NASCAR Hall of Fame Celebrates Motorsports Month in Charlotte

Just received this release about NASCAR Hall of Fame events next week. Sound like some fun times.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 14, 2015) – Surrounding the 10 days of NASCAR Thunder at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is offering many ways for fans and visitors to fuel up on fun during May, which has been officially declared Motorsports Month in North Carolina by Governor Pat McCrory. From Racing Insiders Tours to the historic announcement of the Class of 2016 to the inaugural PNC Speed Street 5K and Kids 600 Yard Fun Run, guests will find high-octane happenings at the NASCAR Hall of Fame all month long.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame is also celebrating Membership Appreciation Month throughout May with daily giveaways, a chance to win a VIP experience at the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, special members-only activities like a historian-led tour through the Hall, an exclusive sneak peek of the newest special exhibit set to open this summer, a private autograph session with the Class of 2016, a simulator racing challenge and more. Additional member benefits include annual admission and unlimited simulator rides, member gifts, access to exclusive content, discounts and more. Fans can learn more about becoming a NASCAR Hall of Fame member at nascarhall.com/membership.

And just off the heels of celebrating the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s fifth anniversary, the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2016 and the recipient of the 2016 Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR will be announced live in the Great Hall on Wednesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. ET. The announcement is open to the public (admission to the Great Hall is free after 5 p.m.) and will be broadcast live from the NASCAR Hall of Fame on NBC Sports Network, Sirius XM NASCAR Radio and NASCAR.com. Fans still have time to lock in their vote for the legends they think should be in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s seventh induction class by submitting a Fan Vote on NASCAR.com/halloffame. Fans have until Monday, May 18 at 11:59 p.m. ET to vote for five of the 20 nominees for the Class of 2016. The top five nominees with the most fan votes will be cast as the final ballot on Voting Day.

See a full list of NASCAR Hall of Fame Race Week activities below:

THURSDAY, MAY 14"Driven" Movie Premiere (Legends and Champions Club Members Only) Legends and Champions Club Members are invited to a special movie premiere of the documentary “Driven” on Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m.in the NASCAR Hall of Fame High Octane Theater. Hosted by Michael Waltrip Racing, the documentary features Patrick Staropoli as a University of Miami medical student racing his way to NASCAR. For more information about becoming a member, visit nascarhall.com/membership.

FRIDAY, MAY 15Racing Insiders Tour: Tour 85 The Racing Insiders Tour is an all-access, in-depth tour in and around Charlotte’s racing community. The Tour 85 itinerary makes stops at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and shops along Interstate 85 including Stewart-Haas Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. The tour runs from approximately 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit racinginsiderstour.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 16 Simulator Racing Challenge (Members Only) NASCAR Hall of Fame members are invited to compete in an iRacing simulator challenge in Race Week on Saturday, May 16 beginning at 9 a.m.for the chance to be crowned the simulator racing champion. For more information about becoming a member, visit nascarhall.com/membership.

MONDAY, MAY 18 Racing Insiders Tour: Tour 85 The Racing Insiders Tour is an all-access, in-depth tour in and around Charlotte’s racing community. The Tour 85 itinerary makes stops at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and shops along Interstate 85 including Stewart-Haas Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. The tour runs from approximately 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit racinginsiderstour.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Day VIP Experience (Legends Members Only) NASCAR Hall of Fame Legends Members will have access to an exclusive area located behind the scenes, just outside the all-important Voting Room at the Charlotte Convention Center. For more information about becoming a member, visit nascarhall.com/membership.

Class of 2016 Announcement (Open to the Public) The NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2016 and the recipient of the 2016 Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR will be announced live in the Great Hall on Wednesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. ET. The announcement is open to the public (admission to the Great Hall is free after 5 p.m.) and will be broadcast live from the NASCAR Hall of Fame on NBC Sports Network, Sirius XM NASCAR Radio and NASCAR.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 21Racing Insiders Tour: Tour 77 The Racing Insiders Tour is an all-access, in-depth tour in and around Charlotte’s racing community. The Tour 77 itinerary makes stops at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and shops along Interstate 77 including Joe Gibbs Racing, Penske Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing. The tour runs from approximately 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit racinginsiderstour.com.

Circle K and Kangaroo Speed Street Festival Presented by Coca-ColaAs one of the largest street festivals in the Southeast with approximately 400,000 attendees over three days, Speed Street features live entertainment, access to NASCAR stars and interactive activities for the whole family. The Coca-Cola Stage will be located next to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and will feature free live performances by Mike Regan’s All Stars (5:30 p.m.), The Reason You Stayed (7-8 p.m.), Appetite for Destruction, The Ultimate Guns & Roses Experience (8:30 p.m.) and Departure, A Journey Tribute Band (10:30 p.m.). For a full schedule of events, visit 600festival.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 22 Racing Insiders Tour: Tour 85 The Racing Insiders Tour is an all-access, in-depth tour in and around Charlotte’s racing community. The Tour 85 itinerary makes stops at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and shops along Interstate 85 including Stewart-Haas Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. The tour runs from approximately 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit racinginsiderstour.com.

Historian-Led Tour (Members Only) Join NASCAR Hall of Fame Historian Buz McKim for an exclusive tour of the NASCAR Hall of Fame at 11 a.m. Learn more about the history and heritage of NASCAR and how it is preserved through artifacts and exhibits at the Hall. For more information about becoming a member, visit nascarhall.com/membership.

Sneak Peek of New Exhibits (Members Only) NASCAR Hall of Fame members are invited to join the exhibits team in the NASCAR Hall of Fame Legends Room at 2:30 p.m. for a behind-the-scenes look at artifacts included in the newest special exhibit set to open this summer. For more information about becoming a member, visit nascarhall.com/membership.

Circle K and Kangaroo Speed Street Festival Presented by Coca-Cola
As one of the largest street festivals in the Southeast with approximately 400,000 attendees over three days, Speed Street features live entertainment, access to NASCAR stars and interactive activities for the whole family. The Coca-Cola Stage will be located next to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and will feature free live performances by Amy Taylor (6 p.m.), Parmalee (9 p.m.) and Corey Smith (10:30 p.m.) as well as a motorcycle giveaway by the NASCAR Foundation (7 p.m.) and a Q&A with Coca-Cola racing family drivers (8 p.m.). For a full schedule of events, visit 600festival.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 23 PNC Speed Street 5K and Kids 600 Yard Fun Run The inaugural PNC Speed Street 5K will take place on Saturday, May 23 at 8 a.m. in Uptown Charlotte. The start line will be on Tryon Street and the finish line will be located at the NASCAR Hall of Fame as well as the Speed Street Kids 600 Yard Fun Run that will begin inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Glory Road and end on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. The awards celebration will take place on the Coca-Cola Stage at 9:15 a.m. To register, visit speedstreet5k.racesonline.com.

Q&A with NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Join the recently announced Class of 2016 for a moderated Q&A session in the Great Hall at 10 a.m. (subject to change based on Hall of Famer availability). This event is open to the public. General admission is required.

Class of 2016 Autograph Session (Members Only) NASCAR Hall of Fame members are invited to join the recently announced Class of 2016 for a members-only autograph session in the Hall of Honor from 10:30-11:30 a.m. (subject to change based on Hall of Famer availability). For more information about becoming a member, visit nascarhall.com/membership.

Legends and Champions Club Members Reception with the Class of 2016 Legends and Champion Club Members are invited to a special reception with the recently announced Class of 2016 in the Theater Lobby at11:30 a.m. (subject to change based on Hall of Famer availability). For more information about becoming a member, visit nascarhall.com/membership.

Circle K and Kangaroo Speed Street Festival Presented by Coca-Cola
As one of the largest street festivals in the Southeast with approximately 400,000 attendees over three days, Speed Street features live entertainment, access to NASCAR stars and interactive activities for the whole family. The Coca-Cola Stage will be located next to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and will feature free live performances by School or Rock (4:30 p.m.), Halfway to Hazard (8 p.m.), Craig Wayne Boyd, winner of “The Voice” (9 p.m.) and Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx (10:30 p.m.). Additional activities at the Coca-Cola Stage on Saturday, May 23include Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest (6 p.m.) and a Q&A with Coca-Cola racing family drivers (7 p.m.). For a full schedule of events, visit 600festival.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 24 Special Charter Member Presentation (Charter Members Only) NASCAR Hall of Fame Charter Members are invited to special ceremony featuring inaugural inductee Junior Johnson in the High Octane Theater at 10 a.m. to honor their commitment and support of the NASCAR Hall of Fame since it opened in 2010.

TUESDAY, MAY 26 Racing Insiders Tour: Tour 85 The Racing Insiders Tour is an all-access, in-depth tour in and around Charlotte’s racing community. The Tour 85 itinerary makes stops at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and shops along Interstate 85 including Stewart-Haas Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. The tour runs from approximately 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit racinginsiderstour.com.

To accommodate the adrenaline-pumping action and thousands of fans coming to town this month, the NASCAR Hall of Fame will also offer special hours beginning May 15:

May 15-17: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
May 18-20: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
May 21-22: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
May 23-24: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
 May 25-31: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

General admission tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame can be purchased by calling (877) 231-2010 or at nascarhall.com. Admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Memberships are available starting at $125. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is open daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more details, visit nascarhall.com. Updates are available at facebook.com/nascarhall or by following @NASCARHall on Twitter.

2016 NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class Announced

Exciting times at the NASCAR Hall Of Fame announced its Class of 2016 this week. It's the seventh year of the Hall of Fame, and the class includes lots of outstanding drivers as well as Charlotte's own Bruton Smith, founder of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Here's the details from the official press release:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 20, 2015) – NASCAR announced today the inductees who will comprise the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2016. The five-person group – the seventh in NASCAR Hall of Fame history – consists of Jerry Cook, Bobby Isaac, Terry Labonte, O. Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner. In addition, NASCAR announced that Harold Brasington won the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Next year’s Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, broadcast on NBCSN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, live from Charlotte, North Carolina.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in a closed session in Charlotte to debate and vote upon the 20 nominees for the induction class of 2016 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award.

NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton announced the class and Landmark Award winner, respectively, this evening in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Great Hall.

The Class of 2016 was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, including representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and, for the second year, the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion (Kevin Harvick). In all, 57 votes were cast, with two additional Voting Panel members recused from voting as potential nominees for induction (Jerry Cook and Robert Yates). The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.

Voting was as follows: O. Bruton Smith (68%), Terry Labonte (61%), Curtis Turner (60%), Jerry Cook (47%) and Bobby Isaac (44%).

The next top vote-getters were Red Byron, Benny Parsons and Rick Hendrick.

Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote, in alphabetical order, were Buddy Baker, Alan Kulwicki, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin and Benny Parsons.

The five inductees came from a group of 20 nominees that included, in addition to the five inductees chosen: Buddy Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Ray Evernham, Ray Fox, Rick Hendrick, Harry Hyde, Alan Kulwicki, Mark Martin, Hershel McGriff, Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, Larry Phillips, Mike Stefanik and Robert Yates.

Nominees for the Landmark Award included Brasington, H.Clay Earles, Raymond Parks, Ralph Seagraves and Ken Squier. It is awarded to competitors or those working in the sport who have acted as a NASCAR ambassador through a professional or non-professional role. Anne B. France won the inaugural award last year.

Class of 2016 Inductees:

Jerry Cook

Jerry Cook made his name in modifieds, winning six NASCAR Modified championships, including four consecutively from 1974-77. All the while, he was vying with another driver from his hometown of Rome, New York, nine-time champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans, for supremacy in NASCAR’s open-wheel realm. After retiring from racing in 1982, Cook stayed with the sport and helped shape the series known today as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Cook served as the series’ director when it began in 1985 and remains with NASCAR as competition administrator.

Bobby Isaac

Bobby Isaac’s uncanny skill at drawing speed from a race car puts him on a short list of NASCAR legends. His 49 career poles ranks 10th all time. Maybe more impressive: Isaac captured 19 poles in 1969, which still stands as the record for poles in a single season. Isaac began racing in NASCAR’s premier series in 1961. He finished runner-up in the series standings in 1968 behind NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson. In 1969, he finished sixth in the standings after posting 17 wins and those 19 poles. In 1970, Isaac won the championship posting 11 victories, 32 top fives and 38 top 10s in 47 starts. Isaac won 37 races in NASCAR's top series, ranking 19th on the all-time list.

Terry Labonte

Terry Labonte is a two-nickname NASCAR star. Early in his career he was known as the “Iceman” for his coolness under pressure. But his demeanor belied his determination. Later in his career he became known as the sport’s “Iron Man” thanks to 665 consecutive starts in NASCAR’s premier series, a record which stood until 2002. Winning two premier series championships, in 1984 and ’96, is impressive; the 12-year gap distinguishes Labonte further. No other driver has won his first two championships that far apart and Labonte is one of only six drivers with championships in two decades. Labonte’s stellar career is tucked between perfect bookends – his two Southern 500 wins, in 1980 and 2003. His 361 top-10 finishes ranks 10th all time.

O. Bruton Smith

O. Bruton Smith, executive chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., promoted his first stock car race in Midland, North Carolina at the age of 18. Smith’s early endeavors included operating the National Stock Car Racing Association – seen as an early competitor to NASCAR – and building Charlotte Motor Speedway. CMS became the foundation of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which currently owns eight NASCAR tracks hosting 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and additional high-profile motorsports activities. Smith took SMI public in 1995, the first motorsports company to be traded at the New York Stock Exchange. He was inducted into the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame and National Motorsports Press Association’s Hall of Fame, both in 2006; and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Curtis Turner

Called by some the “Babe Ruth of stock car racing,” Curtis Turner was among the fastest and most colorful competitors in the early years of NASCAR premier series racing. Turner competed in NASCAR’s first “Strictly Stock” race in 1949 in Charlotte and was the only driver to win a NASCAR premier series race in a Nash. He posted his first of 17 career victories in only his fourth start on Sept. 11, 1949, at Langhorne (Pennsylvania) Speedway. Although many of Turner’s victories came on short tracks and dirt ovals – much of his career pre-dated NASCAR’s superspeedway era – he won the 1956 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway and the first American 500 at Rockingham Speedway in 1965. He remains the only series driver to win two consecutive races from the pole leading every lap. He also won 38 of 79 races in which he competed in the NASCAR Convertible Division.

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:

Harold Brasington

Harold Brasington, a South Carolina businessman, believed in Bill France’s fledgling NASCAR business, created the sanctioning body’s first superspeedway – a one-of-a-kind egg-shaped oval, paved on an old cotton and peanut field. Expecting 10,000 fans to show up at Darlington Raceway’s first competition on Labor Day of 1950, 25,000 spectators showed up for the inaugural Southern 500 – NASCAR’s first 500-mile race. Darlington's success inspired Brasington to extend his reach north -- to North Carolina. He employed his track building and promoting expertise, helping in the creation of Charlotte Motor Speedway and building North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina.

About the NASCAR Hall of Fame

Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010, and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Productions-operated broadcast studio. The venue is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week and has an attached parking garage on Brevard Street. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000-square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. nascarhall.com

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and follow NASCAR at www.Facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.