NATIONAL SPRINT CAR MUSEUM BUSY THIS WEEK
DURING LUCAS OIL KNOXVILLE LATE MODEL NATIONALS
by: Thomas J Schmeh

KNOXVILLE, IOWA (September 23, 2007) - The second floor of the National Sprint Car Museum in Knoxville will be a busy place this week during the fourth annual Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals, September 27-29. Kicking things off on Wednesday evening, September 26, will be the annual International Reel Wheel Film Festival, which is free and open to the public from 7 until 10 p.m. On Saturday afternoon, September 29, the museum will again present the Knoxville Dirt Late Model Auction at 12 Noon until 2:30 p.m. The auction, which is free and led by auctioneers Chris and Lynn Richard, will benefit the non-profit National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, with a portion of the proceeds also supporting the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. Finally, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, the “Youth & Families in Racing” Forum will be held on the second floor. The free-to-the-public forum is annually coordinated by Bob Colbert, and it will be hosted by Tony Paris and Justin Zoch.

According to museum executive director Tom Schmeh, “We are very pleased to host events here at the museum that appeal to a diverse audience. The film festival celebrates the automobile and auto racing in film, and it is great way to inaugurate the Raceway’s Knoxville Late Models Nationals and the city’s Old Home Days. The auction offers motorsports fans an opportunity to purchase unique, autographed memorabilia from the worlds of NASCAR stock car, World of Outlaws (WoO) sprint car and late model, and NHRA drag racing. Just the other day, Jim Rasmussen of Real Wheels agreed to donate a half-scale Performance Bodies door panel autographed by all the participating drivers in the Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals, and Michelle Petroff indicated that defending champion Brian Shirley will be donating some very unique items for this year’s auction. And, finally, the youth forum allows fans to meet and greet some teenaged up-and-comers within Midwestern short track racing. The kids racing mini-sprints, 305-cubic-inch sprints, and sport modifieds are the future of our sport.”

The film festival, auction, and fan forum are just three of the many activities surrounding the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals, September 27-29. The $220,000 event boasts an entry list including NASCAR superstars Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and Kenny Schrader, and past champions Brian Birkhofer (2004), Scott Bloomquist (’05) and Brian Shirley (’06). Also entered are Josh Richards, Billy Drake, Steve Francis, Shannon Babb, Billy Moyer, Rick Eckert, Chris Smyser, Jimmy Mars, Darren Miller, Tim McCreadie, Earl Pearson, Jr., Bart Hartman, Donnie Moran and many, many others.

Those seeking more information on the museum’s second floor events are urged to contact Tom Schmeh at 1-800-874-4488 or to visit the museum’s web site at www.sprintcarhof.com. Those interested in tickets for the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals are urged to call the track office at 641-842-5431 or visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com.