass him. Of course, I didn't ever make mistakes. … I've had more fun running with him than anybody I ever run with 'cause I knew if I ever went to a racetrack and he was there, if I could beat him, I'd win the race.”
The patriarch of one of the most successful families in the sport’s history, Lee Petty joins his son, Richard, in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Petty won 54 NASCAR premier series races, and was the first to win three NASCAR premier series championships. He also founded Petty Enterprise, the juggernaut that amassed 10 driver championships under his watch. Petty, the only deceased member of the second class, was inducted into the Hall by grandsons Kyle, Mark, Ritchie and Tim Petty. Sons Richard and Maurice accepted the induction on Lee’s behalf.
“[Lee Petty] lived in his world and he didn't want anybody to tell him how to live in his world,” said Richard. “His big deal was to take care of his own. If you got in the way, didn't make a whole lot of difference to him, he got you out of the way. … Hopefully he's up there somewhere saying, ‘Okay, I know I'd get there, might have to push somebody out of the way to get there.’”
The inductors for the other four inductees: MRN broadcaster Barney Hall for Bud Moore; children Dale and Glenn Jarrett and Patti Makar for Ned Jarrett; brother Donnie Allison for Bobby Allison; and former public relations director for Darlington Raceway Russell Branham and Wood Brothers co-owner Leonard Wood for David Pearson.
Special congratulatory videos opened each inductee’s segment, with a number of high-profiled names starring in each. Those involved: University of Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban for Bobby Allison; former NASCAR broadcaster Ken Squier for Ned Jarrett; broadcast journalist and author Tom Brokaw for Bud Moore; NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty for David Pearson; and former President of the United States George H.W. Bush for Lee Petty. The five inductee exhibits officially open tomorrow (Tuesday) at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. For info on the NASCAR Hall of Fame, visit nascarhall.com.(NASCAR)(5-24-2011)

Hall of Fame Induction on SPEED: Mike Joy hosts the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony coverage with backstage hosting assistance from Krista Voda as Lee Petty, Bud Moore, Ned Jarrett, David Pearson and Bobby Allison are enshrined in the second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame at 8:00pm/et on SPEED. NASCAR Race Hub sets the stage for the Induction Ceremony with live interviews and pre-event ceremonies from the Hall of Fame at 7:00pm/et, and the network wraps up the special night with a 30-minute post-ceremony show. SPEED will air encore one-hour biography specials on the five inductees Monday beginning at 2:00 pm/et with the Petty special, followed by the specials on Moore, Jarrett, Pearson and Allison.(SPEED), see bios and info on my NASCAR Hall of Fame Class #2 page.(5-23-2011)

Former president welcomes Petty to Hall of Fame: President George H.W. Bush is no stranger to successful family dynasties, and the 41st President of the United States will share some of his perspective as he welcomes Petty family patriarch Lee Petty into the NASCAR Hall of Fame via video on May 23. “President Bush welcoming my grandfather into the NASCAR Hall of Fame is huge because when he raced, I don’t think there was a president in the White House who knew what stock car racing was,” said Kyle Petty, Lee Petty’s grandson and SPEED analyst. “It’s kind of like when President Reagan was there for The King’s 200th win. That was a big deal for The King but it also was a big deal for our family and our sport. I don’t think my grandfather would ever have expected anything like this because the president recognizing a NASCAR driver’s accomplishments was so far outside of the realm of what he thought possible back then.”
“The participation by President Bush amplifies the significance of the roles these inductees played as part of the fabric of our country,” said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. “SPEED is honored to be sharing an event of this magnitude with passionate race fans everywhere.”
Tom Brokaw, longtime anchor of NBC Nightly News and the author of The Greatest Generation, the best-selling book about the men and women who lived through the Great Depression and fought in World War II, will welcome Moore into the Hall. Moore, a veteran of WW II and successful NASCAR team owner, was among the soldiers who stormed the beach at Normandy on D-Day.
The University of Alabama’s national championship-winning coach Nick Saban pays tribute to Allison, a founding member of racing’s famed Alabama Gang, which included Allison, his brother Donnie, Red Farmer, Bobby’s son, Davey, Neil and David Bonnett and Hut Stricklin.
Richard Petty, a member of the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the undisputed “King” of NASCAR racing welcomes arch-rival David Pearson into the Hall, as the pair combined for an amazing 63 first/second place finishes. Legendary race broadcaster Ken Squier welcomes two-time NASCAR champion and broadcasting pioneer Ned Jarrett.(SPEED)(5-22-2011)

NASCAR hall marks a year: The NASCAR Hall of Fame, which celebrated its first anniversary Wednesday, said it has attracted 274,000 visitors since opening – second only nationwide to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority stressed the positives about the city-owned hall at its monthly meeting, and said the hall has been a boost to the city’s hospitality industry. But the hall is still losing money. The hall lost $184,672 in March, on attendance of 15,881, according to the CRVA. That brings the hall’s loss in the first nine months of the fiscal year to $1.33 million. Before the hall opened, the CRVA projected a nearly $800,000 surplus. But with attendance lower than projected, the CRVA has slashed more than $4 million in expenses. The CRVA projects the hall will finish the year with a deficit of $1.29 million. That means the hall is projected to break even for the months of April, May and June. The authority plans to use its $3.4 million reserve fund to cover the deficit. If losses continue, the CRVA would likely have to ask the Charlotte City Council for money from its tourism tax reserves. The CRVA and the city have said that general fund tax dollars won’t be used. Winston Kelley, the hall’s executive director, said the baseball hall’s annual attendance is 281,000. He said the hall’s unaudited attendance for its first year shows 274,000 visitors, though that number includes roughly 12,000 people who visited in January during a free open weeklong open house. “Our staff remains bullish,” Kelley said during the CRVA meeting. Derick Close, CRVA board chair, was also optimistic. He said the hall’s first-year attendance projection of 800,000 is “behind us,” and he said he expected the hall to do well in upcoming years. CRVA board members said the hall has put the city on the map, and helped fill hotel rooms and attract conventions. They said CRVA staff should start comparing the hall’s attendance with other sports halls nationwide.(Charlotte Observer)(5-14-2011)

NASCAR Hall of Fame Celebrates First Birthday: The NASCAR Hall of Fame celebrated its first birthday today with a special celebration attended by nearly 300 students from neighboring Metro School. In its first 12 months, the NASCAR Hall of Fame entertained more than 270,000 customers making it the second-most visited sports hall of fame in North America. In addition to the morning ceremony, guests visiting on May 11 were treated to a special one-day admission price of $5.11 with a $1 donation per ticket going to the American Red Cross for tornado victims (NASCAR Hall of Fame Facebook)(5-12-2011)

NASCAR Hall of Fame Celebrates First Birthday: On Wednesday, May 11, 2011, the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte, N.C., will celebrate its first birthday. A year ago, the venue captured national attention during its grand opening. This year's celebration will focus on the local and regional community. Highlights include a visit from Metro School students, special one-day admission price of $5.11 and donations to the Red Cross for tornado victims. "It is appropriate that we take a moment to show our appreciation for the community that has embraced us," said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "We have had challenges in this economy, the same challenges that many start-up businesses have. However, we also have many stories that should make Charlotteans and the NASCAR community very proud." As a special treat, various executives and board members will serve birthday cake to students from neighboring Metro School shortly after 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11 in the Great Hall. In addition, all customers that day will be treated to a discounted admission of $5.11 in honor of the landmark date, and $1 from every admission will go directly to the Red Cross to fund tornado relief efforts. In its first 12 months, the NASCAR Hall of Fame entertained more than 270,000 customers making it the second-most visited sports hall of fame in North America. In 2010, the National Baseball Hall of Fame led the way with 281,000 visitors, while the Pro Football Hall of Fame had 191,943 visitors. More info at the NASCAR Hall of Fame site.(NASCAR Hall of Fame)(5-9-2011)

MRN to broadcast Hall of Fame Induction: The Motor Racing Network will provide live coverage of the 2011 induction ceremony for the NASCAR Hall of Fame later this month as the cornerstone of its May schedule. The Hall of Fame induction will air live at 7 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, May 23, capping a busy four-day stretch of broadcasts by the network that will include the Camping World Truck Series race May 20 and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 21 - both originating from Charlotte Motor Speedway.(MRN)(5-6-2011)

Nominees announced for 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class: NASCAR announced the list of 25 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s third induction class to be enshrined in January 2012. From that list, five inductees will be elected by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, which includes a nationwide fan vote on NASCAR.COM.
Of the 25 nominees, 20 return from last year’s group. Five are first-timers: H. Clay Earles, Bobby Isaac, Cotton Owens, Les Richter and Leonard Wood.
This round of nominees, which again includes many of the sport’s legendary names, were selected by a 21-person nominating committee consisting of representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and track owners from both major facilities and historic short tracks. The committee’s votes were tabulated by accounting firm Ernst & Young.
The NHOF’s inductees will be determined by the Voting Panel, which has 54 members – the entire Nominating Committee, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs) and recognized industry leaders. In addition, the fan vote will result in the Voting Panel’s 55th and final ballot. Fan voting on NASCAR.COM opens on April 28 and closes June 12.
Following are the 25 nominees, listed alphabetically:
* Buck Baker,first driver to win consecutive NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championships (1956-57)
* Red Byron, first NASCAR premier (now 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
* Richie Evans,nine-time NASCAR Modified champion
* Tim Flock, two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
* Rick Hendrick, 13-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
* Jack Ingram, two-time NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series champion
* Dale Inman, eight-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championship crew chief
* Bobby Isaac, 1970 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
* Fred Lorenzen, 26 wins and winner of the Daytona 500 and World 600
* Cotton Owens, driver-owner, won 1966 owner championship with David Pearson
* Raymond Parks, NASCAR’s first champion car owner
* Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
* Les Richter, former NASCAR executive; former president of Riverside International Raceway
* Fireball Roberts, won 33 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series races, including the 1962 Daytona 500
* T. Wayne Robertson, helped raise NASCAR popularity as R.J. Reynolds Senior VP
* Herb Thomas, first two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion, 1951, ’53
* Curtis Turner, early personality, called the “Babe Ruth of stock car racing”
* Darrell Waltrip, 84 wins and three NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championships
* Joe Weatherly, two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
* Glen Wood, as driver, laid foundation for Wood Brothers’ future team success
* Leonard Wood, part-owner and former crew chief for Wood Brothers, revolutionized pit stops
* Cale Yarborough, three consecutive NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series titles, 1976-78
The Class of 2012 will be announced live on SPEED on June 14 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C and inducted next January. The 2011 class, which includes David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Ned Jarrett, Lee Petty, and Bud Moore will be enshrined at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Monday, May 23. The 21-person Nominating Committee, as well as the additional 34 members who make up the Voting Panel, are as follows...
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
NASCAR Hall of Fame: Executive Director Winston Kelley; Historian Buz McKim.
NASCAR Officials: Chairman/CEO Brian France; Vice Chairman Jim France; Senior Vice President Paul Brooks; President Mike Helton; Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton; Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O'Donnell; Competition Administrator Jerry Cook; former Vice President Ken Clapp.
Track Owners/Operators: International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa Kennedy; Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell; Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage; Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark; former Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George; Dover Motorsports CEO Denis McGlynn; Pocono Raceway owner Doc Mattioli; Bowman Gray Stadium operator Dale Pinilis; Riverhead Raceway operators Jim and Barbara Cromarty (1 vote); Toyota Speedway at Irwindale operator Jim Williams; Rockford Speedway owner Jody Deery.
VOTING PANEL
The Voting Panel consists of the above 21-member Nominating Committee and the following 34 representatives.
National Motorsports Press Association: Rea White, NMPA President; Kenny Bruce, SceneDaily.com; Dustin Long, Landmark Newspapers; Nate Ryan, USA Today; Jenna Fryer, Associated Press; Jim Pedley, RacinToday.com; NASCAR.COM representative TBD.
Eastern Motorsports Press Association: Ernie Saxton, EMPA President.
American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association: Dusty Brandel, AARWBA President.
Broadcasters: Mike Joy, FOX; Jerry Punch, ESPN; Kyle Petty, TNT; Barney Hall, MRN; Doug Rice, PRN; Rick Allen, SPEED; Dave Moody, Sirius NASCAR Radio.
Manufacturers: Chevrolet – Jim Campbell, former General Manager; Ford – Edsel B. Ford II, Board of Directors; Toyota – Lee White, President/General Manager, Toyota Racing Development USA.
Retired Drivers: Harry Gant; Ned Jarrett; Richard Petty; Ricky Rudd.
Retired Car Owners: Bud Moore; Cotton Owens; Junior Johnson.
Retired Crew Chiefs: Barry Dodson; Waddell Wilson; Buddy Parrott.
Industry leaders:Former Charlotte Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler; retired Associated Press writer Mike Harris; former motor sports journalist Tom Higgins; former broadcaster Ken Squier.
Fan Vote.(NASCAR)(4-19-2011)

2012 Hall of Fame nominees to be named Tuesday: The 25 nominees for the 2012 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be announced Tuesday, April 19 on NASCAR Race Hub on SPEED. Host Steve Byrnes will reveal the list of those chosen for consideration to the third class beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Voting for the five inductees to the 2012 class will be held in October, and the inductees will be enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in January 2012 on SPEED. The network also will carry the 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, honoring Lee Petty, Bud Moore, Ned Jarrett, David Pearson and Bobby Allison, May 23, 2011, at 8 p.m. ET, preceded by live pre-event coverage on NASCAR Race Hub at 7 p.m. ET.(SPEED)(4-15-2011)

NASCAR hall's losses reach $1 million: The NASCAR Hall of Fame lost $187,983 in January, pushing its cumulative loss for the fiscal year to $1.03 million. The hall's total attendance for the month was 23,177, which includes nearly 12,000 people who visited for free during a one-week open house. Before the hall opened in May, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority projected the hall would have a surplus of roughly $700,000 for its first year. But that budget has since been revised, and the CRVA now forecasts a loss of $1.29 million for fiscal year 2011. The good news for the CRVA is that the hall's financial performance is now matching the revised budget. In its revised budget, the CRVA had projected a loss of $1.07 million through January. That means the hall is slightly ahead of its new budget. The hall probably will have two more lean months in February and March before crowds grow again in April, May and June.(Charlotte Observer)(3-10-2011)

Hall of Fame inductions moved to January starting in 2012: NASCAR announced that the annual Induction Ceremony for the NASCAR Hall of Fame will move to January. The prestigious annual ceremony, which features presentations about each inductee from prominent members of the NASCAR community, will move from May to January starting in 2012. The exact Induction Ceremony date will be announced at a later time. "After holding the inaugural Induction Ceremony in May of 2010, we quickly decided a move to January would give this event a life of its own and would ensure the inductees garner the appropriate amount of attention from the fans, the media and the local community," said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. "In addition to this being the right move for the inductees, we also feel like making this a standalone event will greatly benefit NASCAR fans across the country that are itching for news in the early parts of the year." The 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony remains unchanged and will take place on Monday, May 23 at 7 p.m. ET in the Charlotte Convention Center's Crown Ballroom at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte, N.C. The Voting Panel for the third NASCAR Hall of Fame class will see some new faces with the addition of NASCAR’s Senior Vice President of Racing Operations, Steve O’Donnell, and Marcus Smith, president and chief operating officer of Speedway Motorsports Inc. NMPA President Rea White, Associated Press motorsports reporter Jenna Fryer and Sirius NASCAR Radio host Dave Moody also were added to the panel. As a result of the schedule change, voting for the 2012 class will take place on June 14 inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Fans who purchase a ticket that day can attend this special event.(NASCAR)(3-2-2011)

NASCAR hall posts largest monthly loss: The NASCAR Hall of Fame lost $327,041 in December, the largest monthly deficit since the hall opened in May. The losses were somewhat expected, as December was originally projected to be a slow month for the $200 million racing museum. In the original budget, the hall was expected to lose $118,171 for the month. Attendance for December was 14,636. For the first six months of the fiscal year, which began July 1, the hall has lost $836,745. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, which operates the city-owned hall, has scrapped its original budget. It has slashed expenses and now projects the hall will lose $1.288 million for the fiscal year. The CRVA has said that it will cover the hall’s loss this year from its own reserves. It’s unclear how the CRVA would handle future losses, but it would likely ask the Charlotte City Council to use reserves from hospitality taxes to pay for any shortfall. The city and the CRVA have said that general fund tax dollars won’t be used. From the hall’s opening May 11 through the end of December – a period of just under eight months – total attendance has been 197,737. The first-year projection was for 800,000 people, but it appears the hall will attract between 250,000 and 275,000 people. Hall officials have said they need to attract 350,000 people to break even. In January, the hall held a free open house for one week, for two hours a day in the afternoon. The open house attracted nearly 12,000 visitors but it’s unclear if the hall has been able to make money off the visitors from food or merchandise sales.(Charlotte Observer)(2-10-2011)

NASCAR Hall of Fame Licensed Tour Allows Guests to Remember the Life of Dale Earnhardt: The NASCAR Hall of Fame and AIM Tours are offering a once in-a-lifetime experience to reflect on the career of Inaugural Inductee Dale Earnhardt. The Dale Tour, a special two-day motorcoach tour limited to 50 people, gives guests the opportunity to tour the NASCAR Hall of Fame, meet Martha Earnhardt, have lunch at the RCR Museum, join a candlelight visual at DEI and visit many other Earnhardt-specific attractions Thursday, Feb. 17 - Friday, Feb. 18. The Dale Tour is a special two-day version of NASCAR Hall of Fame’s popular Ultimate Fan Experience tour and gives fans a look into the life of one of NASCAR’s most beloved drivers. It recognizes many of Earnhardt’s accomplishments on the racetrack as well as a behind-the-scenes look into his life off the track. Tickets are $179 per person and include two days of lunch, transportation and attraction admissions. The Dale Tour is offered through AIM Tours in conjunction with the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Tickets are $179.00 per person. The Dale Tour is limited to 50 guests. To learn more call 704-938-7390 or visit www.NASCARHall.com.(NASCAR Hall of Fame)(2-4-2011)

Educators Invited to Explore NASCAR Hall of Fame Free Feb. 5: Teachers are invited to explore the NASCAR Hall of Fame free of charge 10 am – 6 pm Saturday, Feb. 5. Educators from K-12 public, private and charter schools can learn more about the valuable programming available that delves into a range of science, math and social studies concepts to engage young minds.
Teachers can view three new social studies lesson packets and the six science and math lesson packets launched last year. Teachers also can view artifacts and exhibits that directly relate to curriculum standards. Members of the education department will be available to answer questions and share lesson plans. Advance reservations are not required, but educators must bring a photo ID and proof of employment at an accredited K-12 educational institution to the box office to receive free admission.
Specialized lesson plans act as a starting point for teachers looking to integrate this experience into their own classrooms. Each less plan includes a pre-visit activity, on-site activity at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and a post-visit activity. All lesson plans match state and national learning standards and are available at www.NASCARHall.com. The NASCAR Hall of Fame staff also offers assistance to teachers who prefer individualized curriculum.
Friends and family who accompany an educator are eligible for discounted admission from the box office on Saturday, Feb. 5. Discounted adult admission is $15.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week. Discounted parking is available in the NASCAR Hall of Fame parking garage on Brevard Street.(NHOF)(2-3-2011)

Trinity Capital group taking over at NASCAR Plaza tower: Charlotte-based Trinity Capital has teamed with a Philadelphia real estate investment firm to buy the NASCAR Plaza office tower, which had fallen into foreclosure after a loan default by its previous owner. Trinity and partner Rubenstein Partners have purchased the 19-story, 390,000-square-foot building at South Caldwell and East Stonewall streets.(Charlotte Business Journal)(1-13-2011)

Cuts help NASCAR hall trim loss: The NASCAR Hall of Fame narrowed its loss for November, with a deficit of $100,801 for the month thanks to aggressive cost-cutting. Attendance for the month was 18,585, which includes a large crowd of 2,000 for the day after Thanksgiving. That was the second-smallest monthly crowd since the city of Charlotte-owned hall opened in May, but the hall’s new austerity measures appear to be in place. The hall had $602,550 in revenue compared with $703,351 in expenses for the month. In previous months, the hall had been spending between $800,000 and $850,000 in expenses. The hall’s loss for the first five months of fiscal year is $509,703. The hall had budgeted a $1.1 million surplus by this point. In an effort to generate excitement, the hall is holding a free open house week this week. From 4 to 6 p.m., through Friday, visitors can see the hall for free. They can see all exhibits, though some electronic exhibits require a smart card, which requires a paid ticket. Hall spokesperson Kimberly Meesters said the response has been “fantastic,” with more than 4,000 visitors in the first two days of the open house. The snow canceled the open house Monday and Tuesday. In a revised budget, the hall is now projecting a loss of $1.29 million for the fiscal year, which ends in June. The loss will be covered by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority’s $3.4 million reserve fund, and city officials have said no general fund tax dollars will be used for the hall. The general fund pays for police, fire and other essential services.(Charlotte Observer)(1-13-2011)

NASCAR HoF closed Tuesday: Due to hazardous conditions around the entry of the facility, the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be closed to the public Tuesday, Jan. 11. At this time the facility is scheduled to operate normal business hours 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12. However, all hours are subject to change based on weather and road conditions. The ticker on the center of the front page of NASCARHall.com is the best source for updates. NASCAR Hall of Fame corporate offices remain open.(NASCAR HoF)(1-11-2011)

Snow cancels NASCAR HoF open house Monday: Due to inclement weather and poor road conditions, the NASCAR Hall of Fame will close at 4:00 pm Monday, Jan. 10 and reopen at noon Tuesday, Jan. 11 (a two-hour delay Tuesday). The Open House is canceled for Monday but is still on schedule for the remainder of the week (4-6 p.m. Tuesday – Friday). All hours are subject to change based on weather and road conditions. The ticker on the center of the front page of NASCARHall.com is the best source for updates.(NASCAR HoF)(1-10-2011)

NASCAR Hall of Fame debuts new exhibit: With the new year beginning, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is set to unveil a new exhibition, "Short Careers, Lasting Legacy" on Saturday, Jan. 8. The debut also kicks off "Open House Week" where guests can visit the entertainment facility for free from Saturday, Jan. 8 - Friday, Jan. 14 between 4 - 6 p.m. "Short Careers, Lasting Legacy" is on exhibit through late June in the Great Hall. It showcases authentic artifacts that tell the story of some of NASCAR's most memorable personalities. The exhibition recognizes individuals who left the sport in their prime or before they reached their full potential. Highlighting the exhibition is Tim Richmond's #25 Folgers Monte Carlo (1987), Alan Kulwicki's #7 Hooters Thunderbird (1992) and Davey Allison's #28 Texaco Thunderbird. Additional artifacts on display commemorate NASCAR contributors Bondy Long, Carl Kiekhaefer, Adam Petty and Billy and Bobby Myers.(Hall of Fame PR)(1-7-2011)

Bank halts foreclosure of NASCAR Plaza: Wells Fargo & Co. has stopped foreclosing on the NASCAR Plaza office tower in uptown Charlotte. The lender started foreclosure proceedings in November after being sued by its co-lender, Regions Bank, which claimed Wells "failed and refused to take timely action to collect" on the loan after the tower's developers stopped paying on the loan in December 2009. A foreclosure hearing had been scheduled for Nov. 30 and then rescheduled for Jan. 5 so the parties could continue negotiations, according to court filings. The case was voluntary dismissed without prejudice by the lender Dec. 31. Wells declined to comment.(Charlotte Observer)(1-6-2011)

Sara Evans concert at NASCAR Hall of Fame: The NASCAR Hall of Fame is set to welcome country royalty. Presented by WKKT 96.9 The Kat, guests can enter to win tickets to a special holiday concert Thursday, Dec. 16, featuring award-winning singer Sara Evans, courtesy of RCA Records. Bring an unwrapped toy to the NASCAR Hall of Fame anytime before Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. to become eligible for tickets. The WKKT 96.9 The Kat’s Schadt-a-Claus Wrap-up Concert will take place in the Belk High Octane Theater at the Hall Thursday, Dec. 16 at 4:30 p.m. Winners will be notified Dec. 15. More info at NASCARHall. com. The concert is a thank you event from WKKT-FM, Morning Personality Paul Schadt and his co-host Meg for helping the annual Schadt-a-Claus Toy Drive benefit the US Marine Corp and Toys for Tots. Evans will perform a 30-40 minute acoustic set for the winners in the Belk High Octane Theater, while Charlotte’s Honorary Mayor of Country Music, Schadt, and his co-host Meg will be on hand to greet fans and listeners. The NASCAR Hall of Fame will be accepting toys for the drive in the main lobby through Tuesday, Dec.14.(NASCAR Hall of Fame)(12-13-2010)

More losses expected at Hall of Fame: After losing $409,000 between July and October, the NASCAR Hall of Fame expects to lose a total of $1 million to $1.3 million by the end of the current fiscal year next summer. Those projections from the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority were included in a detailed analysis of the hall of fame's operations included in the regular Friday memo sent to City Council members this week. Losses in that range assume attendance in the range of 250,000 to 275,000 people for the year, a sharp reduction from several previous projections made before and after the hall of fame opened last spring. Even with 300,000 people visiting this fiscal year - attendance totaled 101,000 through the first four months - the hall of fame would still lose $544,000 for the year, according to the projections provided to the city. A slight profit occurs when attendance reaches 330,000. Deficits are expected in the latest budget scenarios. Tim Newman, chief executive at the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, told the board he sees little chance of recouping the $409,000 lost during the first four months of the current fiscal year, but did not disclose the specific estimates released to the city later in the day. As those projections make clear, even with as much as $3 million in cuts expected next month, the hall of fame still anticipates more losses during the final eight months of fiscal 2011. This week, the visitors authority, which operates the publicly owned hall of fame, reported audited results for October. Despite a $40,000 profit for the month - a dramatic improvement compared with September - the hall of fame missed earlier forecasts by a wide margin. The visitors authority anticipated a profit of $1.1 million through the first four months; instead, it's running a deficit of $409,000 at the $195 million hall of fame.(Charlotte Business Journal)(12-12-2010)

Hall of Fame Ceremony set for May 23: NASCAR announced that the 2011 Induction Ceremony for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s second class will be held on Monday, May 23. Joining the inaugural class of Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Junior Johnson and Richard Petty will be Bobby Allison, Ned Jarrett, Bud Moore, David Pearson and Lee Petty. The Induction Ceremony is open to the public and will be held the evening of May 23, 2011 at the Charlotte Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom, which is connected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis and interested fans should visit NASCARHall.com for more details on next year’s class, upcoming appearances, ceremony details and the Induction Dinner on May 18. The 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame class was determined in October by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel.(NASCAR)(12-6-2010)

NASCAR working with NASCAR Hall of Fame...but: NASCAR told the Charlotte City Council Monday that it's working to make racing's new hall of fame a success, and outlined how it has helped, much of it from donated media time to promote the $200 million museum. But when asked by the Observer whether it would help pay for annual operating losses that could exceed $1 million, the organization declined to comment. NASCAR only said that it won't make any money from the hall until it turns an operating profit. "The key point is we won't take any money from the project until it's successful," said Paul Brooks, a NASCAR senior vice president. Under NASCAR's contract with the city, Charlotte can withhold NASCAR's royalty payments from the hall if it loses money. NASCAR is allowed to take a cut of 10 percent of all hall revenues. NASCAR and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, which operates the hall, gave council members an update on the hall's first seven months. The hall hasn't met attendance projections, and ran a $448,000 deficit for the first three months of the fiscal year that began in July (full story at Charlotte Observer). UPDATE: Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx compared the NASCAR Hall of Fame to the deficit-riddled U.S. National Whitewater Center and said lessons need to be learned about earlier — and missed — projections for attendance at the publicly owned auto-racing museum. Deficits and disappointing attendance brought leaders of the $195 million publicly funded NASCAR Hall of Fame before City Council on Monday night. Executives from the hall of fame, its operator — the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority — and NASCAR itself offered a range of explanations and strategies for improving ticket sales and attendance in the months ahead. At the same time, they defended the uptown attraction as a valuable addition to the local tourism sector. The discussion followed several weeks of disappointing results for the hall of fame. Through the first three months of fiscal 2011, operating deficits were just under $450,000, well below the $850,000 surplus called for in the budget for the year.(Charlotte Business Journal)(11-23-2010)

NASCAR Hall of Fameloses money, but plans to improve: The NASCAR Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that it lost $258,522 in September, bringing its total loss for the first three months of the fiscal year to roughly $448,000. Despite the red ink, the hall is optimistic that it has a plan to improve financially. October attendance, boosted by the Bank of America 500, will likely be around 30,000 people, and the hall may turn a profit for the month. In addition, the hall has started an aggressive marketing effort to locals, including a number of promotions that reduce the price of tickets. "We definitely feel like we are on the right track," said hall spokesperson Kimberly Meesters. "We're not sitting still." The hall's original budget -- which will be revised later this year -- projected a $853,000 operating profit from July to September. It then projected a profit in October, and then six straight months of operating losses in the winter and spring. After that, there would be large surpluses in May and June to finish the fiscal year in the black. The hall's challenge is to cut expenses and attract more visitors to keep its loss from growing. There are some signs the hall is having success. Early this month, the racing shrine was boosted by the World of Outlaws races at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Dirt Track. Enough fans came to the hall that there was a lengthy line for entrance. September attendance was 16,327, after August drew 23,534 fans. September revenue was $612,680, and was slightly higher than August revenue of $607,827. Despite drawing more than 6,000 fewer fans, the hall was boosted by a large number of groups renting the hall after hours. Expenses for September were $871,202, and were $888,336 in August.(Charllotte Observer)(11-13-2010)

NASCAR Hall of Fame Research shows Patron Satisfaction and Economic Impact: With the half-year mark in the rearview mirror, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is collecting data that points to impressive customer service and satisfied patrons. Survey results were gathered from more than 3,200 visitors who have experienced the NASCAR Hall of Fame since its May 11 grand opening, and the new Charlotte attraction is earning high marks on features like quality of exhibits and artifacts and economic impact.
Among many encouraging results, 84% of visitors to the venue are coming from at least 50 miles away, staying for approximately 2.1 days and traveling with a party size of 3.5 guests. Even more encouraging, 57% of respondents say they’re making the trip primarily to visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame. That’s a significant visitation indicator since the economic impact of these visitors is approximately $191 per person per day – nearly double what Charlotte typically sees from leisure travelers.
In patron satisfaction surveys, out of a possible five points, exhibits received an average of 4.78, friendliness of crew members 4.81, overall quality 4.83, likelihood to recommend 4.70 and likelihood to visit again 4.35. Feedback from initial visitors has been instrumental in measuring and maintaining customer satisfaction.
Hundreds of comments collected from patrons about their overall experience demonstrate this further. “The interactive nature of the Hall of Fame was its strongest feature,” wrote one visitor. “Our two children, ages 5 and 9, had a terrific time and are already asking when we are going to visit again.” The most common theme among anecdotal feedback is that the NASCAR Hall of Fame offered much more than the guest expected.
In the first six months, the NASCAR Hall of Fame has had more than 150,000 visitors and is on pace with similar attractions. According to recent media reports, last year the Pro Football Hall of Fame had 196,205 visitors, the Baseball Hall of Fame had 289,818 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drew 373,604.
In addition to general admission tickets, the NASCAR Hall of Fame generates revenue through a variety of sources. Group sales and facility rentals have been particularly successful, with 773 groups totaling 34,642 individuals visiting the Hall to date and 92 facility rentals for special events of all sizes. Also, approximately 100 on-site special events and promotions activities have occurred at the NASCAR Hall of Fame since it first opened its doors less than 200 days ago. For more information, including a copy of all guest comments and the complete survey results, visit www.NASCARHall.com.(11-13-2010)

Wells Fargo foreclosing on NASCAR Plaza tower: After being sued by its co-lender, Wells Fargo & Co. has started foreclosure proceedings against the NASCAR Plaza office tower. According to court filings, property owner Corporate Plaza Partners defaulted a year ago, when a $95 million loan Wells and Regions Financial Corp. made in 2007 came due; the outstanding balance was more than $70 million. Corporate Plaza Partners is an affiliate of Indianapolis-based Lauth Group Inc., which developed the tower next to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.(Charlotte Business Journal)(11-13-2010)

NASCAR Hall of Fame Offers Weeklong Discount In Honor of Veterans Day: In honor of Veterans Day, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is offering a weeklong military discount. Retired and active military members can enjoy a special discount of 50% off admission to the facility for a Veterans Week Celebration Monday, Nov. 8 – Sunday, Nov. 14, a savings of nearly $9 per person. As an added bonus, active-duty service members will receive a free international 60-minute calling card from Cell Phones for Soldiers. Military members should bring a military ID to receive their discount. The discounted ticket can be purchased at the NASCAR Hall of Fame box office only. In addition to this special one-week offer, the NASCAR Hall of Fame also offers a year round $2 discount for military personnel. More info at the NASCAR Hall of Fame site.(11-8-2010)

Kids in costume receive FREE admission this weekend at NASCAR Hall of Fame: Parents and their little “boils and ghouls” can find a frightfully fun time this weekend at the NASCAR Hall of Fame as the entertainment attraction introduces HALLoween at the Hall Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30-31. Plus, whether dressed as a ghost, witch or mini-NASCAR driver, children 12 and younger in costume will receive free admission to the NASCAR Hall of Fame (a $12.95 value). During the Race Day Experience, the NASCAR Hall of Fame Pit Stop Café also will get into the spirit of the howliday offering a terror-ific menu of Halloween-themed treats such as Witches Warts (apple fritter donuts), Zombie Mud Slide (hot chocolate), Werewolf Moonshine (hot apple cider), Jack-o-latern cookies and more. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. More info at www.NASCARHall.com.(10-28-2010)

2nd Hall of Fame class announced:
NASCAR announced today the second class of inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. That class consists of: David Pearson - 94%; Bobby Allison - 62%; Lee Petty - 62%; Ned Jarrett - 58%; Bud Moore - 45%.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, consisting of members of the Nominating Committee along with 31 others representing all facets of the NASCAR industry, met in a closed session in Charlotte, N.C., to vote on the induction class of 2011. The announcement was made in the Great Hall inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The class was determined by 53 votes cast by the panel and the nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.COM. The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.
The Class of 2011 will be officially inducted in a ceremony in May 2011 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte.
The results of the voting for the five chosen in this class proved quite competitive. Also receiving votes were Dale Inman, Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip.
As part of the inclusive voting process, hundreds of thousands of NASCAR fans submitted votes online at NASCAR.COM. That remarkable feedback once again demonstrated fans’ passion and knowledge of the sport and its heritage. The fans’ top five: Bobby Allison, David Pearson, Lee Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough.
Here were the 25 nominees for induction into the 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame class:
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 to the public on May 11, 2010. The facility honors the history and heritage of NASCAR and the many who have contributed to the success of the sport.(10-13-2010)

Highlighting the Class of 2011:

Bobby Allison
Allison, winner of the 1983 NASCAR premier series championship, ended his career with 84 victories, tied for third on the all-time list. In 1972, he won 10 races, had 12 second-place finishes and was the NASCAR premier series runner-up (to Richard Petty). Allison captured the NASCAR Modified Special Division championship in 1962 and ‘63 and then went on to win the Modified Division the following two years. In 1998, Allison was named one of NASCAR’s “50 Greatest Drivers.”

Ned Jarrett
Jarrett was a two-time NASCAR champion (1961 and 1965) and two-time Sportsman Division champion (1957 and ‘58). Through his career he totaled 50 premier series wins, tied for 11th all-time. In 1998 he was named one of NASCAR’s “50 Greatest Drivers.” After retiring in 1966, Jarrett helped grow the sport through his second career as a broadcaster.

Bud Moore
A decorated World War II infantryman, Bud Moore became a successful NASCAR Sprint Cup owner almost immediately upon fielding a team in 1961. Moore won back-to-back championships in 1962-63 with Joe Weatherly. Earlier, in 1957, Moore – who referred to himself as “a country mechanic” – was crew chief for champion Buck Baker.

David Pearson
Pearson is a three-time NASCAR champion whose career total of 105 victories is second on the all-time list. Pearson won his titles in 1966, ’68 and ’69. He also won the sport’s biggest event, the Daytona 500 in 1976. In 1998 he was named one of NASCAR’s “50 Greatest Drivers.”

Lee Petty
Petty became the sports first three-time series champion after winning titles in 1954, ’58 and ’59. He was also the winner of the first Daytona 500 in 1959. His 54 career victories stands ninth on the all-time list and he never finished lower than fourth in points from 1949-1959. In 1998, he was named one of NASCAR’s “50 Greatest Drivers.” Petty is the founder of Petty Enterprises and as an owner had more than 2,000 starts and 268 wins.

Reminder - 2nd Hall of Fame class to be announced this afternoon: Voting Day for the second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be today, Wednesday, Oct. 13 at the hall, in Charlotte, N.C. NASCAR broadcast partner SPEED will carry the announcement of the second class live at 4:00 pm/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 ended Sept. 26. 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. More info at nascarhall.com or Jayski's NASCAR Hall of Fame page and last years NASCAR Hall of Fame Class #1 2010 page.
TV: Darrell Waltrip, a nominee, is part of the SPEED broadcast team for the network’s exclusive coverage of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Day on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 4:00 pm/et. Waltrip is joined on-air by NASCAR on FOX booth partner Mike Joy, as well as Ken Squier and Kyle Petty – three voting members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame selection committee. SPEED’s coverage of NASCAR Hall of Fame Vote Day begins at 3:00 pm/et with a special preview show, followed at 4:00 pm/et [re-air at 8:00pm/et and 10:00pm/et] with live coverage of the announcement of the five new members of the Hall, scheduled to be enshrined in May 2011.
Radio: Sirius Satellite Radio Ch.128 at 4:00 pm/et
The 53 People Who Will Vote on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Today
NASCAR OFFICIALS (8) Brian France, Jim France, Mike Helton, Paul Brooks, Robin Pemberton, Jim Hunter, Jerry Cook, Ken Clapp
HALL OF FAME STAFF* (2) Winston Kelley, Buz McKim
NASCAR-SANCTIONED TRACK OPERATORS* (11) Lesa France Kennedy, Bruton Smith, Clay Campbell, Ed Clark, Tony George, Denis McGlynn, Doc Mattioli, Dale Pinilis, Jim and Barbara Cromarty (one vote), Jim Williams, Jody Deery
MEDIA (13) Kenny Bruce, Dustin Long, Nate Ryan, Jim Pedley, Duane Cross, Ernie Saxton, Dusty Brandel, Ken Squier, Mike Joy, Jerry Punch, Barney Hall, Doug Rice, Rick Allen
MANUFACTURERS (3) Jim Campbell, Edsel B. Ford II, Lee White
RETIRED DRIVERS (5) Harry Gant, Ned Jarrett, Kyle Petty, Richard Petty, Ricky Rudd
RETIRED CAR OWNERS (3) Bud Moore, Cotton Owens, Junior Johnson
RETIRED CREW CHIEFS (3) Barry Dodson, Waddell Wilson, Buddy Parrott
INDUSTRY LEADERS (4) Humpy Wheeler, Chris Economacki, Mike Harris, Tom Higgins
FANS (1)(Daytona Beach News Journal)(10-13-2010)

Race week activities at the NASCAR Hall of Fame include:
Wednesday, Oct. 13: 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Voting Day –The NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel meets to determine and announce the second five inductees. The announcement, scheduled for 4 p.m., is open to the public.
Thursday, Oct. 14: Richard Petty Book Signing – Inaugural Inductee Richard Petty will be signing copies of his audio scrapbook at noon.
Saturday, Oct. 16: Meet the 2011 Inductees – The new class of inductees or their representatives make their first public appearance as a group at 10:15 a.m. in the Great Hall.
Sunday, Oct. 17: Kasey Kahne Appearance – The Kasey Kahne Foundation 5K Charity Run and Kids’ Dash will begin at 8 a.m. at the Bank of America Stadium and finishes at the NASCAR Hall of Fame with a special question-and-answer period at approximately 9:30 a.m. with Kahne in Ceremonial Plaza.
For tickets deals, prices and more details, visit www.NASCARHall.com. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is open seven days a week, 362 days a year.(NHOF)(10-12-2010

Insiders Hall of Fame Class #2 choices: The official announcemengt is not due out until Wed. Oct 13th, then the 2nd class of five are chosen for the NASCAR Hall of Fame but...........According to an extensive survey of motorsports industry insiders conducted by Stock Car History Online, five legendary drivers could be considered favorites for the second class of inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The competitors are David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip and Lee Petty. Actual voting for the second class will be conducted and announced next week.
The Stock Car History Online survey was conducted over the last month, and included a panel of 51 industry insiders. Among those who responded were Allison; 2004 Cup champion Kurt Busch; Talladega Superspeedway track president Grant Lynch; Michigan International Speedway president Roger Curtis; Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning; Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage; famed NASCAR artist Sam Bass; and journalists spanning the print, radio, television and Internet media spectrum. See the full story at stockcarhistoryonline.com.(10-6-2010)

Second NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class to be announced October 13: 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 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.(NASCAR)(9-22-2010)

NASCAR Hall of Fame to Offer Back-to-School Savings: Students can enjoy a week of back-to-school special programming, activities and discounted admission at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Students who donate a pack of pencils to the Classroom Central School Tools drive at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 14 - Sunday, Aug. 22 receive 50% off general admission to the 150,000 square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction. Classroom Central equips students to effectively learn by collecting and distributing free school supplies. College and K-12 students can support the drive by donating school supplies (packs of pencils preferred) at the entrance of the NASCAR Hall of Fame to receive 50% off admission. During their visit, guests also will be treated to a variety of special activities including caricatures, storytelling with the NASCAR Hall of Fame historian, student-only pit crew challenges and mascot appearances. Guests can visit www.NASCARHall.com for daily programming and updates.
After enjoying their pencil pack donation savings, guests can pack in the high-octane fun with more than 50 interactive stations, iRacing simulators, authentic NASCAR artifacts, historic stock car exhibits and more. Also, on exhibit for a limited time, guests can get a close-up look at the #3 Wrangler Chevrolet Impala that Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove to victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race July 2, 2010 at Daytona International Speedway. For more details, visit www.NASCARHall.com.(NHOF)(8-16-2010)

Hall of Fame attendance short of estimates: Three months after it opened, the NASCAR Hall of Fame said Monday its total attendance passed 100,000 last week. The hall's daily attendance has averaged 1,140 people over the first 90 days of operation. If that attendance level holds up for the year, the hall would have about 410,000 visitors for its first year. The hall projected it would have 800,000 visitors in its first 13 1/2 months of operation, and then 400,000 people annually after that. The hall also said 70 percent of its customers are from 100 miles or beyond, and 26 percent of its customers have come from 500 miles or farther. The average distance driven to visit the hall in its first 10 weeks of operation was 368 miles.(Charlotte Observer)(8-10-2010)

Dale Jr.'s Daytona winning #3 to the NASCAR Hall of Fame: The NASCAR Hall of Fame now is the temporary home of one of the most talked about race cars of 2010. Beginning July 14, included with the price of admission, guests can get a close-up look at the #3 Wrangler Chevy that Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove to victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race July 2, 2010 at Daytona International Speedway. The car carries the same design of the race cars Earnhardt Jr.’s father, Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Dale Earnhardt, made famous in the 1980s. This #3 Wrangler Chevy was built and prepared by JR Motorsports and entered in the Daytona race by legendary owner Richard Childress. The combination of Earnhardt Jr., Dale Earnhardt Inc. and RCR has a very brief yet shining history on the track. In only two races together, Earnhardt drove the #3 Chevy to victory on both occasions (February 2002 and July 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Daytona International Speedway). On loan from JR Motorsports, the race car is on exhibit in the Great Hall of the NASCAR Hall of Fame until Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. More info on the NASCAR Hall of Fame on my NASCAR Hall of Fame News and Links page.(7-15-2010)

NASCAR announces 2011 Hall of Fame nominees: NASCAR announced the list of 25 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame's second induction class. From that list, five inductees will be chosen. The 2011 inductee class will be announced in October and honored next year at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. This year's inaugural induction class consisted of Dale Earnhardt, Junior Johnson, Bill France Jr., Bill France Sr. and Richard Petty. The second round of nominees, which again includes many of the sport's legendary names, were selected by a 21-person nominating committee consisting of representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and track owners from both major facilities and historic short tracks. The committee's votes were tabulated by accounting firm Ernst & Young. Joining the 21-person committee this year is Jody Deery, owner of acclaimed quarter-mile short track Rockford (Ill.) Speedway. She replaces Tom Blackwell, former owner of Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway, who passed away in April. The HOF's inductees will be determined by the Voting Panel, which has 53 members - the entire Nominating Committee, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs) and recognized industry leaders. In addition, the fan vote will result in the Voting Panel's 53rd and final ballot. Four new members will join the Voting Panel this year: Richard Petty, Kyle Petty of TNT, legendary media member Chris Economaki, and Jim Campbell of Chevrolet. Following are the 25 nominees:
* Bobby Allison, 1983 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and winner of 84 races:
* Buck Baker, first driver to win consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships:
* Red Byron, first NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, in 1949:
* Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series:
* Jerry Cook, six-time NASCAR Modified champion:
* Richie Evans, nine-time NASCAR Modified champion:
* Tim Flock, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
* Rick Hendrick, 12-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
* Jack Ingram, two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion
* Dale Inman, eight-time NASCAR Sprint Cup championship crew chief
* Ned Jarrett, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
* Fred Lorenzen, 26 wins and winner of the Daytona 500 and World 600
* Bud Moore, 63 wins and two NASCAR Sprint Cup titles as a car owner
* Raymond Parks, NASCAR's first champion car owner
* Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
* David Pearson, 105 victories and three NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
* Lee Petty, winner of first Daytona 500 and first three-time series champion
* Fireball Roberts, won 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 1962 Daytona 500
* T. Wayne Robertson, helped raise NASCAR popularity as R.J. Reynolds Senior VP
* Herb Thomas, first two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, 1951 and '53
* Curtis Turner, early personality, called the "Babe Ruth of stock car racing"
* Darrell Waltrip, winner of 84 races and three NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
* Joe Weatherly, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
* Glen Wood, as driver, laid foundation for Wood Brothers' future team success
* Cale Yarborough, winner of three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, 1976-78
(NASCAR)(7-1-2010)

25 Nominee's for Hall of Fame to be announced: UPDATES SPEED will deliver a special edition of NASCAR Race Hub on Thursday, July 1 at 8:00pm/et, with live and exclusive coverage from Daytona Beach and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, as NASCAR unveils its 25 nominees for the 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame.(6-28-2010)
UPDATE: On Thursday, the 2010 nominees for the NASACAR Hall of Fame will be announced. As with last year's inaugural list, there again will be 25 names. Twenty will be repeat nominees. Ladies and gentlemen, start your debates. And today, do we ever have a debate for you, in the process giving you a "sneak peek" at the nominees. One guy is a repeat nominee – Richie Evans. The other guy is a first-time nominee – Jerry Cook. These two are, arguably, the greatest NASCAR modified drivers of all-time. Many would say there's no argument, in making that assessment. Perhaps the best way to frame this debate is by reminding you that when these gentlemen competed, they hated each other like poison. Evans died in 1985, or else the bad feelings would probably still linger. Remember, they were from the same town , Rome, N.Y. And they always were chasing the same thing: championships. Evans won a record nine NASCAR modified championships, by the way, including eight consecutively from 1978-85. Cook won six. Evans was a hard-partying, hard-charger. Cook was more conservative, on and off the track. Perhaps that led to Evans' fans labeling Cook as a "stroker," race-speak for a points racer – one of the ultimate insults to hurl at a driver.(NASCAR)(6-29-2010)
UPDATE 2: In the days of NASCAR pre-Petty, there already were some superstars on the scene. We’re talking big-time personalities who help lay the foundation for NASCAR’s current fan base. We’re talking about Fireball Roberts – some call him NASCAR’s first superstar – and Fred Lorenzen, who was so popular he had several nicknames. Both are among this year’s list of nominees for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, with Roberts being a repeat nominee, as he was one of last year’s inaugural nominees. Lorenzen is one of five first-timers, who will be part of the overall 25-nominee announcement on Thursday night.(NASCAR)(6-30-2010)

See Coke 400 at NASCAR Hall of Fame: Members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame are offered a special pre-sale tickets to an upcoming event. On Saturday July 3rd, the NASCAR Hall of Fame will show the Daytona Coke Zero 400 live in the Belk High Octane Theater. Tickets for the event are $5 and include a free simulator ride, plus each attendee will be given a scanner to listen to drivers and their teams along with the NASCAR Official Channel play by play. Below are the details of the event:
Location: Belk High Octane Theater located inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm race starts at 7:30pm.
Cost: $5 for adults and children. Children 2 and under are free.
Date: Saturday, July 3rd
Event: Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway
Extra’s: Each attendee will be given a free simulator ride plus a scanner to listen to drivers and their teams along with the NASCAR Official Channel play by play.
Entrance: Please use the Caldwell St Entrance.
Food: Concessions will be open for an additional cost.(NHOF)(6-24-2010)

Charlotte wins dispute with NASCAR Hall of Fame parking deck: The city of Charlotte stands to collect $5.2 million after an arbitrator ruled in its favor on construction costs and overruns at the NASCAR Hall of Fame parking deck. The dispute began when costs for the parking deck exceeded the original budget, causing the city and Corporate Plaza Partners to disagree over which party was responsible for paying the difference. The city filed and then withdrew default claims in June 2009 against Corporate Plaza Partners, a limited liability company formed by Lauth Property Group, developer of a 20-story, $90 million office tower that is also part of the hall of fame complex. Originally estimated to cost $22 million, the parking deck was finished at a price of $26 million. The city’s contribution to the deck was capped at $10.8 million. Binding arbitration led to the ruling this month in favor of the city. It encompasses $5 million owed for parts of the parking-deck and loading-dock work, as well as $156,147 in interest accrued at an 8% rate. The arbitrator denied city claims of interest after June 4, 2009, citing the withdrawn default claim and a partial settlement that allowed work to continue on the project. Last week the city sent a request to Corporate Plaza Partners’ banks, Wells Fargo and Regions Bank, to claim $2.2 million from accounts established for debt related to the project. The remaining $2.8 million, plus the interest, would be paid by Corporate Plaza Partners.(Charlotte Business Journal)(5-30-2010)

NASCAR Hall of Fame Concludes First Week; Attention Turns to Induction: Approximately 10,000 guests visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame in its first seven days of business and operators are now turning focus to the Inaugural Induction Week Thursday, May 20 - Sunday, May 23. Induction activities begin Thursday, May 20 in the Ceremonial Garden outside the NASCAR Hall of Fame where Inductees will unveil their signatures in granite tiles. The media event begins at 5:00pm, and the public is invited to view the unveiling from the Ceremonial Plaza. Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Teresa Earnhardt, Brian France, Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy are expected to participate. Also, Thursday, May 20, Inductees will participate in the Inaugural Induction Dinner at the Crown Ballroom in the Charlotte Convention Center connected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The dinner begins at 6:00 pm and will feature various NASCAR dignitaries sharing memorable stories about the Inaugural Class of Inductees. The highlight of the week is the Inaugural Induction Ceremony on Sunday, May 23. NASCAR Hall of Fame customers that day will be treated to added perks including prime viewing of the red carpet and the first to see the Hall of Honor exhibits. Guests who purchased a NASCAR Hall of Fame general admission ticket for the morning of May 23 will be invited to view the celebrity-filled, red-carpet entry from the Great Hall. The hour-and-a-half procession begins at 11:30 am outside the NASCAR Hall of Fame and continues up Glory Road and into the Crown Ballroom. In addition to seeing Inductees and NASCAR drivers walk the red carpet, guests that day will be the first to view the Hall of Honor exhibits. The Hall of Honor features extensive exhibits highlighting the life and career of each inductee. The exhibits will be unveiled at approx. 5:00 pm on May 23. Tickets to enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame are separate from Induction Ceremony tickets and can be purchased by calling 877-231-2010 or at www.NASCARHall.com. NASCAR Hall of Fame 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. Charter memberships also are available starting at $25 for children and $50 for adults.
. A limited number of tickets remain for the Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The event is scheduled for 1:00 pm May 23 in the Charlotte Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte, N.C. The prestigious ceremony will feature presentations about each inductee from prominent members of the NASCAR community. The highlight of the event will be the official induction of the Inaugural Class of 2010: Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Jr., Bill France Sr., Johnson and Petty. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. SPEED is the exclusive television home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and will offer a full slate of programming leading up to live coverage of the induction ceremony.(5-18-2010)

NASCAR Hall of Fame and Cultural Organizations Partner for Grand Opening: Area arts, science and history organizations in Charlotte are partnering with the NASCAR Hall of Fame to celebrate its grand opening on May 11, 2010. The organizations are providing discounted or free admission at their facilities to Hall of Fame ticket holders. The participating organizations are (offers valid only May 11, unless specified):
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
420 South Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Offer: Show your Hall of Fame hard card and receive $2 off individual admission.
Charlotte Museum of History
3500 Shamrock Road, Charlotte, NC 28215
Offer: Buy-one-get-one-free coupons available for their Beneath the Badge exhibit.
Discovery Place
301 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Offer: Show your Hall of Fame hard card and receive $2 off admission. Offer valid through Sun., May 16.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
551 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Offer: Show your Hall of Fame hard card and receive $2 off individual admission.
Levine Museum of the New South
200 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Offer: Show your Hall of Fame hard card, get $1 off individual admission or $2 off family/household admission, AND receive a free Richard Petty historic mini-poster! Posters available while supplies last.
North Carolina Dance Theatre
Blumenthal Box Office – Belk Theater
Offer: Show your Hall of Fame hard card at the Blumenthal Box Office and receive a 20% discount on tickets to Director’s Choice performances at 7:30pm May 13 – 15, 2010.
Mint Museum of Art
2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
Offer: Show your Hall of Fame hard card and receive buy-one-get-one-free admission.
The following organizations have free admission:
McColl Center for Visual Art
721 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 2802
The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film
345 N. College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cultural event celebrating NASCAR culture
Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte
650 East Stonewall Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Presents HEAVEN ON WHEELS -- a stock car racing tribute musical running May 6-29.
Opening ceremonies begin at 9:00am.et with all the pomp and circumstance expected of a national tourist attraction. The one-hour ceremony will culminate with NASCAR celebrities, elected officials and other dignitaries officially opening the 150,000-square-foot 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 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.

NASCAR Hall of Fame opens Tuesday: The NASCAR Hall of Fame opens Tuesday, and the 150,000-square-foot facility should have no problem attracting people during the first year. With a theater on the bottom floor featuring a 12-minute movie about NASCAR and then three floors of interactive exhibits, the Hall of Fame has set a single-day adult ticket price of $19.95. It is selling annual memberships with the hope that people will visit the facility in downtown Charlotte more than once. And that's the challenge-to make people want to come back. The Hall of Fame will hold its grand opening on Tuesday and its first induction ceremony on May 23, when NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., former NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. and drivers Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Junior Johnson will be inducted. Even with four floors, not everything the Hall of Fame has acquired will be on display when the doors open Tuesday. The number of interactive displays is enough to keep fans occupied for the full eight hours the facility is open (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday). Among things visitors can do: watch videos about 20 of the greatest finishes in NASCAR history; rev an engine dyno; ride in a racing simulator (for an extra $5); and play trivia games. Customers can use a card that collects information from activities during their visit to track their progress throughout their visit. There is a separate room just for kids and an area that goes through the entire mechanics of a car and how it is built. Another area describes how technical inspection is done (including video screens where patrons can decide which pieces are legal and illegal). On one floor, artifacts of the sport are arranged by decade and another area that highlights families and other historical moments. The exhibits in the induction area won't be open until the induction ceremony May 23. It includes cars raced by Petty, Johnson and Earnhardt. Each inductee will have a spire in the center of the room with their likeness and a video describing their accomplishments. At the bottom will be another likeness of the person where kids create an image to take home with them. The spires of the current class will be in the center, while the rest will line the outside of the room, which is shaped in an oval.(Sporting News), SPEED will have coverage from the NASCAR Hall of Fame grand opening on Tuesday from 9:00am - 12:00pm/et.(5-11-2010)

Hall of Fame looking for more sponsorship: When customers enter the $200 million NASCAR Hall of Fame for the first time this week, they'll find the sparkling showplace surprisingly free of sponsor clutter. That's not by design. The three-story, 150,000-square-foot facility, which opens Tuesday in downtown Charlotte, has finalized four sponsorships with Lowe's, Mars (M&M's), Food Lion and the NASCAR Performance Group. NASCAR will be showcasing many of its aftermarket partners, including 3M, Goodyear, Mobil 1, O'Reilly Auto Parts and others. Those companies will be on display when the Hall of Fame opens, and their deals range from $200,000 to $700,000 annually and go from three to five years in length. NASCAR receives a 10 percent cut on sponsorship sales and between 7.5 percent and 10 percent on other revenue from admissions, retail sales and tours. Five other sponsorship deals are in the works and are expected to close soon, although the identity of the new sponsors has not been disclosed by the Hall and those companies are not yet on display. The nine deals in total represent $4 million in sponsorship revenue, which will be used to pay back $20 million in loans from its banking partners in Charlotte, Bank of America and Wells Fargo (formerly Wachovia), over the next 10 years. Interest will accrue over time. Overall construction costs are covered by an arrangement with the city that includes loans from the banks, hotel/motel taxes and private funds. The facility's inventory, which includes Heritage Speedway, High Octane Theater, Glory Road, the Great Hall and the iRacing simulator, sure to be one of the most visited attractions within the facility, has been on the market for more than two years. The recession has hampered sales efforts, said Zak Brown, CEO of Just Marketing International, the Indianapolis-based sales agent for the Hall. Hall officials are standing by their projections of 800,000 visitors in its first year. Ticket prices range from $12.95 to $19.95.(Scene Daily)(5-11-2010)

Johnson Adds Personal Touch to NASCAR Hall of Fame: the NASCAR Hall of Fame announced four prominent historic items to be on display at the 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction – Jimmie Johnson’s four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Trophies. The reigning four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion has loaned his four personal trophies to the venue for six months. "The NASCAR Hall of Fame is going to have so many cool things, showing the history of our sport. I was definitely humbled that they asked for something of mine to display,” said Johnson. “It’s an honor for me and the whole 48 Lowe’s team. I hope fans appreciate seeing the trophies up close. I know how special they are to me, and I’ve certainly enjoyed seeing them the past four years.”
While the NASCAR Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR, a current item such as Johnson’s trophies recognizes the importance of history in the making. Eight years ago today, Johnson captured his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win on April 28, 2002 at California Speedway, and since then, he has earned a spot in the record books as the only driver to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championships (2006-2009).
“To showcase all four of Jimmie’s personal trophies emphasizes the importance of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the veterans of the sport and the history-makers of today,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “These trophies represent his back-to-back championships and are iconic to this new era of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing. We are honored to show these to the public. We initially requested Jimmie’s 2009 championship trophy to display, and Jimmie graciously offered to loan us all four. Of course we were thrilled. His offer really illustrates how supportive the sport has been of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We sincerely appreciate Jimmie and all the other members of the NASCAR community for their generosity and support.”
The NASCAR Hall of Fame opens to the public May 11 at 10:00am/et. The opening ceremony for the high-tech, interactive attraction begins at 9:00am/et. 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 10:00am/et through the late evening. Activities will include NASCAR celebrities, question-and-answer sessions, strolling entertainment, food vendors, and free concerts by country music artists Lee Brice, Bomshel and Love And Theft. For schedule of events for the grand opening, ticket info and more, see nascarhall.com.(NASCAR Hall of Fame)(5-4-2010)

Generations of NASCAR Luminaries to Attend Grand Opening: NASCAR Hall of Fame officials 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 11:59pm/et 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.
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.
The one-hour Opening Ceremony will begin promptly at 9:00am/et 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 10:00am-8:00pm/et. 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. For schedule of events for the grand opening, see nascarhall.com.(NASCAR Hall of Fame)(5-3-2010)

Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tickets on Sale: Tickets for the Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony go on sale at 10 a.m. EDT April 24 through Ticketmaster. The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT May 23 in the Charlotte Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte, N.C. The prestigious ceremony will feature presentations about each inductee from prominent members of the NASCAR community. The highlight of the event will be the official induction of the Inaugural Class of 2010: Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Jr., Bill France Sr., Junior Johnson and Richard Petty. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it is our pleasure to invite race fans to Charlotte to share in the special day,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “This is like being at the first Induction Ceremony of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939 when legends like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb were officially inducted. Only 3,100 people will have the chance to say they witnessed the first NASCAR Hall of Fame induction in person.”
The five inaugural inductees were selected by a voting panel consisting of 50 members representing NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, major racetrack ownership groups, retired drivers, owners and crew chiefs along with motorsports media representatives. The group met in a closed session in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 14, 2009 to vote on the induction class of 2010. The class was determined by the 51 votes cast by the panel and the nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com. More than 670,000 votes were submitted online at NASCAR.com as part of the fan voting process.
Guests should enter the event through the Caldwell Street entrance to the Charlotte Convention Center. The doors to the Crown Ballroom open at 11:30 a.m., and all guests must be seated by 12:45 p.m. Guests are encouraged to use the Charlotte Area Transit System. Limited parking will be available in the NASCAR Hall of Fame Parking Deck off Brevard Street. Exhibits highlighting the life and career of each inductee will be unveiled following the ceremony in the Hall of Honor inside the new NASCAR Hall of Fame. Tickets to enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which opens May 11, are separate from Induction Ceremony tickets and can be purchased by calling 877-231-2010 or at www.NASCARHall.com. NASCAR Hall of Fame 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. Charter memberships also are available starting at $25 for children and $50 for adults.
SPEED is the exclusive television home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and will offer a full slate of programming leading up to live coverage of the induction ceremony.
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.(4-23-2010)

Schedule Begins to Take Shape for NASCAR Hall of Fame Grand Opening: NASCAR Hall of Fame officials 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. 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.
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.
(NASCAR Hall of Fame PR)(4-13-2010)

NASCAR Hall of Fame 50-Day Countdown Recap – Week 2 : 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.
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.
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.
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.
April 4 - 37 days until opening - Richie Evans #61 Modified The familiar orange #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 #61 Modified is one of 18 historic cars showcased on Glory Road. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.(4-6-2010)

NASCAR Hall of Fame Kicks off Final 50 Days: 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 Monday, March 22nd 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.
The first item announced in the 50-day countdown was revealed Monday in a news conference at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip unveiled his championship-winning #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 #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, 2010 at 10:00am/et. The opening ceremony for the high-tech, interactive attraction begins at 9:00am/et. 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:am/et through the late evening.(3-23-2010)

Junior Johnson’s Moonshine Still headed to the NASCAR Hall of Fame: Inaugural Inductee Junior Johnson revealed 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. 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.
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.(NHOF)(3-4-2010)

NASCAR Hall of Fame adds staff: The NASCAR Hall of Fame recently added eight employees for the 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction set to open May 11, 2010 in Charlotte, N.C. "We are less than 100 days away from our opening, and building the right team truly is one of the most important factors in ensuring an exceptional and meaningful guest experience," Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame said. "We are fortunate to have had an overwhelming number of talented people interested in working at this world-class venue. Each team member was selected from several hundred applications per position. The competitive nature has allowed us to assemble a talented team of professionals who bring extensive experience from all types of family entertainment." The additions to the external relations and education department are: Imani Clenance, intern; Joelle Lapsley, administrative assistant; and Natividad Lewis, external relations specialist. All report directly to external relations manager Kimberly Meesters. The additions to the operations department are: Cathy Buchhofer, assistant operations manager; Chris Manley, A/V technical supervisor; and Jonathan Mitchell, box office manager. All report directly to operations manager Steve Burrell. Also, Seth Denton joined the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority as the NASCAR Hall of Fame business manager. He works closely with the NASCAR Hall of Fame operations department and reports to Steve Bagwell, CPA, director of management reporting for the CRVA. The additions to the sales and marketing department are: Matt Aldrich, membership sales manager; and Angela Basso, group sales manager. Both report directly to sales and marketing manager Leslie Horne.(NASCAR Hall of Fame PR)(2-8-2010)

SPEED named exclusive TV home of NASCAR HoF: SPEED and NASCAR have reached a multiyear agreement naming SPEED as the official television home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. As part of the deal, SPEED will continue to offer live coverage of special events leading up to the annual induction ceremonies, including nomination and voting days for each Hall class. As part of the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame opening on May 11, which SPEED will televise live, the network also will offer a special “walking tour” broadcast from the striking new Charlotte, N.C., facility just before it opens to the public, as well as extensive pre-event programming. Beginning in April, SPEED also will produce and air one-hour documentaries on each incoming NASCAR Hall of Fame class member. For more information on NHOF events, please visit www.NASCARHall.com.(SPEED)(1-24-2010)

Some Hall of Fame artifacts unveiled: Tuesday night's media tour included a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which is still under construction. Winston Kelley, executive director of the hall, and historian Buz McKim talked about some of the artifacts that will be included when the hall is opened May 11 for grand opening ceremonies and May 23 for the first class of inductees. The hall will have a "Greatest Finishes Theater" that will include Ricky Craven's #32 Tide Pontiac that won a thrilling duel with Kurt Busch in 2003 at Darlington Raceway. Kelley said it was the first artifact that was offered to the hall. "It was the last Pontiac to win in the sport, and it carries some history as the closest finish in the existence of the sport," Craven said.
McKim said he went on a "scavenger hunt" for many other artifacts, including an information sheet Dale Earnhardt filled out in 1975. Drivers filled out information sheets at the beginning of each season, and McKim found the sheet Earnhardt filled out in February 1975 that included several interesting tidbits of information. For one, Earnhardt listed himself as a wrestler in high school and his favorite drivers as Richard Petty and Bobby Isaac. "There was a line there that said, 'Ambition other than racing,' and he wrote, 'None!'" McKim said.
Another artifact that will be displayed in the hall comes from Richard Petty's "accumulation" of things over his many years in NASCAR. It's the 1967 Plymouth that Petty campaigned when he won 27 of 48 races that year, including 10 wins in a row - a record that still stands.
McKim said about 98 percent of artifacts the hall wanted to get, he was able to obtain. But there is one artifact that McKim truly wants, an item he calls the "holy grail." "It's something I've only heard about and never seen," McKim said. It's a gold membership card given to pioneering mechanic Red Vogt from Bill France Sr. in 1954. Vogt was proclaimed NASCAR member No. 1, and all fees and dues Vogt had paid to NASCAR before that time were returned to him. (Sprint Media Tour Notes)(1-21-2010)

NASCAR Announces inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame: NASCAR announced the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame today [Wednesday, October 14, 2009] that includes: Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Junior Johnson and Richard Petty. The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, consisting of members of the Nominating Committee along with 29 others representing NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, major race track ownership groups, retired drivers, owners and crew chiefs along with motorsports media representatives, met in a closed session in Charlotte, N.C. to vote on the induction class of 2010.
The class was determined by the 51 votes cast by the panel and the nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.COM. The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes. The Class of 2010 will be officially inducted in a ceremony on May 23, 2010 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. The results of the voting for the final five chosen in this inaugural class proved competitive. Also receiving votes were David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison.
As part of the inclusive voting process, more than 670,000 NASCAR fans submitted votes online at NASCAR.COM as part of the fan voting process. This remarkable fan feedback once again demonstrates fans’ passion and knowledge of the sport and its heritage. The fans voted Petty, Earnhardt, Bill France Sr., Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison as their top five.
The nominees included many of the sport’s legendary names: Bobby Allison, Buck Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Dale Earnhardt, Richie Evans, Tim Flock, Bill France Jr., Bill France Sr., Rick Hendrick, Ned Jarrett, Junior Johnson, Bud Moore, Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, David Pearson, Lee Petty, Richard Petty, Fireball Roberts, 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 will open May 11, 2010. The facility honors the history and heritage of NASCAR and the many who have contributed to the success of NASCAR.
Highlighting the Class of 2010:
Dale Earnhardt
Earnhardt co-holds the record for most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships (seven) with Richard Petty. In only his second full season, 1980, Earnhardt nabbed his first championship. He won consecutive titles on three separate occasions (1986-87, ’90-91 and ’93-94). Earnhardt’s 76 victories rank seventh all-time. He is the all-time leader in race victories at Daytona International Speedway with 34, though the most prominent of them was a while in the making. In 1998, Earnhardt won his most coveted race – the Daytona 500. The scene was a memorable one, forever etched in the minds of race fans. As Earnhardt’s black #3 rolled down pit road, a Daytona 500 winner at last, every crew member from every team lined up to congratulate one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.
Bill France Sr.
Called “Big Bill,” only partly because of his 6-foot-5 stature, France spearheaded NASCAR from its beginning and directed it to its present status as the world’s largest stock-car racing organization. In 1936, he helped lay out the first beach/road course in Daytona Beach; in the first race on the course he finished fifth. Starting in 1938, he helped promote races on the sands of Daytona Beach. In 1947, France became the driving force behind the establishment of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. NASCAR, it was called, resulting from a famous meeting at the Streamline Hotel on State Road A1A in Daytona Beach – a structure that stands to this day, as a racing landmark. “Big Bill” France passed away in June 1992. He left behind a lasting legacy.
Bill France Jr.
William Clifton France is remembered – and revered – as the man who followed his visionary father at NASCAR’s helm, in the process becoming a visionary himself, as he guided NASCAR to unprecedented levels of popularity. France became NASCAR’s president in January 1972, replacing his father and becoming only the second president of the world’s largest auto racing sanctioning body. His emergence coincided with the sport’s emergence, and its eventual ascent to become America’s No. 1 form of motorsports and the nation’s second-most popular sport overall. France, often referred to as “Bill Jr.,” remained president until November 2000. At that time, France announced the formation of a NASCAR Board of Directors on which he served as chairman and CEO until October 2003 when he was replaced by his son, Brian Z. France. After that, he continued to serve the sport for the remainder of his life as NASCAR Vice Chairman.
Junior Johnson
Robert Glenn “Junior” Johnson is unique in NASCAR history, with tremendous success both as a driver and a car owner. Johnson won the second annual Daytona 500 in 1960 and in the process, became credited with the discovery of “drafting” on the massive superspeedways. He won 50 races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series then surprised many people by retiring from driving to become an owner. As an owner, Johnson never missed a beat; through the years, his drivers won 132 races. There also were six series championships produced with Cale Yarborough (1976-78) and Darrell Waltrip (1981-82, ’85). Named one of NASCAR’s “50 Greatest Drivers” in 1998, Johnson resides in Wilkesboro, N.C., and remains one of the sport’s most enduring – and endearing – personalities, at the age of 78.
Richard Petty
Known as “the King”, Richard Petty’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series records are staggering: Most wins (200), most poles (123), tied for most championships (seven), most wins in a season (27), most Daytona 500 wins (seven), most consecutive wins (10) and most starts (1,185). Petty’s success continued even after his retirement from driving in 1992. He would still hold the top spot in the family business – Petty Enterprises, and now, Richard Petty Motorsports. In all, Petty Enterprises totaled 268 victories.(NASCAR)(10-14-2009)

2010 NASCAR Hall of Fame page: with bios and links:
The 2010 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class page.

NASCAR Hall of Fame ticket and membership details:
On sale Date: 9:00am/et Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009
How to Purchase:
By Phone: 877-231-2010
Online: www.nascarhall.com
On-site: Box office will open in the spring of 2010.
Types of Tickets:
General Admission: Adult, Senior, Military, Children
Charter Memberships: Six levels detailed below
Group packages: For groups of 15 or more; discounted rates available depending on type and size of groups.
*The NASCAR Hall of Fame is a timed-entry facility; guests must select the date and time of their visit when purchasing a ticket.
Parking Discounts:
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Parking Deck (Brevard Street entrance) will offer a 25% parking discount with the purchase of a NASCAR Hall of Fame ticket. This offer is subject to parking availability.
General Admission Prices:
Adult $19.95
Seniors (60 and up) $17.95
Military $17.95
Ages 5 – 12 $12.95
Under 5 Free
Tickets purchased online or via phone will be discounted $1 per ticket.
Charter Memberships:
Rookie Racer (ages 5 - 12) - $25
Crew Chief (Individual Membership) - $50
Pit Crew Family Pack (Family Membership) - $150
Winner’s Membership - $250
Champion’s Membership - $500
Legend’s Membership - $1,000
More info at www.nascarhall.com.(10-8-2009)

Hall of Fame Inductees Announcement Wednesday: This Wednesday will be a day to remember in NASCAR history as the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be announced. The voting panel will meet early that day and begin their deliberations of the 25 nominees. At 4:00pm/et, the votes will have been tabulated by an accounting firm and NASCAR Chairman Brian France will announce the five names live on SPEED TV. Then next May, NASCAR will hold its first-ever enshrinement.(Fox Sports)
AND: ESPNEWS will have live coverage on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m. ET as the first five inductees into the new NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., are announced. NASCAR Chairman Brian France will reveal the names of the first five in a news conference at the Charlotte Convention Center adjacent to the site of the under-construction Hall of Fame. NASCAR Now host Mike Massaro will host the telecast with ESPN NASCAR analyst Brad Daugherty. Following the news conference, more reports and analysis of the announcement will air on NASCAR Now at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.(ESPN PR)
For the complete list of nominees, see my NASCAR Hall of Fame page.(10-13-2009)

NASCAR Hall of Fame releases opening details: NASCAR Hall of Fame officials announced many of the highly anticipated details regarding visits to the new 150,000-square foot interactive, entertainment attraction under construction in uptown Charlotte, N.C., including ticket information, charter memberships, a national sweepstakes, operating hours and the date for the inaugural Induction Ceremony. Tickets and charter memberships for May 11, 2010 and beyond go on sale at 9 a.m. EDT Oct. 14, coinciding with the historic voting day to determine the first class of inductees in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. That illustrious first class will be formally inducted in a ceremony at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 23, 2010. Ticket prices are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for military and seniors (60+), $12.95 for children 5 - 12 and free for children under 5. The on-site box office is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010. In the meantime, tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 877-231-2010 or www.nascarhall.com. Customers who purchase through Ticketmaster will receive a $1 per ticket discount. In addition to individual tickets, six levels of charter memberships are available. Members will receive a host of benefits, and if their membership is purchased by May 10, 2011, they also will receive a charter designation and commemorative items to mark their unique status as a first-year member. The NASCAR Hall of Fame will operate on a timed-entry system; guests must select a specific day and time for their visit at the time of purchase. Beginning May 11, 2010, the venue will operate seven days a week with base hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. It will be closed on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours may be extended during summers, race weeks and prominent Uptown Charlotte events.(NASCAR Hall of Fame PR)(10-7-2009)

Inaugural NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class to be Announced October 14: NASCAR announced that “Voting Day” for the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be Oct. 14 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, consisting of members of the Nominating Committee along with 29 others representing NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, major race track ownership groups, retired drivers, owners and crew chiefs along with motorsports media representatives, will meet in a closed session to deliberate and vote on the 25 candidates eligible for this first class. The vote will be followed by a press conference announcing the inaugural class of 2010. The class will be chosen from the 51 votes cast by the panel and the nationwide fan vote – which ends Sept. 27 – conducted through NASCAR.COM. The accounting firm of Ernst & Young will preside over the tabulation of the votes. The hall’s inaugural class will consist of five members and are scheduled to be enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in May 2010.(NASCAR), more infomation about the NASCAR Hall Of Fame on my NASCAR Hall of Fame page.(9-15-2009)