CHARLOTTE, NC :: The NASCAR Hall of Fame is the place for NASCAR fans to learn about the drivers who made the sport what it is today. Now there is a new exhibit to enhance the fan experience and knowledge of the sports’ champions.
With the support of Whelen Engineering, the Whelen Hall of Champions exhibit debuted last night during a VIP dinner for the 2014 NASCAR Home Tracks champions at the facility located in downtown Charlotte.
The new exhibit display lists every NASCAR champion that has been crowned since 1948.
The concept of the exhibit was created by Whelen Vice President of Motorsports Phil Kurze.
“I love short track racing and when I was walking though the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the first time I thought of this exhibit,” said Kurze. “This is a great way to honor all of NASCAR’s champions throughout its history, and I want to thank Winston Kelley from the NASCAR Hall of Fame and everyone at NASCAR who helped make this dream become a reality.”
During the unveiling of the exhibit this year’s champions – Ben Rhodes, Greg Pursley, Doug Coby, Andy Seuss, L.P. Dumoulin, Anthony Kumpen, Abraham Calderon and Anthony Anders – were present with Kurze to debut the new display.
For Anthony Anders, this year’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion, it was a once in a lifetime experience.
“It was a surprise for us to see the exhibit and the impact it had on all of us in the room,” said Anders. “Knowing that my name will be in the NASCAR Hall of Fame for years and that my son and grandchildren will someday be able to go there and see my name listed as a champion is an unbelievable experience.”
The Hall of Champions exhibit also includes the first NASCAR championship trophies awarded in the Modified Division, Strictly Stock (now NASCAR Sprint Cup), Late Model Sportsman, Busch Sportsman (now NASCAR Nationwide) and then Craftsman SuperTruck Series (now Camping World Truck).
In addition to the new exhibit, Whelen Engineering sponsors the NASCAR Whelen Modified and Whelen Southern Modified Tours, the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
“I felt that all of NASCAR’s series should be represented and with my love of short-track racing this exhibit just made sense to put together,” Kurze added. “Fans have asked for this and we are honored to help bring this exhibit to life for the fans.”
The champions will now focus their attention on the awards ceremonies beginning Friday with the top finishers and special awards winners receiving their trophies and recognition during the annual Grand Champions Breakfasts at the Westin in Charlotte on Friday (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series) and Saturday (NASCAR Touring Series). For the first time, these events will be simultaneously streamed live on FansChoice.tv and NASCARHomeTracks.com.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards will take place Friday night. Among those honored will be Anders as the 2014 national champion in addition to his South Carolina and Greenville Pickens Speedway late model titles.
The awards will also recognize the Division I champions from 58 tracks across the United States and Canada, state and provincial champions and top rookies, Div. II-V national champions, and other special award winners.
On the following evening, NASCAR’s touring series champions will be recognized at the traditional NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards.
Honorees will include the champions from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1, NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. In addition, the series championship car owners and crew chiefs will receive their trophies, as well as the Most Popular Drivers and rookies of the year.
