Charlotte Motor Speedway Kicks Off 60th Anniversary Season with Team Penske
27 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffCharlotte Motor Speedway began its historic 60th anniversary season in dynamic style on Monday, with Team Penske drivers Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney joining Wood Brothers Racing’s Matt DiBenedetto and world-class Chef Robert Irvine for a host of announcements and preseason festivities.
Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith and Greg Walter, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s executive vice president and general manager, unveiled an agglomeration of attractions for the upcoming season.
Highlights included:
- Elvis Presley’s iconic pink Cadillac at the April 2-5 Pennzoil AutoFair
- Every ticket to the May 16 NASCAR All-Star Race is a pit pass
- Chris Janson's pre-race concert at the All-Star Race
- Chef Irvine’s exclusive Coca-Cola 600 suite menu
- Details on a Mission 600 visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
“When my dad (Bruton Smith) started to move dirt out here on what was a farm in 1959, I’m not sure he ever imagined it would be this big,” Smith said. “He’s got a great vision for big things, but I think what’s happened (with Charlotte Motor Speedway) in the last six decades is just the start of what we’ll see going forward in the next 60 years.”
Logano, the 2016 NASCAR All-Star Race winner and a past winner of the speedway’s 500-mile Bank of America fall race, believes Charlotte Motor Speedway’s penchant for innovation has made it a trendsetter for six decades and counting.
“The way they don’t have a fear to try something new is what sets (Speedway Motorsports) apart and in general, more Charlotte Motor Speedway,” Logano said. “There’s a lot of great things that came from the ROVAL™. … There’s just something going on here all the time and I think that’s key. You see it at a lot of race tracks today and I think it started here.”
With Team Penske having succeeded at each of Charlotte’s premier races, the challenge placed on Logano, Keselowski and Blaney for 2020 is simple: earn Team Penske’s first Coca-Cola 600 victory since 2010.
“As a Coca-Cola driver, what it means to Coke to have one of us win, I know it’s a big deal because I’ve seen it and I’ve heard about it plenty of times,” Logano said. “It’s one of the iconic races that we have. We look at it as a crown jewel.”
TICKETS:
For tickets to all of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s events, including the 60th anniversary running of the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.
FOLLOW US:
Keep track of all of Charlotte Motor Speedways attractions and events by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.
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The 2020 schedule is going to be an exciting one for Macon Speedway, as it’s the 75th season of racing at the 1/5-mile high banked dirt oval. One new addition to the schedule is “Jack Hewitt Night”, set for Saturday, May 9 as the open wheel cars of POWRi make their first appearance of the season.
Hewitt is a two-time champion of the USAC Silver Crown Series as well as a former titlist of the All Star Circuit of Champions. In addition, Hewitt was the 1998 winner of the Eldora 4-Crown Nationals, winning features in USAC Sprints, Midgets, and Silver Crown as well as the UMP Modifieds.
Those who did not have the pleasure of watching Hewitt race may know him from the heated video interview that has gone viral on the web. The interview, laced with some NSFW language, has been viewed over 1,000,000 times on Facebook alone. It has also led to a line of apparel and souvenirs. That interview just happened to take place at, you guessed it, Macon Speedway.
The May 9th event at Macon Speedway will feature Hewitt as the grand marshal. He will be on hand, greeting fans, selling books and apparel, signing autographs, telling stories, and taking in some great Macon Speedway action.
The POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League, POWRi Micros, Big Ten Pro Late Models, BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds, and Hornets are scheduled to race.
For more information and further updates, visit www.maconracing.com.
Macon Speedway PR
Our Motorsports Welcomes Joe Williams as the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series Crew Chief for the No. 02 Chevrolet
27 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffOur Motorsports welcomes NASCAR veteran Crew Chief, Joe Williams, for the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Williams joins Our Motorsports, after Crew Chiefing in the NASCAR Cup Series for the last couple years, most recent at StarComing Racing for Landon Cassill, last year.
“I am excited to join Our Motorsports for the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Both Chris Our, the team owner, and Andy Seuss, have built great programs over the years, between racing modifieds, competing in the ARCA Menards Series, and now the NASCAR Xfinity Series. We have a lot of work to do to prepare for the season, but look forward to starting off strong at the season opener at Daytona International Speedway,” said Crew Chief Joe Williams.
"Bringing Joe on board was a huge benefit for this team," commented Competition Director, Andy Seuss. "To have his experience, knowledge and leadership is already paying off. We have great cars and great engines, Joe was the missing piece to having this team compete at a competitive level this season."
On track activity for the NASCAR Xfinity Series begins February 14th at Daytona International Speedway. For more information on Our Motorsports, follow along on social media; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. For information on sponsorship opportunities, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Crew chief Waddell Wilson’s storybook career takes him to the NASCAR Hall of Fame
27 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffListening to Waddell Wilson share cherished stories about his NASCAR career – his humble start and his most celebrated moments – it all sound like pages from a NASCAR Hall of Fame novel or movie script. But this is real life from a bona fide legend. And he is now a NASCAR Hall of Famer.
Raised on a farm in rural Bakersville, North Carolina, Wilson started his career at the legendary Holman-Moody engine shop as a young man after working briefly as a diesel mechanic. He finished his career as one of the most acclaimed crew chief and mechanical minds in the sport – earning three Daytona 500 victories.
This week, Wilson, 83, will become only the fourth crew chief formalized into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He joins drivers Buddy Baker, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart and team owner Joe Gibbs in the esteemed 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame class.
“It never crossed my mind I would receive anything like this and I was okay with that,’’ Wilson said of his NASCAR Hall of Fame nod. “I never did things for the spotlight. But to get this, this is an unbelievable honor. It’s something I never thought about, but it is so big for my family and I. Just unreal.’’
For Wilson and so many of the sport’s early crew chiefs, understanding race cars was a self-taught trade with a lot of hard knocks lessons. But word got around pretty quickly that Wilson was an exceptional talent.
“I guess the main thing was I was a perfectionist and wanted everything as perfect as I could make it,’’ Wilson said. “I was raised on a farm and my grandfather was like that and he taught me to be like that.’
Wilson’s days at Holman Moody were akin to racing’s version of a Harvard education back “in the day,” as they say.
Wilson’s first job as crew chief in NASCAR’s premier Cup Series was a one-race shot in 1979 with Harry Rainier’s team. Fittingly, fellow 2020 NASCAR Hall of Famer Buddy Baker was the driver of that team’s No. 28 Chevrolet, winning the pole position in the high-profile Daytona International Speedway summer race that marked Wilson’s crew chief debut.
The next year Wilson got a second shot and was Baker’s crew chief at the 1980 Daytona 500. The two won that race from pole position and it remains, understandably, one of the greatest afternoons of Wilson’s life. His genuine love of the sport is evident when he re-tells stories like these. Asked if he had just one memory that stands out in his storied career and Wilson conceded, that would be impossible.
But winning his first race as crew chief – in the sport’s biggest race - seems certainly among Wilson’s most cherished times in the sport.
He remembers all the small details – like, for example, that there were only three people working in the Harry Rainer team shop during the offseason leading into the 500. That means a lot of work for the small group and Wilson’s first big project was getting the body of the car ready. He sent it off to a local body shop with some specific instructions on contouring it.
“But, I picked it up from the shop and they sent me a bill for $10,000,’’ Wilson recalled. “I thought, now that will get me fired.
“And the thing about it was, they were not doing it right and I should have never paid the bill. You could have bought four or five race cars for that kind of money back then. So it really ruined my week when we went to Daytona.
“But, the car was as fast as I was hoping it would be.’’
The hood of that No. 28 was painted with bright Day-Glo colors, Wilson recalled. “Because we’d be coming up so fast on drivers they wouldn’t see us coming.’’
He remembers specifically, Baker coming into the pits during a caution in the waning laps. Wilson calmly leaned all the way in the window and told the veteran Baker to have patience – the team was going to do a quick fuel-only stop but Baker, in position to score his first Daytona 500 victory, reminded his friend, “I’ve been patient for 19 years.’’
The team’s biggest competition that afternoon, Bobby Allison, pitted at the same time to get two tires and fuel. The fast stop put Baker back out front. Then a caution came out with two laps to go with Baker leading. The race finished under yellow and Baker and Wilson got to hoist their first Daytona 500 trophy.
The pair’s efforts resulted in Baker leading a race-best 143 of the 200 laps and that engine that Wilson fine-tuned provided an average race speed of 177.602 mph - a Daytona 500 record to this day.
“We get in victory lane and [team owner] Harry Rainier was in there with me and one of the NASCAR officials walked over and said, ‘You guys set a record and you’ve won $103,000.’
“I said, ‘No Harry, you’ve won $93,000 because we paid for that race car,’’’ Wilson says, able to laugh at the situation all these years later.
It would be the first of three Daytona 500 trophies for Wilson as a crew chief. He led another NASCAR Hall of Famer driver Cale Yarborough to back-to-back Daytona 500 wins in 1983 and 1984.
In all, Wilson earned 22 wins as a crew chief spread over 14 seasons. In 1981, he set a personal season-high mark leading Bobby Allison to five race victories.
During his career, he served as crew chief on cars driven by Hall of Famers such as Baker, Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip (1987), and Ricky Rudd (1990-91). His last victory as crew chef came at the legendary Darlington (S.C.) Raceway with Rudd in 1991.
He served as crew chief for Indy 500 champion Al Unser Jr.’s 1993 Daytona 500 start and he closed out his crew chief career working with Ricky Craven for the first five races of 1995.
Wilson’s drivers combined to win 32 pole positions – the first in Wilson’s Cup debut as crew chief in 1979 and the last with Rudd at Sonoma in 1991.
“Waddell could do anything,’’ said NASCAR Hall of Famer, three-time Cup champion Darrell Waltrip. “He was an engine builder first. He could be the crew chief, he could be the team manager, he just understood the sport.
“He and [fellow NASCAR Hall of Famer] Robert Yates and a bunch of those guys learned under Hulman-Moody, so they learned how to do everything. They were generalists, not really specialists. Although they had areas they could specialize in, there were other things they could do just as well.
“I think when you have a racing mentality and a high IQ like a lot of those guys do, you know what it takes to be successful with people and equipment and also how to call a race. There’s not that many people like that around anymore, the people that can do it all.’’
Five-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon will have the rare opportunity to win two prestigious international endurance races in the same week when he competes this weekend in Australia's famed Bathurst 12 Hour sports car race on the heels of winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona in record-setting fashion.
On Sunday, Dixon became just the 15th driver in Rolex 24 history to claim three overall victories at Daytona International Speedway. Only six drivers have won more.
Dixon, who drives the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, previously claimed Rolex 24 overall victories in 2006 and '15, and he was a class champion in '18. All of those wins came with Chip Ganassi's team, which did not field an entry this year.
Dixon won this Rolex 24 in Wayne Taylor Racing's No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R., co-driving with seven-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winner Ryan Briscoe, Renger van der Zande and Kamui Kobayashi. The overall win was the third in four years for Wayne Taylor's team.
Dixon and his teammates overcame a mid-race pit road penalty to set the Rolex 24 record for the most laps completed in 24 hours (833), breaking the mark of 808 set in 2018.
"For me, the biggest part of the story was how we all came to be part of the team," Dixon said after his first race with Wayne Taylor Racing. "Being part of the reigning race-winning team is probably the hardest thing you can do, because you are trying to repeat. You have that in the back of your mind the whole time.
"We had times during the race with adversity, but the team was able to rebound with strategy and the driver lineup just worked through it in a calm manner, which is hard to do. I've been a part of many 24-hour races in my career, but to come back from the many deficits we had in this race showed the absolute commitment from the team. I'm really proud to be part of the team, and I have to thank Chip (Ganassi) for letting me join Wayne (Taylor), Max (Angelelli) and everyone at Konica Minolta.
"We're winners, that's all that counts."
Dixon did not have much time to savor the Rolex 24 victory as he headed to Australia to see if he could pull off the endurance double in the same week.
In Australia, Dixon will co-drive the No. 76 Aston Martin of R-Motorsport with Jake Dennis and Rick Kelly. The race will begin Saturday at 1:45 p.m. ET.
Dixon wasn't the only NTT INDYCAR SERIES competitor celebrating Sunday in Daytona Beach, Florida. Ben Hanley and the DragonSpeed team won the LMP2 class title, Hanley's first win in the event. The team won last year's Rolex 24 class title, too, and DragonSpeed will have Hanley in its No. 81 10Star Chevrolet entry for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES' season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 15.
Also driving for DragonSpeed was Harrison Newey, whose father, Adrian, designed Indy cars that won series championships and Indianapolis 500s in the 1980s.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing also won a Rolex 24 title for the second consecutive year. This time, the GT Le Mans victory for BMW Team RLL went to the No. 24 BMW M8 GTE rather than the No. 25 entry which included Colton Herta, who drives the No. 88 Honda entry for Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
"Whoever thought we were just lucky to win last year were shown otherwise (Sunday)," team co-owner Bobby Rahal said. "That was a battle for 24 hours. The drivers did a fantastic job, and the same goes for the crew. We did not make any mistakes."
Prior to the season opener, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will be on track Feb. 11-12 with an open test at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. All 17 races will air on NBC and the NBC Sports Network.
IndyCar PR
AMS adding open concourse, 360 bar for 2020 NASCAR weekend
27 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffNASCAR fans will notice significant enhancements underneath the Earnhardt Grandstand during this year’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 weekend.
Atlanta Motor Speedway is opening part of its concourse and installing a brand-new 360 bar for fans to enjoy on race weekend. The enhancements are the 14th and 15th improvements to come from the Speedway’s 20 in 20 Initiative.
#14 – Open Concourse
AMS is opening up the area between the racing surface and its concession area underneath the Earnhardt Grandstand, making it more walkable and fan-friendly.
Plus, thanks to its “20 in 20” companion, the open concourse is certain to be one of the most popular places for fans to hang out during race weekend, with a clear view of the track, room to mingle, and of course the 360 bar.
#15 – Concourse Bar
Within the new open concourse will be the Speedway’s massive new concourse bar. Spanning 57 feet and wrapping around 360°, the concourse bar will be serving up drinks during the races and throughout the weekend.
This new concourse bar will open to serve any fan in the grandstand. AMS fans will also help make the bar complete by determining its name; AMS will be taking suggestions on social media and will have fans vote on which title is best suited to be affixed to the new bar.
“With the 20 in 20 Initiative we’ve challenged ourselves to come up with great new amenities for our fans to enjoy, and our new open concourse and bar are near the top of the list,” said Atlanta Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Hutchison. “If you enjoy cold drinks, hanging out with friends, and watching great NASCAR action, this’ll be the place to be this March.”
The open concourse and bar represent the 14th and 15th improvements to come from Atlanta Motor Speedway’s “20 in 20” initiative. All told the Speedway will be announcing 20 individual enhancements to increase fan value and the overall enjoyment of the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 NASCAR weekend on March 13-15.
Tickets and camping locations for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway are available now by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX or visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.
AMS PR
Charlotte Motor Speedway Prepares for Spectacular 60th Anniversary Season
27 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffCharlotte Motor Speedway’s historic 60th anniversary season will feature more spectacular events and family-friendly thrills than any year in the speedway’s illustrious history. From the 60th anniversary running of the iconic Coca-Cola 600 to the 36th NASCAR All-Star Race and the third running of the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400, fans flocking to Charlotte Motor Speedway will have a smorgasbord of speed to enjoy.
Here’s a quick look at some of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s coming attractions:
Pennzoil AutoFair
Thursday-Sunday, April 2-5, and Oct. 22-24
Two world-class car shows return to America’s Home for Racing this year, with the Pennzoil AutoFair bringing a colorful cavalcade of classics, customs and hot rods to Charlotte Motor Speedway April 2-5 and Oct. 22-24. The April 2-5 AutoFair will feature one of the world’s most famous American-made cars: Elvis Presley’s iconic, pink-and-white 1955 Cadillac synonymous with the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.
NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
Friday-Sunday, April 24-26
The thunderous roar of 44,000-horsepower excitement returns to zMAX Dragway for the April 24-26 NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. The stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ nitro categories will fight for the original four-wide Wally, a coveted trophy, at the Bellagio of drag strips,.
NASCAR All-Star Race
Saturday, May 16
The NASCAR All-Star Race on May 16 brings NASCAR’s biggest stars to the forefront for a no-holds-barred, wheel-to-wheel battle for $1 million. Even better: every ticket is a pre-race pit pass with access to the pre-race Chris Janson concert. Last year’s all-star tilt saw Kyle Larson become the first driver to win the Open and the All-Star Race in the same weekend. Will he reign supreme again, or will stars like Brad Keselowski or Chase Elliott bring home their first all-star crown?
Coca-Cola 600
Sunday, May 24
The 60th anniversary running of the nation’s most patriotic sports event will see defending winner Martin Truex Jr. chase his third Bruton Smith Trophy after 400 laps of day-to-night racing action in NASCAR’s toughest test of man and machine. Arrive early to take in an unparalleled pre-race Salute to the Troops.
Bank of America ROVAL™ 400
Sunday, Oct. 11
One of NASCAR’s most hotly anticipated events of the year, the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400, returns for its third iteration with a 2.28-mile, 17-turn challenge awaiting drivers hoping to advance to the Round of 8 in NASCAR’s playoffs. Two of the NASCAR Cup Series’ brightest rising stars – Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott – took the first two races. Can Jimmie Johnson, entering what will be his final Charlotte start, recapture the magic and bring home an unforgettable victory?
NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 25-27
The NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals roars into zMAX Dragway for a crucial Countdown to the Championship weekend, giving drivers and teams an opportunity to claim world championships.
Can-Am World Finals
Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 5-7
Dirt racing’s biggest showcase of speed and excitement returns, as the stars of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars, the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models and the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds converge on Charlotte’s four-tenths-mile dirt oval for the Nov. 5-7 Can-Am World Finals.
Speedway Christmas
November-January
The Carolinas’ most breathtaking holiday lights show, Speedway Christmas boasts more than 1,000 strands of 12-foot lights, new displays and more than 4 million lights around a 3.75-mile course including Charlotte Motor Speedway’s oval, infield and concourse. The speedway’s Christmas Village brings the holidays to life, with photos with Santa, drive-in movies, holiday foods, gifts and plenty of family-friendly fun.
Charlotte Motor Speedway 2020 schedule
February-November Cars and Coffee Concord cruise-in (every third Saturday except May and October)
April 2-5 Pennzoil AutoFair
April 24-26 NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
May 1-3 Epicenter Festival
May 15 North Carolina Education Lottery 200
May 16 All-Star Open
NASCAR All–Star Race
May 22 Spectrum Pole Night
General Tire 150
May 23 Alsco 300
United Rentals Patriot Nationals
May 24 Coca-Cola 600
June-July Summer Shootout (Mondays or Tuesdays)
June-August Outlaw Drag Wars (Fridays)
Aug. 15 Circle K Back-to-School Monster Truck Bash
Sept. 11 Laps for Life
Sept. 25-27 NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals
Oct. 10 Drive for the Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Oct. 11 Bank of America ROVAL™ 400
Oct. 22-24 Pennzoil AutoFair
Nov. 5-7 Can-Am World Finals
November-January Speedway Christmas
Nov. 27 Black Friday Blowout
TICKETS:
For tickets to all of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s events, including the 60th anniversary running of the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.
FOLLOW US:
Keep track of all of Charlotte Motor Speedways attractions and events by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.
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Breakout Country Music Superstar Chris Janson to Perform Electrifying Pre-Race Concert at the NASCAR All-Star Race
27 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffChris Janson, a singer/songwriter/
While only one driver will emerge victorious, each fan will feel like a winner with an unprecedented bevy of benefits awaiting ticketholders – including every ticket doubling as a pre-race pit pass providing access to the frontstretch concert and Trackside Live.
Janson – a platinum-selling recording artist, high-octane entertainer, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning talent – is poised to energize fans attending the biggest all-star event in sports. The thrilling pre-race festivities are sure to serve as a star-studded prelude to an unrivaled display of fender-banging, wheel-to-wheel, Saturday-night action at America’s Home for Racing.
“I’m thrilled to be performing at the pre-race concert,” Janson said. “I love NASCAR fans and fast cars. It’s going to be one big party!”
The 60-minute concert, located on pit road, will take place at approximately 5 p.m. on race day.
“The All-Star Race was made for the fans,” said Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter. “With Chris Janson’s spectacular pre-race concert and more pre-race fan access than ever before, this year’s all-star showcase of speed, excitement and million-dollar drama will captivate fans of all ages.”
TICKETS:
Tickets to the NASCAR All-Star Race – which include pre-race pit passes with access to the Chris Janson concert and Trackside Live – start at just $39 for adults. Kids 13 and under get in for just $10 with a paying adult. For tickets to all of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s events, including the 60th-anniversary running of the Coca-Cola 600, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.
FOLLOW US:
Keep track of all of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s events during its 60th anniversary season by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.
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From Graceland to Raceland: Elvis’ Pink Cadillac to Headline Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Pennzoil AutoFair
27 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffMove over, Richard Petty and Steve Kinser: another famous car belonging to “The King” is coming to Charlotte Motor Speedway. Elvis Presley’s™ pink-and-white 1955 Cadillac, the car most associated with “The King” and the birth of rock ‘n’ roll music, will roll into Charlotte Motor Speedway to serve as the centerpiece attraction for the April 2-5 Pennzoil AutoFair.
Other than a trip to London in 2015, the iconic Fleetwood sedan – recognized as one of the most famous American-made cars – has not been displayed outside of Memphis since Elvis Presley’s Graceland® opened for tours in 1982. Currently the car resides in the new Presley Motors exhibit in the Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment and exhibit complex across the street from Graceland.
Charlotte Motor Speedway, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, was no stranger to Presley during his remarkable career. Alongside Nancy Sinatra, Presley starred in the 1968 movie “Speedway,” which was filmed at Charlotte Motor Speedway. By then, Presley was a worldwide star.
“We are thrilled to join in celebrating the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 60th anniversary,” stated Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. “No doubt that Elvis would be delighted to support the celebration.”
As a struggling, 19-year-old singer in October 1954, Presley and his band began traveling from one performance to another by car. To make the hectic, grinding schedule work, band members often slept in the car between gigs when they weren’t taking a turn at the wheel. Band cars had to be large, comfortable, fast, and stylish, which narrowed the field in the mid-1950s to the powerful V-8 engine Lincolns and Cadillacs.
Contrary to legend, the famous pink ’55 Caddy was not The King’s first car as a traveling musician. In January 1955, Presley bought a 1951 Lincoln, which his bass player totaled in March. The singer replaced the Lincoln with a used, pink-and-white 1954 Cadillac that caught fire and burned on the side of the road in June. To keep Presley happy and mobile, his manager helped the singer finance a new Cadillac Series 60 Fleetwood Special on July 7, 1955.
Cadillac’s Fleetwood sedan came equipped that year with a 331ci, 250hp V-8 and HydraMatic automatic transmission. Measuring 227 inches from end to end, it was 2.5 inches longer than today’s Chevrolet Suburban full-size SUV and would seat six comfortably. It came standard with luxury equipment such as power windows, power brakes, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat for $4,728.
Presley’s four-door was loaded with optional air conditioning, dual-speaker radio, a pair of spotlights, and Cadillac’s high-tech Autronic-Eye sensor, which automatically dimmed the car’s headlights when it detected oncoming traffic. The Fleetwood could be ordered in one of 200 color combinations; Presley’s car was blue with a black roof when he bought it. He had the body repainted pink so the sedan would match the pink-and-black color scheme Presley had popularized with his suits.
On Sept. 2, when the car was less than two months old, the Caddy was in an accident while the band was performing in Texas. Presley had the Cadillac repaired and repainted in the now-familiar pink and white color scheme. He gave it to his mother Gladys, who had no driver’s license.
Today, any finned Cadillac painted pink has come to symbolize Elvis Presley’s early career and the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. Thousands of tribute cars – usually convertibles from the late 1950s driven by Elvis Tribute Artists and car collectors – can be seen around the world at car shows and in parades, but the original Elvis pink Cadillac will be on display during all four days of the April 2–5 Pennzoil AutoFair at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
MORE INFO:
The Pennzoil AutoFair features more than 50 car club displays and more than 10,000 vendor spaces offering an array of automotive parts and memorabilia. More than 1,500 collectible vehicles of all makes and models will be available for sale in the car corral that rings the 1.5-mile superspeedway. In addition, kids can enjoy face-painting, bounce houses, and other games and entertainment in the Play Zone. Hours for the April 2-5 Pennzoil AutoFair are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
TICKETS:
Single-day tickets are $13 each day for adults. Admission is FREE for children 13 and under with an adult. A 4-Day Weekend Pass is available for just $32. To buy tickets, AutoFair attendees can call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267), shop online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com
FOLLOW US:
Keep track of Pennzoil AutoFair attractions and events by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.
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World-Class Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine Develops Exquisite Menu for Coca-Cola 600
27 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffRobert Irvine, a world-famous chef, author, philanthropist and military enthusiast, has increased his investment in motorsports by developing a premier menu for race fans to enjoy at the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Irvine – who served as the grand marshal for the 2018 Coca-Cola 600 – will feature similar culinary creations on race weekends at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway throughout the 2020 NASCAR season.
In advance of the 60th anniversary running of the Coca-Cola 600, below is a look at Irvine’s delectable race-day menu for the Memorial Day Weekend classic:
Robert Irvine’s Smoked Wing Sampler
Served with traditional Buffalo, sweet Thai chili and smoky barbecue sauce served with blue cheese dressing
Robert Irvine’s Coca-Cola Ribs
Brined pork ribs braised with house-made Coca-Cola barbecue sauce
Robert Irvine’s Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken
Featuring a white wine cream sauce and roasted seasonal vegetables
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Cavatappi pasta with creamy sharp white cheddar sauce
Robert Irvine’s Loaded Potato Salad
Packed and topped with bacon, chopped egg, cheddar cheese and green onions
Robert Irvine’s Green Salad
Fresh greens topped with Kalamata olives, red onions, feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes and pepperoncini served with Greek dressing.
Robert Irvine’s Salted Chocolate Pudding
Dark chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce and finished with sea salt
Bottomless Piedmont Snack Attack
Enjoy assortment of snacks including Levy Signature snack mix, cheese crackers and kettle-style potato chips with French onion dip-replenished throughout the day as needed
The Spirit of Hope Award-winning chef and founder of the Robert Irvine Foundation has hosted or appeared on Food Network shows including “Next Iron Chef,” “Restaurant Express,” “Chopped: Impossible,” “Guy’s Grocery Games: Impossible,” “A Hero’s Welcome” and “Food Network Star.”
Irvine, who became the first celebrity chef to open a restaurant in the Pentagon, has also received the accolade of being named United States Navy Honorary Chief Petty Officer due to his years of unfailing commitment to the military.
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