When NASCAR artist Sam Bass packs a guitar in his truck and heads to Nashville this week, he’ll be following in the well-worn tire tracks of country music hopefuls like Travis Tritt, Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson. Unlike the now-famous performers who early on quit their day jobs and gambled everything in their bids to be discovered, Bass is simply dropping off a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar he designed as a trophy for the Nashville Superspeedway’s Pepsi 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on April 12. The guitar, a beautiful Classic model six-string, depicts the excitement of a stock car running at full song with the gleaming skyline of Music City USA in the background. It is the first in a series of four Bass will design for the Nashville Superspeedway’s 2003 race season. “Sam Bass and Gibson Guitar have partnered to create the most unique and possibly one of the most coveted trophies in NASCAR,” said Cliff Hawks, vice president and general manager of the Nashville Superspeedway. “It quickly became a tradition that everyone in racing now recognizes.” “Sam loves racing and he loves guitars, and no one brings them together like he does,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “With his Nashville Superspeedway guitar, he’s captured all the excitement of Nashville, NASCAR and Gibson and created a sports trophy like no other.” The artist was as enthusiastic for creating the project, as the eventual race winners will be to receive them. “There was a time several years ago when I would gladly have taken my love of music to the professional level,” said Bass, “but it would have meant giving up on my art career. “Being asked to create guitar designs for Gibson and Nashville Superspeedway gives me an excuse to combine my two strongest interests in life.” Bass’ association with Gibson’s line of guitars has also produced instruments commemorating Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and, most recently, Richard Petty. To learn more about Sam Bass’ motorsports art and his NASCAR guitar collection, log on to www.sambass.com or phone (704) 455-6915.(Sam Bass PR)(4-9-2003)
