NASCAR’s $195 million showplace, the NASCAR Hall of Fame was opened to public in Charlotte, Tuesday, amongst some the most famous people in the 61-year old stock car racing series.
As former Cup Champion, Kurt Busch said “it puts us on the map with other professional sports in having a Hall of Fame.”
From its’ roots in the back roads of the United States’ South to some of the hi-tech ovals of today, everything from the ground up is represented in a five-acre site with 195,000 square feet of exhibition area. The Hall contains interactive opportunities, simulators and well over 100 video screens.
In its’ infancy in the “mountains,” of North Carolina purveyors of home brewed whiskey, called moonshine by its distillers, challenged Federal police in souped up stock cars. Eventually, they began to race each other on closed tracks thus giving birth to their “sport.”
The most stunning attribute to visitors is “Glory Road,” a depiction of the evolution of the stock car on a winding, banked, road, representing all tracks culminating with the 36 degrees of banking of Talladega Super Speedway.
Junior Johnson, one of the five inaugural inductees, was convicted of producing the illegal liquor and sent to prison in 1955 After his release, by pardon, he won 50 races as a driver. He went on to win 139 times as an owner, holding second place in all-time wins. One of the Hall’s artifacts is his 1986 pardon by (and photograph with) then President Ronald Reagan.
"This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me," Junior Johnson said of being part of the first induction class. Another artifact is a moonshine still he created just for the Hall of Fame.
Today’s dominant NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, who was involved with the City of Charlotte becoming the venue for the Hall of Fame was another speaker.
"I think a fan walks away knowing we care about our past and our history. To me, that's what's important — that our history, our roots and our heritage is important. It's not all just about today."
The inaugural induction ceremony, May 23, includes NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., longtime chairman Bill France Jr., seven-time champions Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, and Johnson.
As former Cup Champion, Kurt Busch said “it puts us on the map with other professional sports in having a Hall of Fame.”
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| Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images/NASCAR Hall of Fame |
From its’ roots in the back roads of the United States’ South to some of the hi-tech ovals of today, everything from the ground up is represented in a five-acre site with 195,000 square feet of exhibition area. The Hall contains interactive opportunities, simulators and well over 100 video screens.
In its’ infancy in the “mountains,” of North Carolina purveyors of home brewed whiskey, called moonshine by its distillers, challenged Federal police in souped up stock cars. Eventually, they began to race each other on closed tracks thus giving birth to their “sport.”
 |
| Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images/NASCAR Hall of Fame |
The most stunning attribute to visitors is “Glory Road,” a depiction of the evolution of the stock car on a winding, banked, road, representing all tracks culminating with the 36 degrees of banking of Talladega Super Speedway.
Junior Johnson, one of the five inaugural inductees, was convicted of producing the illegal liquor and sent to prison in 1955 After his release, by pardon, he won 50 races as a driver. He went on to win 139 times as an owner, holding second place in all-time wins. One of the Hall’s artifacts is his 1986 pardon by (and photograph with) then President Ronald Reagan.
"This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me," Junior Johnson said of being part of the first induction class. Another artifact is a moonshine still he created just for the Hall of Fame.
 |
| Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images/NASCAR Hall of Fame |
Today’s dominant NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, who was involved with the City of Charlotte becoming the venue for the Hall of Fame was another speaker.
"I think a fan walks away knowing we care about our past and our history. To me, that's what's important — that our history, our roots and our heritage is important. It's not all just about today."
The inaugural induction ceremony, May 23, includes NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., longtime chairman Bill France Jr., seven-time champions Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, and Johnson.