Driver Portraits at Talladega: A rare treat will be awaiting the NASCAR Winston Cup Series stars when they return to Talladega Superspeedway for the EA Sports 500 Weekend, Oct. 3-6, 2002. Alabama artist Kevin Criswell (www.kevincriswell.com) has taken on the improbable task of drawing each driver attempting to qualify for the EA SPORTS 500. Once the team haulers arrive inside the Winston Cup garage on Friday, Oct. 4, each team will be presented a signed portrait of their driver, framed and matted and ready for display throughout the weekend. “This is a unique way for Talladega Superspeedway to say thank you to the world’s greatest drivers and to let them know we appreciate the wonderful show they put on for our fans year after year,” said Grant Lynch, the track’s president. “Kevin has a passion and a talent that is instantly recognizable. He donated several of his drawings for the Race Fever Night auction in April and we began discussing this possibility then.” Criswell, who lives in Centre, Ala., was diagnosed with a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis in the mid-1990s and was forced to leave his job. He uses his artistic abilities to strengthen his spirits and help his fingers from becoming stiffer. Because of the painful bouts with arthritis, Criswell is not able to draw as much as he would like. Criswell’s passion for drawing NASCAR’s brand of racing and its stars quickly erased any doubts this task could be achieved. The biggest obstacle in this challenge is time. But Criswell is ahead of schedule. Not only has he drawn all of the regular Winston Cup drivers, he’s kept up with driver changes and late entries, too. He has already sketched Kenny Wallace in the 1-800-CALLATT Chevrolet and Kerry Earnhardt with the RacingUSA.com Chevrolet. Criswell has already presented some of his works to drivers, including Rusty Wallace. Kevin Criswell and his wife, Debbie, have been married 21 years and have two daughters, Kirsten and Madison.(Talladega PR)(9-19-2002)
