NASCAR Hall of Fame News

Updated: 2010

Thursday, July 1, 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)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

NASCAR to announce HoF 2011 nominees: 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)

Monday, May 24, 2010

David Pearson wants to see Raymond Parks enshrined into NASCAR HoF: After all the controversy surrounding David Pearson's exclusion from NASCAR's inagural Hall of Fame class, the "Silver Fox" is actually willing to wait his turn to be inducted. And if it comes before others whom Pearson deems worthy of selection, he said Sunday he'd take himself out of consideration. "I feel like if I was going in next year and I knew Raymond Parks wasn't, I'd withdraw my name to get him in," Pearson said of Parks, owner of the car Red Byron drove to NASCAR's first championship. "He really needs to be in there. He needs to be the next main one to get in there." Parks, who turns 96 next month, attended Thursday night's Hall of Fame gala with his family. Confined to a wheelchair, the top-hat clad Parks silently nodded to all his well-wishers. (ESPN.com)

NASCAR enshrines first class ever: An outpouring of strong emotions accompanied Sunday's induction of five legends of stock-car racing into the newly opened NASCAR Hall of Fame. Suspense wasn't one of those emotions. The inaugural class had been well-known and well-publicized -- and deservedly so. Included were NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., lauded for his vision of turning unregulated beach racing into America's premiere motorsports series; NASCAR's second president and CEO, Bill France Jr., remembered as tough taskmaster who poured his soul into NASCAR; seven-time Cup champions Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt; and 50-time race winner Junior Johnson, who also claimed six Cup titles as a car owner and was celebrated as the symbol of the sport's roots. (NASCAR.com)

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

NASCAR Hall of Fame Concludes First Week: 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)

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

NASCAR Hall of Fame opens: NASCAR opened its new Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday with Richard Petty and Junior Johnson driving race cars onto its ceremonial plaza. The two inaugural inductees roared up to the gates of the $195 million facility, and after making a few remarks, threw open the doors of the facility amid fireworks and rain, NASCAR.com reported. The Web site said Petty drove a 1970s-era, STP-sponsored No. 43 race car and Johnson was aboard a replica of a 1949 Ford coupe. After getting his first look at the facility, Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing and member of the NFL Hall of Fame, said the NASCAR Hall stands up to comparisons with the gridiron memorial in Canton, Ohio. "This is the kind of thing that kind of brings sports alive," Gibbs told NASCAR.com, adding, "I think we did really need to have this. I think a lot of the artifacts that were collected are important, and I think the real beneficiaries are the fans." (UPI.com) Photos: From Yahoo! Sports

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Jimmie Johnson loans personal trophies to 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)

Friday, April 23, 2010

Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony tickets to go on sale tomorrow: Tickets for the Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony go on sale at 10:00am/et April 24 through Ticketmaster. The event is scheduled for 1:00pm/et 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."(NHOF PR)

Tueday, April 6, 2010

NASCAR HoF begins 50-day countdown to opening: 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 No. 61 Modified The familiar orange No. 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 No. 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. (PR)

Thursday, March 4, 2010

NASCAR Automotive joins Hall of Fame as a sponsor: The NASCAR Automotive Group has committed to a multi-year agreement to sponsor the NASCAR Hall of Fame on behalf of its exclusive NASCAR Performance automotive partners. Through this sponsorship agreement, NASCAR Performance will integrate its family of automotive brands into an interactive exhibit area in the Race Week section of the Hall of Fame. The NASCAR Performance Race Shop is designed to give visitors an overview of a modern-day race-team shop and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes for teams and their automotive engineers and technicians to prepare a car for the upcoming race weekend. (NASCAR.com PR)

Johnson's moonshine still is going into NASCAR HoF: 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. More info on my NASCAR Hall of Fame page.(NHOF)

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

NASCAR announces the inaugural Hall of Fame class: NASCAR announced the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame today 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 (NASCAR PR)

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

NASCAR announces Hall of Fame 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)

Monday, Sept. 14, 2009

NASCAR to announce inaugural Hall of Fame class Oct. 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)

Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

Buffalo Wild Wings, NASCAR Hall of Fame Announce Partnership: The NASCAR Hall of Fame and Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. announced today that Buffalo Wild Wings will be the exclusive restaurant partner for the new NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. Buffalo Wild Wings, a national sports-themed restaurant company best known for its award winning chicken wings spun in one of its 14 different sauces, will open the 8,400-square-foot restaurant in the Spring of 2010. The 10-year agreement has multiple renewal options. (PR)

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Nominees Announced For NASCAR's Inaugural Hall of Fame Class: NASCAR announced a history-rich list of 25 nominees for the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame induction class. From that list, five inductees will be chosen via a process that includes a nationwide fan vote on NASCAR.COM; the inductees will be announced in October and honored next May at the new Hall of Fame facility in Charlotte, N.C. The nominees, which include 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 HOF's first inductees will be determined by the Voting Panel, which has 50 members -- the entire Nominating Committee, 14 media members, four manufacturer representatives and nine retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs -- three each) and two recognized industry leaders. In addition, the fan vote will result in the Voting Panel's 51st and final ballot. Following are the 25 individuals who have been nominated:

• Bobby Allison, 1983 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and winner of 84 races
• Buck Baker, the 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
• Dale Earnhardt, won record seven NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
• Richie Evans, nine-time NASCAR Modified champion
• Tim Flock, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
• Bill France Jr., NASCAR president, chairman and CEO (1972-2003)
• Bill France Sr., NASCAR founder and first president (1948-1972)
• Rick Hendrick, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
• Ned Jarrett, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
• Junior Johnson, 50 wins as a driver, 132 wins and six championships as an owner
• 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 the first Daytona 500 and first three-time series champion
• Richard Petty, 200 wins and seven NASCAR Sprint Cup titles -- both records
• Fireball Roberts, won 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 1962 Daytona 500
• Herb Thomas, first two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, 1951 and '53
• Curtis Turner, first to win Daytona 500, Southern 500, Coca-Cola 600 in same year
• 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 PR)

Monday, June 29, 2009

NASCAR to make announcement on Inaugural Nominees for NASCAR Hall Of Fame: The NASCAR Hall of Fame’sinaugural class will take a significant step towards realization Thursday night when the first 25 nominees will be revealed. The announcement will take place during an hour-long special on SPEED at 8:00pm/et that will be hosted by long-time NASCAR broadcaster Ken Squier. The Hall of Fame Voting Panel, which includes a fan-vote element, will then choose the first class of inductees – five NASCAR greats who will be honored next May at the new NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. The elite 25 names were determined by a 21-person Nominating Committee that consists of officials from both NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, plus owners/operators of major speedways and historic short tracks. The list represents many who helped build the sport, including drivers, owners and promoters.(NASCAR)

Friday, June 19, 2009

NASCAR Hall of Fame opening date announced: The NASCAR Hall of Fame announced May 11, 2010 as the official grand opening date for the state-of-the-art facility under construction in Charlotte, N.C. “This is a very exciting time in the development of the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said Winston Kelley, Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “We’re less than a year away from opening the doors that will give visitors an unparalleled experience of the energy, excitement, technology and incredible history of NASCAR – a sport that is so closely tied to our city, our region and our rich heritage in racing.” As part of the announcement, the NASCAR Hall of Fame unveiled three new artifacts that will be featured in the facility when it opens next year. Included among a host of interactive displays, exhibits and artifacts will be the blazer that Ned Jarrett wore while he commentated the 1993 Daytona 500 in which his son, Dale, staved off Dale Earnhardt to claim his first Daytona 500 win. The artifact represents the close family ties within NASCAR, a sport in which fathers, sons, brothers and cousins race with each other, for each other and against each other. To date, the NASCAR Hall of Fame has announced two major artifacts for display in the Hall – the Plymouth Belvedere that Richard Petty drove to 27 wins in 1967, and an epic collection of NASCAR awards and memorabilia donated by Raymond Parks, including the first NASCAR trophy ever awarded a team. Exhibits that will showcase artifacts such as these at the NASCAR Hall of Fame are currently under development. The NASCAR Hall of Fame will launch a comprehensive sales campaign this fall, including ticket and membership sales, and will feature the marketing tagline “Where the race lives on.” The NASCAR Hall of Fame broke ground in Charlotte on January 25, 2007 and will open May 11, 2010. The facility will honor the history and heritage of NASCAR and the many who have contributed to the success of NASCAR. The Hall of Fame will comprise 150,000 square feet, including exhibit space, state-of-the-art theater, a Hall of Honor that will house the commemorations of Hall of Fame inductees, numerous interactive entertainment experiences, a themed restaurant, retail outlet, and a modern media center for the industry. The Hall will be owned by the City of Charlotte and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.(NASCARHall.com)

Thursday, April 30, 2009

NASCAR announces Hall of Fame Nominating committee and Voting panel: NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France has sent letters of invitation to 50 people asking them to serve on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Nominating Committee and/or Voting Panel. The hall’s inaugural class, consisting of five members, is scheduled to be enshrined in May 2010. That class will be selected by the Voting Panel from a list of 25 candidates assembled by a 21-person Nominating Committee. The Voting Panel will consist of the members of the Nominating Committee and 29 others from throughout the NASCAR industry. There also will be one more ballot, decided by a nationwide fan vote, for a total of 51 Voting Panel ballots. Prospective members of the Nominating Committee represent NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, major race track ownership groups and operators of historic short tracks. Voting, to include a fan vote, will be completed by October 2009 with the results announced soon after.(NASCAR PR)

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

NASCAR Hall of Fame: 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; Vice President of Communications Jim Hunter; Competition Administrator Jerry Cook; former Vice President Ken Clapp.

Track Owners/Operators: International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa Kennedy; Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell; Speedway Motorsports Incorporated CEO Bruton Smith; Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark; Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George; Dover Motorsports CEO Denis McGlynn; Pocono Raceway owner Doc Mattioli; Bowman Gray Stadium operator Dale Pinilis; Greenville-Pickens Speedway operator Tom Blackwell; Riverhead Raceway operators Jim and Barbara Cromarty (1 vote); Toyota Speedway at Irwindale operator Jim Williams.

The prospective 29 people slated to join the Nominating Committee members on the Voting Panel follow:

VOTING PANEL
National Motorsports Press Association: Kenny Bruce, NASCAR Scene; Dustin Long, Landmark Newspapers/NMPA President; Mike Harris, Associated Press; Nate Ryan, USA Today; Jim Pedley, RacinToday.com; Duane Cross, NASCAR.com.

Eastern Motorsports Press Association: Ernie Saxton, EMPA President.

American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association: Dusty Brandel, AARWBA President.

Broadcasters: Mike Joy, FOX; Bill Weber, TNT; Jerry Punch, ESPN; Barney Hall, MRN; Doug Rice, PRN; Rick Allen, SPEED.

Manufacturers: Chevrolet – Ed Peper, Vice President/General Manager North America; Ford – Edsel B. Ford II, Board of Directors; Dodge – Mike Accavitti, Director of Dodge Brand Global Marketing, Motorsports; Toyota – Lee White, President/General Manager, Toyota Racing Development USA.

Retired Drivers: Ricky Rudd; Harry Gant; Ned Jarrett.

Retired Car Owners: Bud Moore; Cotton Owens; Junior Johnson.

Retired Crew Chiefs: Barry Dodson; Waddell Wilson; Buddy Parrott.

Industry leaders: Former Lowe’s Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler, former motorsports journalist Tom Higgins.
NASCAR Managing Director of Corporate Communications, Ramsey Poston coordinated many of the details for the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction process. Poston sought the advice and guidance of the late David Poole of the Charlotte Observer and SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Charlotte City Council approves companies to produce NASCAR HoF exhibits: Charlotte City Council unanimously approved  $17.7 million worth of contracts Monday night for four companies to produce exhibits for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The city owns the hall of fame under a licensing agreement with NASCAR, and all contracts must be approved by the council. The total exhibit budget is $31 million. The contracts, which were negotiated by executives in the city manager’s office and the hall, were approved without debate. Kubik Maltbie will be the primary fabricator and installer of all exhibits. Its contract, including $1 million in contingency fees, is $9,991,527. Kubik Maltbie’s original asking price was just over $11 million before negotiations with the city. The firm’s past work includes projects at the Smithsonian Institution and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Electrosonic Inc. will do all of the audio-visual components and provide an on-site technician for one year for $6,652,859, including contingency fees of $500,000. Electrosonic’s original bid was about $6 million but did not include $1 million for a video screen and sound on the building’s exterior. (SceneDaily.com)

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

NASCAR Hall of Fame to feature nearly 1,000 artifacts: The NASCAR Hall of Fame will feature nearly 1,000 artifacts on display, a theater screen that is 65 feet wide and 15 feet high and a video wall with 64 plasma-screen televisions. Visitors will carry a card or wristband that has a computer chip in it that they may use to activate certain interactive parts of the museum, such as the racing simulation area. NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley revealed some of the exhibit plans Monday at a meeting of the Charlotte City Council. The city of Charlotte owns the museum, which is scheduled to open in April or May 2010. The exhibit budget is $31 million. (SceneDaily.com)

NASCAR Hall of Fame to keep exhibits fresh: Charlotte city council members learned more Monday about what contractors are doing to keep the NASCAR Hall of Fame on the cutting edge of racing. Council members questioned contractors in charge of the interactive exhibits in the 40,000 square feet of exhibit space. Four exhibit contractors, including Electrosonic and Kubik-Maltbie, showed sketches of what the space would include. "Things that we're building today will designed to be in place and enjoyed for many, many years," Chuck Maltbie, of Kubik-Maltbie, said. Council members questioned how to keep exhibits fresh and up to speed. "The great hall space, we'll change that out at least twice a year, so people who come to the May race and the October race will see different exhibits," Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, said. (News14)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The NASCAR Hall of Fame names operations manager: The NASCAR Hall of Fame has named Steve Burrell as operations manager. In this role, Burrell will be responsible for all daily operating functions for the Hall of Fame, including developing policies, procedures and a work environment that ensures exceptional customer service. He will plan, direct and supervise daily operations including guest services, event management, volunteer coordination, emergency procedures and security. "I feel both excited and privileged to join an organization that holds itself to such high standards as the CRVA [Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority]," Burrell said. "I look forward to contributing my talents in operations and risk management to this role with the NASCAR Hall of Fame." (NASCAR PR)

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Captain Sully getting ceremonial brick at NASCAR Hall of Fame: Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger traded jokes with Pat McCrory. The Mayor lamented that he couldn't present a Key to the City as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg did for the crew. But he offered what he called “the next best thing:” ceremonial bricks from the now-under-construction NASCAR Hall of Fame. He compared the crew's performance to racing's best teams: “Richard Petty would be jealous,” McCrory said. (Charlotte Observer)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

NASCAR HoF more than halfway complete: Work on the $195 million NASCAR Hall of Fame is 60% complete and on schedule for a spring 2010 opening, the city’s project manager said Tuesday during a tour of the construction site. Eric Bilsky, project manager on the hall of fame for the city of Charlotte, says contractor Turner BE&K Davis remains on budget. In September, costs increased by 20%, or $32 million, as the hall of fame’s operator, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, requested and won City Council approval for money to upgrade planned exhibits and add architectural flourishes. Tuesday’s tour came amid scaffolding, girders and 400 construction workers scrambling to maintain the construction pace. Most of the roof has been applied and, in the months ahead, substantive interior work will begin. By fall, exhibit installation should begin, Bilsky says. In May 2010, the hall of fame opens with the inaugural induction ceremony. “We’re building this to help the economy,” Mayor Pat McCrory said moments before raising the ceremonial beam as part of a topping out ceremony at the Second Ward construction site. “That was always the goal.” McCrory expects the hall of fame to bolster the city’s ailing tourism sector while cementing the region as the hub for NASCAR teams and related businesses. More than 60,000 people in the region work in the tourism sector, an industry crippled by reduced corporate and lesiure travel during the past year. Workers broke ground on the 130,000-square-foot hall of fame in January 2007. An adjoining, 40,000-square-foot convention center ballroom is also under construction on the same site. An adjacent tract houses the 20-story, $90 million NASCAR Plaza office tower. It opens in May.(Charlotte Business Journal)

Sunday, February 1, 2009

NASCAR Hall of Fame television rights available: NASCAR has announced who will be eligible and how the voting will be conducted for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which is scheduled to have its first induction ceremony in May 2010, but no decision has been made yet on the awarding of television broadcasting rights. As part of its contract with the City of Charlotte, which will own and operate the hall of fame, NASCAR owns all broadcast rights for the event. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said the induction ceremony is not packaged in the current television deal and the negotiation process on the rights is just beginning. Fox, Speed, TNT and ABC/ESPN are the current NASCAR television partners as part of a racing contract that currently runs through 2014, an eight-year deal worth a total of $4.48 billion. Obviously, Speed, which is owned by Fox, would love to have that hall induction ceremony programming. “Speed is totally fired up about working on programming covering the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony,” said Speed President Hunter Nickell. “In fact, the brainstorming has long been under way, and we are in the process of developing a specific approach to this historical event.” (SceneDaily.com)

Monday, November 10, 2008

Development slowed near NASCAR Hall of Fame: In a sign of the faltering economy, two developers have pulled out of land deals that city officials hoped would help pay for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. City staff members say the broken contracts will not hurt the NASCAR hall, however, because of safeguards that ensure it has secure funding and is built on time. They also believe that when the real estate market gets better, the city will have no trouble selling the land. The land deals were on two parcels that will become available once a redesign of the Interstate 277 interchange at South Caldwell Street is complete next year. The city plans to sell a total of five such parcels – about 12 acres – and estimates it will pull in about $60 million from the sales. Some of the money will pay for the road construction, and $20 million is committed to the NASCAR hall.(Charlotte Observer)

July 6, 2006

Winston Kelly named NASCAR HOF Executive Director: A Duke Energy vice president and longtime racing broadcaster was named executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame today. Winston Kelley, a Concord native whose family has close ties to racing, was part of the team of city boosters that won the hall of fame over Atlanta, Kansas City and NASCAR's home city of Daytona Beach, Fla., among other hopefuls. "Everyone in the NASCAR community knows Winston has 20-plus years of experience in the sport, but he also has more than 25 years of business and management experience," said Mark Dyer, NASCAR's vice president of licensing, during an announcement at the Charlotte Convention Center. "Winston has tremendous credibility and an abundance of contacts in the Charlotte region's business community," Dyer added. "When you add all that to his love for the sport, he's the perfect choice to lead our NASCAR Hall of Fame." (Charlotte Observer)

May 16, 2006:

NASCAR Charlotte Hall of Fame looking for Exec. Director: The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority will begin interviewing candidates next week for the NASCAR hall of fame’s executive director position. Tuesday was the last day to submit a resume. Charlotte was awarded the hall of fame in March, beating out Atlanta and Daytona Beach, Fla. Tim Newman, CEO of the visitors authority, says officials are working hard on finalizing many of the preliminary details. (News14)

March 22, 2006:

Charlotte Council approves NASCAR tax hike: The NASCAR Hall of Fame deal rounded the last lap Tuesday night. In an 8-1 vote, Mecklenburg commissioners agreed to raise the county's hotel tax by 2 percentage points, from 6 to 8 percent. The money to be raised by the increase was a financial cornerstone of Charlotte's bid to host the motorsports shrine. Commissioners held a public hearing on the increase, the public's only chance to weigh in since the deal was announced. But no one came to object. Instead, half a dozen speakers -- sporting buttons from the campaign to win the hall -- stood up to praise it, saying the Hall of Fame will draw hundreds of thousands of tourists, and solidify the region's status as home to the booming racing industry and the accompanying jobs. Mohammed Jenatian, president of the Greater Charlotte Hospitality and Tourism Alliance, said the tourism industry was involved in the decision to increase the tax, and believes the project is worth it. "I know what NASCAR has done for our industry," he said. "I know what NASCAR has done for our region." (Charlotte Observer)

March 11, 2006:

No Sponsorship on NASCAR Hall of Fame: In a sport famous for slapping sponsor names on every available inch of sheet metal and fire-retardant racing suit, it appears NASCAR has finally found something it doesn't want to sell. The historic moment comes deep on the 63rd page of a contract between NASCAR and the city of Charlotte to build a NASCAR Hall of Fame in the city's downtown by the end of the decade. "Neither party shall sell any naming rights or presenting sponsorship for the HOF (e.g. 'The XYZ Company NASCAR Hall of Fame' or 'The NASCAR Hall of Fame presented by ABC Company') without the other party's prior approval." Yes, it's true. The folks who this year will bring you the "Banquet 500 presented by ConAgra Foods" and the "Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500" don't want a bunch of corporate names getting in the way of the clearly stated "NASCAR Hall of Fame." "We think that would probably go beyond the bounds of good taste," said Mark Dyer, NASCAR's vice president of licensing. (Pensacola News Journal)

March 10, 2006:

FAQ on NASCAR Hall of Fame:  What will a ticket cost? Hall officials say adults will pay $17 for a ticket in the first year. (More at WFAA.com)

March 8, 2006:

NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte until 2038: The agreement between NASCAR and the city lasts through June 30, 2038. By then, the city will have paid all the original debt on the building. In 2033, NASCAR and the city begin a six-month negotiating period for renewing the contract. If they don't reach agreement by Jan. 1, 2034, NASCAR "shall thereafter be free to negotiate with any third party" about another hall of fame. NASCAR officials said Monday that they have no intention of leaving. (Kansas City Star)

Mar. 7, 2006:

Daytona International Speedway statement on HOF: The following is a statement from Robin Braig, President of Daytona International Speedway, regarding the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “While we are disappointed that NASCAR did not choose Daytona Beach as the preferred location for its future Hall of Fame, we are extremely proud of the tremendous efforts put forth by the Daytona Beach/Volusia County organizing committee and its supporters. “The delegation submitted an innovative proposal that presented a formidable alternative to the bids developed by Atlanta and Charlotte, and kept Daytona Beach in the running down to the end of this competitive selection process. “We are proud of the leadership demonstrated by the Daytona Beach Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce and the Central Florida Sports Commission. Their vision, complemented by the City and County, the State of Florida, the business community, thousands of volunteers and the multitude of fans was unprecedented in our area’s history. “We appreciate everyone’s efforts in this initiative and congratulate the Charlotte delegation on a job well done.” (DIS)

Mar. 6, 2006:

NASCAR Hall of Fame awarded to Charlotte: NASCAR today announced that it has selected Charlotte, N.C., to be the home of its Hall of Fame. The NASCAR Hall of Fame, which will be a state of the art facility capturing the spirit of the sport, will honor the NASCAR icons and create an enduring tribute to the drivers, crew members, team owners and others that have impacted the sport in the past, present and yet to come. “To NASCAR fans everywhere, it is my distinct honor to announce that NASCAR has selected Charlotte, N.C., to be the home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “The winners in this process are the 75 million NASCAR fans nationwide, who will have a Hall of Fame to call their own. The City of Charlotte will welcome fans from around the country and even the world to the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said France. Charlotte’s proposal best achieves NASCAR’s overriding goal to have one of the premier hall of fames in the world of sports and entertainment. The region’s rich racing history and heritage along with the strength of the city’s overall financial structure for the Hall, represents the best fit for NASCAR, the industry and the fan-base. The Hall is expected to include exhibit space, a Great Hall, a Hall of Honor, interactive entertainment restaurants, retail outlets, and a state-of-the-art media center for the industry. The NASCAR Hall of Fame will be a special place that brings NASCAR’s history to life and preserves that history in the appropriate environments. The new facility will allow longtime fans to have the opportunity to relive NASCAR’s greatest moments and for new fans to learn about them. “Our goal has been – and continues to be – to create one of the “crown jewels” of Charlotte and the very best Hall of Fame-themed entertainment experience in the world,” said Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. “This Hall of Fame will expand the dynamic and growing sport of NASCAR racing in a dynamic and growing city. It’s a victory not only for the entire region, but for NASCAR fans across the country and internationally. We look forward to welcoming all fans for a unique and entertaining experience.” Mayor McCrory credits the regional effort and broad-based support from the business community, elected officials, the hospitality and tourism industry and NASCAR fans who supported this effort. Mayor McCrory specifically cited the strong leadership from his fellow “Crew Chiefs,” including Cathy Bessant of Bank of America; Luther Cochrane of BEK Building Group, as well as John Tate of Wachovia and Tim Newman of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. The Hall of Fame, which will be located in Charlotte’s Center City will be developed, designed, and operated by the City of Charlotte and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. The total cost of the Hall of Fame is estimated at $107.5 million. This will primarily be funded by a new two percent hotel/motel tax and contributions from the State of North Carolina and the private sector. The Hall of Fame, which will be open no later than spring of 2010, has been designed and concept by world renowned architecture firm, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. The firm has designed iconic buildings in cities worldwide, including the Javits Convention Center in New York City, the expanded Louvre in Paris, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Charlotte is the hub of the NASCAR industry. Currently 82% of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teams, 72 percent of NASCAR Busch Series teams and 55 percent of NASCAR Craftsman Truck teams are based in the Charlotte region. The industry’s current annual statewide economic impact is estimated to be $5 billion. (NASCAR PR)

NASCAR confirms Announcement, France expected to speak before City council:  NASCAR finally acknowledged late this morning that it will make "a special announcement" at the Charlotte Convention Center at 4 p.m. Monday regarding the NASCAR Hall of Fame. One week after the Observer reported that Charlotte's $137.5 million bid to host the NASCAR museum would be the winning effort, NASCAR will make that official at this afternoon's news conference. NASCAR sent an advisory about the event to motorsports media members and posted it on its media web site at approximately 10:40 a.m. Fans are invited to attend the session. The building will open at 3 p.m.and fans should enter via the Second Street entrance to the Convention Center. The news conference will be held in the ballroom.. (Charlotte Observer)   NASCAR Chairman Brian France expected to address council. (Live streaming video can be seen at WCNC of announcement. VIDEO: Charlotte unveils vision of NASCAR hall

Mar. 5, 2006:

Charlotte City Council to approve NASCAR HOF:  NASCAR is expected to declare Charlotte the winner Monday in the yearlong race to land the sport's hall of fame. Then the sprint begins. According to a preliminary schedule provided to the Observer, a 4 p.m. announcement at the Charlotte Convention Center will be followed by a 6 p.m. Charlotte City Council meeting to approve the deal with NASCAR. Critics say that leaves little time for the public to digest or comment on the details of an agreement whose key details remain shrouded in secrecy. "Speed is not the friend of the taxpayer here," said John Hood, executive director of the John Locke Foundation think tank in Raleigh. Two other boards will also take quick votes. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority will be asked to approve the deal at the group's Wednesday meeting, according to the schedule. (Miami Herald)

Mar. 4, 2006:

Charlotte HOF announcement Monday: New details emerged Friday about next week's expected announcement that Charlotte has landed NASCAR's Hall of Fame. An official announcement has been tentatively scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday at the Charlotte Convention Center, a NASCAR source said. Luminaries such as Gov. Mike Easley, Mayor Pat McCrory, NASCAR Chairman Brian France and Hendrick Motorsports Owner Rick Hendrick are expected to attend, said the source, who asked not to be identified because of the confidentially of the bid process. The Speed Channel, channel 67 on Time Warner Cable, is tentatively scheduled to broadcast the event live, the source said. Asked late Friday about any expected NASCAR-related announcement, McCrory declined comment. (ThatsRacin.com)

Mar. 2, 2006:

NASCAR denies Charlotte HOF Report, Atlanta ups Ante to 169 mil:  Kerry Tharp, a spokesman for NASCAR, has put a damper on rumblings that the Queen City has landed the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday, citing anonymous sources, that Charlotte has won the three-city race for the coveted hall.   Atlanta and Daytona Beach, Fla., are also vying for the museum. "To say anyone is still no longer involved would be inaccurate," Tharp says. "From our standpoint, the process is still very much open and active." Tharp's statement comes the same day that the city of Atlanta announced it is upping its commitment to NASCAR to $77 million from $5 million, making Atlanta's total bid package for the museum $169 million. By comparison, Charlotte's bid totals $137.5 million, including about $120 million from public funds. The $102 million publicly financed piece of the Atlanta bid comprises $25 million that was previously committed by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue in state support and $77 million in funds from the city of Atlanta. The city had previously committed only $5 million to the project. Bank loans and corporate support would finance the remaining portion. "We're absolutely delighted that Gov. Perdue and Mayor Shirley Franklin see this effort as the true economic engine that we expect it to be," said Mark Lazarus, chair of Atlanta's NASCAR Bid Committee and president of the Turner Entertainment Group, a NASCAR partner. "We just found a whole lot more horsepower to go after the NASCAR Hall of Fame." (Charlotte Business Journal)

Mar. 1, 2006:

REPORT: Charlotte to land NASCAR HOF announcement Monday: Charlotte has won the year-long race to land NASCAR's Hall of Fame, three sources told the Observer on Tuesday night. Charlotte beat out Atlanta and Daytona Beach, Fla., to win the $100-million plus shrine to stock car racing, the sources said. An official announcement is expected Monday afternoon in Charlotte. "It's coming to Charlotte," said one source, who like the others asked not to be identified because of the confidentiality of the process. The source said final logistics must still be worked out, but "it's going to happen." "Monday will be a great day for the city," said another source. A NASCAR spokesman, reached late Tuesday, would only confirm that NASCAR would announce the project site this month. Sources said NASCAR Chairman Brian France is expected in Charlotte on Monday for the announcement. (Charlotte Observer)

More trouble for GA. NASCAR HOF money: Georgia lawmakers hoping to snare millions of dollars in public money to attract the NASCAR Hall of Fame to Atlanta have hit another roadblock. Legislators had two plans to increase Georgia's existing $92 million bid this week. One plan would offer $20 million from state sales taxes if the Hall of Fame is built in Atlanta. The other would divert about $22 million in surplus money from Atlanta's rental car tax to the NASCAR project. It's the second proposal that has caused problems. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Wednesday that officials already have committed the $22 million to help the city's homeless. Lawmakers contend Atlanta did not have the authority to spend the rental car taxes, but city officials committed the money in January to Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin's campaign to end homelessness. (WISTV.com)

Feb. 28, 2006:

NASCAR spokesman: No decision yet on HOF city: When asked about a report in yesterday's editions of The Charlotte Observer that NASCAR was nearly certain to place the hall in Charlotte, NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp insisted no decision has been reached and that both Atlanta and Daytona Beach, Fla., remain in the running. "The process is still ongoing. We're still looking at information from all three cities," Tharp said. "The decision-making process is very much ongoing." The Observer report cited four unnamed sources, identified as two high-ranking NASCAR officials and two Nextel Cup team owners. Final details remain to be worked out before the announcement of the site selection can be made, the sources told The Observer. NASCAR hopes to make a decision by the end of March, Tharp said. (Times-Dispacth)

Feb. 27, 2006:

Report: Charlotte Certain to get NASCAR HOF: As the race for NASCAR's Hall of Fame heads into the home stretch, Charlotte is the leading candidate to land the $100 million-plus shrine to stock car racing, several sources told the Observer on Sunday. Two high-ranking NASCAR officials and two Nextel Cup team owners, all speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Charlotte's selection was nearly certain. Final details must be worked out before any announcement, the sources said. Charlotte has been competing with four other cities since last year to host the project, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. In January, NASCAR eliminated Kansas City and Richmond, Va. as candidates, leaving Charlotte, Atlanta and Daytona Beach, Fla. A NASCAR spokesman maintained Sunday the selection process was not complete. "The process is still evolving. We continue to receive additional information regarding each of the three cities' proposals and the decision-making process is still active," said NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp. Tharp reiterated that NASCAR plans to decide by the end of March. (Miami-Herald)

Feb. 16, 2006:

Georgia looking for money for Atlanta NASCAR HoF bid: Georgia lawmakers are trying to win NASCAR's hall of fame for downtown Atlanta with millions of new dollars from Dale Earnhardt license plates and airport rental cars. Leaders in Georgia's House will soon introduce legislation to shift additional money to the hall of fame project from Georgia's new NASCAR license plate and Atlanta's 10-year-old rental car tax. This would be on top of the $32 million in public incentives already on the table. The added money will help the local bid team seal a deal with NASCAR in a hall of fame race that could be Atlanta's to lose, said state Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Alpharetta), the No. 2 man in the House who's become the attraction's point man under the Gold Dome. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Feb. 10, 2006:

NASCAR's HoF to be named in month or two, by Helton and France family: NASCAR president Mike Helton said Thursday the announcement of the site for NASCAR's Hall of Fame would be made within 30 to 60 days. France said the decision would be made by NASCAR's board of directors, including chairman Brian France, vice chairman Bill France Jr., executive vice president Jim France, vice president Lesa France Kennedy and Helton. Finalist cities for the hall are Daytona Beach, Atlanta and Charlotte. (Florida Today)

Georgia looking for more money for NASCAR Hall: Georgia lawmakers and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin are trying to show NASCAR more money. State and city officials moved Thursday to put more dollars behind Atlanta's bid for a NASCAR hall of fame, including another $10 million in special tax breaks from the city of Atlanta, according to state Rep. Mark Burkhalter. Officials were reacting to comments made by Brian France, the racing's chief executive, who suggested Wednesday that the money behind rival Charlotte's bid was more secure — though Atlanta may have an advantage with the foot traffic generated by the Georgia Aquarium. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Feb. 6, 2006:

Georgia antes up $27 mil for NASCAR HoF: Georgia legislators and state officials are quickly putting together a $27 million Valentine's Day goody bag for the proposed Atlanta NASCAR hall of fame. House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) and other legislators introduced a bill this week exempting the hall of fame from taxes on construction materials, saving the proposed project about $6.4 million. Legislators and state officials also plan to earmark a $3 million state grant for the hall of fame in this year's budget and float the project an $18 million loan from a special economic-development bond kitty that the General Assembly set up last year. The incentive package is the state's part of a three-pronged effort to build a $92 million NASCAR hall of fame near Centennial Olympic Park downtown. (Salem-Journal)

Jan. 6, 2006:

NASCAR narrows down HoF cities, K.C. and Richmond out: NASCAR has narrowed the possible sites for its first official Hall of Fame to Atlanta, Charlotte or Daytona Beach, Fla., and expects to pick a winning city by the end of March. "Based upon the proposals that we have reviewed internally for the past several months, we believe these three cities provide us with the best opportunity to build and develop a world-class NASCAR Hall of Fame for our millions of loyal fans," Mark Dyer, NASCAR's vice president for licensing, said Thursday in a statement. The decision eliminates Richmond, Va., and Kansas City., Kan. from consideration. "Both of their proposals were outstanding and the passion and enthusiasm the people involved showed for the NASCAR Hall of Fame has made a lasting impression on all of us," Dyer said. Earlier this year, NASCAR officials toured the five cities that submitted bids for the Hall of Fame. The stock-car racing series has said it wants the attraction to appeal to both race fans and those new to the sport. (USA Today)

NASCAR Hall of Fame News 1 - 2 (Jul. - Dec. 05) - 3 (Feb. - June '05)