NASCAR HOF To Host Grassroots Racing Exhibit

The NASCAR Hall of Fame introduces a new exhibition in its Great Hall, Grassroots Racing: Where NASCAR Heroes Are Born, opening Monday, May 14.

The new exhibition tells the story of hometown racetracks, affectionately called “grassroots,” where many NASCAR drivers began their careers racing every Friday and Saturday night.

“It’s important to recognize that the NASCAR Hall of Fame is an educational institution for fans and guests,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the facility. “It’s a vital part of our mission to preserve, uphold and be a resource for the sport and its history. This is the eighth new Great Hall exhibition since opening in May 2010 and it is with these exhibitions the Hall continues to present new chapters in the history book that the NASCAR Hall of Fame experience offers to visitors.”

Grassroots Racing: Where NASCAR Stars are Born explores four race tracks historically known and recognized to be the beginnings of NASCAR racing – Greenville Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C., Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C. and South Boston Speedway in Boston, Va.

Highlighting the exhibition are historic race cars; David Pearson’s Ford Modified (1937), Richard Childress’ Plymouth Modified (1937), Dale Jarrett’s Busch Series Pontiac LeMans (1986) and Denny Hamlin’s Late Model Chevrolet (2003). Additional authentic artifacts  convey the story of these pivotal “grassroots” racetracks which paved the way for many of NASCAR’s biggest stars, many of which are NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees today.

The new exhibition kicks off May Days; a full lineup of special activities, NASCAR celebrity appearances, the unveiling of the 2012 Class Hall of Honor exhibition, exclusive Member-only events, Voting Day and the announcement of the 2013 Class of Inductees.

Grassroots Racing: Where NASCAR Stars are Born opens Monday, May 14 and runs through October.