NATIONAL SPRINT CAR MUSEUM IS THE PLACE TO BE DURING THE SEPTEMBER 26-28 LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL KNOXVILLE NATIONALS

As the late announcer Jack Miller used to say, “Holy Cow!”  The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum will be the place to be during the September 26-28 Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals with a large museum-benefit auction, a new NASCAR book-signing, and appearances by veteran Iowa dirt late model drivers Billy Moyer, Don Hoffman, Verlin Eaker, Fred Horn, Ken Walton, Ed Sanger, Tom Hearst, Curt Hansen, Roger Dolan and Gary Webb.

Said museum executive director Bob Baker today, “If you are a fan of dirt late model racing, past or present, you are going to want to visit the National Sprint Car Museum on all three days of the Knoxville Late Model Nationals.  Our Saturday afternoon auction, which benefits both our organization and the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in Florence, Kentucky, is shaping up to be the largest ever.  Award-winning journalist Dave Argabright will be interviewing National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame inductee and Des Moines native Billy Moyer, who also happens to be the winningest stock car driver in Knoxville history.  On Saturday, after the auction, historians Bob Markos, Bobby Markos and Lee Ackerman will talk Hawkeye Downs late model history with Iowa greats Verlin Eaker, Fred Horn, Ken Walton, Ed Sanger, Tom Hearst, Curt Hansen, Roger Dolan and Gary Webb.  On Friday afternoon, author John Havick will talk about his brand-new book entitled “The Ghosts of NASCAR:  The Harlan Boys and the First Daytona 500.”  And, if that weren’t enough, it all kicks off on Thursday afternoon with historian Barry Johnson interviewing Des Moines veteran Don Hoffman in our annual Stocksville Reunion.”

The current schedule of events at the non-profit museum in Knoxville is as follows:

Thursday, September 26

2 p.m. – Stocksville Reunion with host Barry Johnson:  Don Hoffman (in the museum’s second floor theater)
Listen to media member Barry Johnson interview veteran Des Moines stock car racer Don Hoffman.  Another special guest may also be added to the meet-and-greet line-up!

Friday, September 27

11:30 a.m. – VIP Reception:  “An Afternoon with Billy Moyer” (in the museum’s second floor conference center)
Award-winning journalist Dave Argabright will interview veteran dirt late model racer Billy Moyer about his life and career.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear Billy talk about life on the road with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanction’s own television reporter.

2 p.m. – Late Model 101: “The Ghosts of NASCAR:  The Harlan Boys and the First Daytona 500” (in the museum’s second floor theater)
Author John Havick discusses his latest non-fiction work, entitled “The Ghosts of NASCAR:  The Harlan Boys and the First Daytona 500.”  This University of Iowa Press-published book recounts old-model stock car racing in southwest Iowa, International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) racing in the 1950’s, and then some National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) races, including the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959.  The main characters are mechanic Dale Swanson and champion drivers Johnny Beauchamp and DeWayne “Tiny” Lund.  Author Havick will be selling and signing books following the talk.

Saturday, September 28

12 Noon – Knoxville Dirt Late Model Memorabilia Auction (in the museum’s second floor conference center)
A live auction of unique, autographed memorabilia from the worlds of Lucas Oil and WoO dirt late model racing, WoO sprint car racing, NASCAR stock car racing, Indy Car racing and NHRA drag racing.  Emceed by Kathy Krafka Harkema and auctioneered by veteran late model driver and owner Lynn Richard, you’ll want to take in this fun event and relive the stories and memories as you can bid on autographed dirt late model body panels, die-cast and apparel at reasonable prices!  Do your Christmas shopping early and help two great causes (National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum and National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame).  Plus, you’ll hear from top drivers taking part in Saturday night’s big show!

3 p.m. - Late Model 101:  “Early Yankee Dirt Track Classics at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids” (in the museum’s second floor conference center)
National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Induction Director and race historian Bob Markos, with his son, Bobby Markos, Jr., and historian/friend Lee Ackerman, will emcee the candid conversation with past Yankee Dirt Track Classic champions and popular Eastern Iowa drivers Verlin Eaker, Fred Horn, Ken Walton, Ed Sanger, Tom Hearst, Curt Hansen, Roger Dolan and Gary Webb.  Relive their remarkable racing careers, as they recall some of their favorite events, share incredible racing stories and sign autographs.

Those seeking more information on the September 26-28 events are encouraged to visit the sprintcarhof dot com web site.