Wednesday, January 11, 2012

NASCAR fans can meet, greet Hall of Famers

Ever met a NASCAR Hall of Famer? Your chance is coming ... next weekend.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees will meet with small groups before guided tours of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan. 21, as part of NASCAR Acceleration Weekend -- which kicks off the night before with the official induction ceremony for the Class of 2012.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for someone to speak directly with the legends of our sport," said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "They can talk about the moonshine days with Junior Johnson, ask Bobby Allison about the famous 1979 Daytona 500, debate the 1989 Winston finish with Darrell Waltrip, discover why the name Gentleman Ned is so applicable, ask Bud Moore about D-Day, or experience that famous Richard Petty smile in person."

Each group will be limited to the first 30 people in line at the Main Stage in the Exhibit Hall at the Charlotte Convention Center. Entry is free with a NASCAR Hall of Fame and NASCAR Preview 2012 ticket. After a brief on-stage interview, the inductee will guide the group on a walk through the Convention Center to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Once the meet-and-greet concludes, the group will be given a guided tour of the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The meet-and-greet and tour schedule -- subject to change -- is:

  • 10 a.m. Junior Johnson, Class of 2010
  • 11 a.m. Ned Jarrett, Class of 2011
  • Noon Richard Petty, Class of 2010
  • 1 p.m. Tours will not be given at 1 p.m. due to a DuPont news conference with Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty. Guests are invited to watch the news conference live in the Great Hall inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
  • 2 p.m. Bud Moore, Class of 2011
  • 3 p.m. Bobby Allison, Class of 2011
  • 4 p.m. Darrell Waltrip, Class of 2012
NASCAR Acceleration Weekend is highlighted by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2012 inductees -- Richie Evans, Dale Inman, Darrell Waltrip, Glen Wood and Cale Yarborough -- on Friday, Jan. 20. On Saturday, Jan. 21, NASCAR Preview 2012 will offer "a festival-like experience for fans that features driver autograph and question-and-answer sessions, show car appearances, simulators, games and more." The weekend activities will conclude with the unveiling of the Class of 2012 Inductee Tribute exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Combo tickets for NASCAR Hall of Fame and NASCAR Preview 2012 start at $20. NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony tickets start at $40 and include Hall admission. For more information or to purchase tickets: www.nascaracceleration2012.com or 1-800-745-3000.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

NASCAR is trying anything to boost the HOF attendance. As a former NASCAR fan, I view the HOF as a complete joke and would not waste my time if admission was free.

Anonymous said...

Bah hum-bug to the above comment.
You must be a table tennis fan...

David said...

A pretty good idea, especially if it were to be, on any given day without advance notice. A HOF Member or several members would be there to run "small" groups through the Museum.

At least the HOF is trying to attract new business.

But it's still about location, location, location.

Build the HOF on the grounds of Darlington, Daytona or Charlotte and watch the attendance soar. Especially the first two tracks.

Why not? Let the HOF Members run the HOF?

Anonymous said...

Hey Winston...still walking around the place with your nose in the air? Still treating the "Crew Members" with disrespect? Still have an overpaid assistant that does nothing? Still have your full time staff playing on the simulators all day? Man you have it made.
KT

Anonymous said...

Winston, hope you saved your money. The ride is over. The money is drying up at tracks, shops, sponsors........almost as fast as it dried up at the Hall of Fame.

Dude said...

Wow what a bunch of losers here posting about the HOF. Its here so STFU about it and move on, either support it or move on, you don't like supporting it move on...Get the picture? Please MOVE ON!