NASCAR Hall of Fame 50-Day Countdown Recap -" Week 6

CHARLOTTE, N.C. 8 days until opening) The NASCAR Hall of Fame opens May 11, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., and to celebrate the final 50 days until the opening, news is revealed each day at www.NASCARHall.com/50days. The reveals are accompanied by a daily trivia contest on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Twitter page (@NASCARHall). Some of the highlights of week six include the grand opening of Buffalo Wild Wings in the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza, the announcement of NASCAR superstars set to participate during the facilitys grand opening and the NASCAR Hall of Fame hard card experience. The following is a recap of announcements for Monday, April 26 Sunday, May 2. April 26 -15 days until opening Kyle Pettys Pinewood Derby Car and Trophy Kyle Petty grew up in the legendary racing family of Richard and Lee Petty. Petty had one of his first victories racing a pinewood derby car down a straight track at age 14 during a Boy Scout event in 1974. Known as a great NASCAR spokesman and philanthropist, he and his wife, Patty, founded Victory Junction Gang Camp for chronically-ill children in honor of their son, Adam. Along with Victory Junction Gang Camp, he started the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. During this great event, Kyle is joined by NASCAR fans, drivers and crew members as they ride their motorcycles across America to visit childrens hospitals and other charities. Guests can find out how some of NASCARs biggest names started and see Kyle Pettys pinewood derby car and trophy in Kobalt Kids Zone, the family-friendly area perfect for the smaller set of rookie racers April 27 -14 days until opening Janet Guthries Driver Uniform and Driving Shoes from 1976 Janet Guthrie was born on March 7, 1938 in Iowa City, Iowa. Guthrie started her racing career in a Jaguar XK 12 and went on to win two Sports Car Club of America races.Guthrie eventually moved to stock cars and became the first woman to qualify for the Daytona 500. She also was the only woman to lead a race in NASCARs premier series. While her NASCAR career was only from 1976-78, Guthrie received recognition as an inductee into the Womens Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. At the NASCAR Hall of Fame, guests can see Guthries driver uniform and driving shoes from 1976 in Heritage Speedway. She brought the soft-soled driving shoes to NASCAR from her sports-car days. The shoes provided road racers the soft touch needed on the pedals. Guthries uniform and driving shoes remind fans that she was the first woman to compete at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, finishing 15th in the 1976 World 600. April 28 -13 days until opening Jimmie Johnson's four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Trophies With 13 days until opening, the NASCAR Hall of Fame today announced four prominent historic items to be on display at the 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction Jimmie Johnsons four NASCAR Sprint Cup SeriesTM Trophies. The reigning four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion has loaned his four personal trophies to the venue for six months. "The NASCAR Hall of Fame is going to have so many cool things, showing the history of our sport. I was definitely humbled that they asked for something of mine to display, said Johnson. Its an honor for me and the whole 48 Lowes team. I hope fans appreciate seeing the trophies up close. I know how special they are to me, and Ive certainly enjoyed seeing them the past four years. While the NASCAR Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR, a current item such as Johnsons trophies recognizes the importance of history in the making. Eight years ago today, Johnson captured his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win on April 28, 2002 at California Speedway, and since then, he has earned a spot in the record books as the only driver to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championships (2006-2009). April 29 -12 days until opening Grand opening of the Buffalo Wild Wings at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar is one of the Top 10 fastest-growing restaurant chains in the country. Adjacent to the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a new 8,400 square-foot Buffalo Wild Wings which officially opens today. The restaurant features 14 signature sauces. The NASCAR Hall of Fame complex features the new restaurant, a 5,800-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop retail outlet, a NASCAR Media Group-operated TV & radio broadcast studio, 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. April 30 - 11 days until opening NASCAR Hall of Fame launches contest and announces names of NASCAR superstars set to participate in grand opening NASCAR Hall of Fame officials released the names of NASCAR drivers, owners and executives planning to participate in the Tuesday, May 11 grand opening of the 150,000-square-foot facility in uptown Charlotte, N.C. As part of the historic day, 15 lucky customers will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame with a NASCAR celebrity. Fifteen winners will be randomly selected from the names of everyone who has purchased an annual membership or ticket to visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 11. Tickets must be purchased before 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 4. The first five names drawn will get the unique honor of being the first to walk into the new NASCAR Hall of Fame at 10 a.m. Those five lucky fans will be accompanied by Inaugural Inductees Richard Petty and Junior Johnson, three-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion Darrell Waltrip, 5-time NASCAR Grand National Champion Jack Ingram and reigning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Ron Hornaday. The remaining 10 names drawn will get to enter the venue with a well-known NASCAR competitor at their respective entry time. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is a timed-entry facility, meaning customers enter by appointment at the top of every hour. The 10 lucky fans will enter with NASCAR superstars Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and others. Sweepstakes winners will be notified prior to May 11. Complete rules are available at www.NASCARHall.com. NASCAR Champions and special guests confirmed to participate in grand opening activities throughout the day include Bobby Allison, Johnny Benson, Greg Biffle, Todd Bodine, Chuck Bown, Busch, Richard Childress, Brian France, Steve Grissom, Harvick, Mike Helton, Rick Hendrick, Hornaday, Ingram, Dale Jarrett, Ned Jarrett, Johnson, Kahne, Travis Kvapil, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Bud Moore, Joe Nemechek, Petty, Mike Skinner, Rusty Wallace, Waltrip and Rex White. More names may be announced at a later date. May 1 - 10 days until opening Junior Johnsons Presidential Pardon and Photograph Junior Johnson, born Robert Glenn Johnson, Jr. in 1931, is almost as famous for running moonshine as he is for his racing career. A native of Wilkes County, N.C., Johnsons career includes 50 wins and 46 poles. He had even more success as an owner ranking second of all time with 139 victories. Prior to 1955, Johnson worked with his father by delivering moonshine but gave that up to be a full-time race car driver. In 1956, Johnson was caught working at his fathers still, convicted of producing illegal liquor and sent to prison. He was given a 2-year sentence but was pardoned eleven months later. His pardon provided by President Reagan and his photograph are on display in the Hall of Honor, the sacred area where NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees will be enshrined, celebrated and honored over the years. May 2 - 9 days until opening NASCAR Hall of Fame Hard Card Hosts and Experience Just like at the racetrack, NASCAR Hall of Fame visitors receive a Hard Card, an all-access pass to behind-the-scenes excitement and industry know-how. The Hard Card documents guests journey of the 150,000-square-foot, hi-tech, entertainment facility through a number of hands-on activities and interactive video screens. Guests can place their Hard Card on touch screens located throughout the NASCAR Hall of Fame and personalize their experience, create a profile and even choose one of nine NASCAR drivers to be their virtual host. Choose from Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, David Pearse, Jimmie Johnson, Junior Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Richard Petty, Tony Stewart or Darrell Waltrip. Once a guest returns home, they can visit NASCARHall.com/hardcard to revisit their NASCAR Hall of Fame experience and access their scores from the many interactive exhibits and video stations, one-of-a-kind photos from their visit, achievements and additional exhibit information. About NASCAR Hall of Fame Opening May 11, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., 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, includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 275-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. 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. www.NASCARHall.com