From Moonshine to Finish Line: Corvette Museum Showcases History of NASCAR with New Exhibit

Well before modified race cars plastered with sponsor logos took to oval tracks across the country, small, fast stock cars could be seen speeding around the Appalachian region carrying bootleg whiskey, attempting to evade police. Drivers would modify their cars to make them quick and nimble, maximizing speed as well as space to carry their precious cargo. The sport of “runnin’ shine” eventually evolved and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was officially founded in 1948 by Bill France, Sr. Today the sport is second to the NFL among professional sports franchises when it comes to television ratings in the United States.

The National Corvette Museum’s Exhibit Hall is hosting a special exhibit to pay homage to the sport, from its early roots of moonshine running, to today’s multi-billion dollar industry. The exhibit includes 14 cars from a 1940s Moonshine runner, to recent race winners. The line-up includes: #3 - Dale Earnhardt Wheaties Chevrolet 1997 Monte Carlo; #3 - Junior Johnson 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS; #6 - Mark Martin 1994 Valvoline Ford; #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS; #16 - Greg Biffle 2013 3M (1,000th NASCAR win for Ford); #17 - Darrell Waltrip Tide 1987 Monte Carlo; #24 - Jeff Gordon DuPont Fire & Flames Design, 2005 Monte Carlo; #27 - 1953 Corvette NASCAR; #43 - Richard Petty 1986/87 Pontiac Aero; #48 - Jimmie Johnson Lowe’s Power of Pride Design 2003 Monte Carlo; #72 - Benny Parsons 1973 Chevelle, Winston Cup Winner; #88 – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 2008 Impala SS; and #97 - Kurt Busch 2004 Nextel Championship Winning Taurus.

The special exhibit opened Friday, May 15 and runs through Sunday, September 13. It is included with regular Museum admission. To learn more about each car and see photos, visit www.nascarexhibit.org.

National Corvette Museum Announces Car Part Art Exhibit, Solicits Entries

In an effort to promote recycling and reuse, the National Corvette Museum is hosting a special "Car Part Art" exhibit September 18, 2015 through January 8, 2016 featuring works created from recycled car parts. Applications to exhibit are now being accepted with a $20 fee. Artists have until July 31 to apply to participate, and finished works will be accepted August 1 until August 31. Schools, businesses, non-profits, teams and individual artists are invited to submit ideas for consideration.

"We have seen a number of cool pieces of art made from everything from hub caps to tires and thought that doing our own exhibit would be a great way to not only convert trash to treasure, but also create an amazing display in our Exhibit Hall," said Katie Frassinelli, Museum Marketing & Communications Manager.

The Museum is working with guest curator Andee Rudloff to secure artists and develop the exhibit. "The response to this exhibit from the arts community has been great! I think visitors will be impressed with the caliber of works on display," Rudloff added.

Rudloff will also be working to secure around ten featured artists for the exhibit. Sponsorships are available for the featured pieces, and the sponsor businesses have the option to display the piece after the Museum's exhibit closes in January.

Artists and businesses interested in getting involved can visit www.carpartart.org to view and download information and registration forms.

In addition to the contest and featured works, the Museum has partnered with Michelin, the Official Tire of the National Corvette Museum and NCM Motorsports Park, to display several entries from the InTIREnational Art Contest. The contest, held in Upstate, South Carolina, near Michelin’s headquarters in Greenville, challenged schools, businesses and nonprofits to convert ordinary, scrap tires into extraordinary works of art. Michelin awarded $10,000 to two local charities on behalf of the winning artworks. The works to be displayed include an Eiffel Tower, dragon, Nelson Mandela sculpture and more.

The National Corvette Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is located at 350 Corvette Drive in Bowling Green, KY just off I-65 exit 28 and is open daily, 8am to 5pm CT. Learn more about the Museum at www.corvettemuseum.org.

An Out of This World Experience at the Corvette Museum

 

Comets, Asteroids, Meteors: Great Balls of Fire Exhibit presented by U.S. Bank, running from February 6 - May 10, 2015

How did our solar system form? What are comets and asteroids made of? Why did the dinosaurs go extinct? The Great Balls of Fire: Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors exhibit at the National Corvette Museum, presented by U.S. Bank, answers these questions and many more in an interactive experience that's out of this world!

“The Great Balls of Fire Exhibit is very hands on, informative and makes learning fun for all ages,” said Education Coordinator, Kellie Steen. “Each year we bring a kid, family and school-group focused exhibit to the Museum to provide additional educational opportunities. We appreciate the support of U.S. Bank to help bring this special exhibit to Bowling Green.”

Asteroids and comets are messengers from space that have had a significant effect on Earth's history and are likely to influence the future as well. Visitors make comparison between the risk of asteroid or comet impacts and the risk of more familiar natural disasters such as tsunamis, tornados, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The exhibit weaves in stories of individual scientists whose work has furthered the study of asteroids and comets. Scientists, whose formative years included amateur explorer activities, will also be highlighted. There is something to learn for visitors of all ages.

“U.S. Bank contributes to the strength and health of our communities by supporting projects in the areas of education, economic opportunity, and artistic and cultural enrichment,” said U.S. Bank Regional President Craig Browning. “We are proud to partner with the National Corvette Museum to bring this special exhibit to South Central Kentucky.”

A visit to the National Corvette Museum is like enjoying two museums in one. Groups will get to experience not only the special Great Balls of Fire exhibit, but also Corvette displays - an important part of Kentucky and American history, and a KidZone with automotive-themed activities. The Museum offers self-guided tours, or guided tour are available for groups of 10 or more.

This special exhibit will be held in the Museum’s Exhibit Hall from February 6 - May 10, 2015.
For more info on this or other upcoming exhibits at the museum, visit the website at www.corvettemuseum.org or contact the museum at 270-781-7973.

Two-Wheel Speed at the National Corvette Museum

 

Museum presents exhibit featuring Motorcycles over the years

Corvettes may be the best thing on four wheels, but what about our two-wheel friends? Starting on Saturday, September 21, the National Corvette Museum presents a unique exhibit featuring over 40 amazing motorcycles of various makes, models and eras. The bikes on display range from the classic American Harley to foreign bikes such as Kawasakis and Yamahas.

Some of these two-wheel speedsters include:

1975 Harley Davidson Prototype MX 350 (on loan from Cody Tellis of Bultacowest)
In 1975 Harley Davidson was looking to get into the dirt bike market.  Some 200 250cc machines were produced but only one 350cc was made.  This is that bike.  Rediscovered in Waco, Texas where the factory used to test their machines, the prototype was said to ride like a hobby horse and the project was scrapped.  Bultacowest was called a number of years ago by an aging lady who wished to sell her Harley to the business to be restored; when informed that Bultacowest didn’t restore Harleys, she asked that the establishment allow an old lady to tell her story.  Understandably once this amazing story was shared, they bought the bike!

1966 Bridgestone Special Racer 175cc (on loan from Phil Wheeler)
This is the original motorcycle that won the 1966 Daytona Sportsman 200 Road Race, confirming Bridgestone as a threat to the BIG FOUR (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki). This motorcycle was ridden by Dwayne Williams who was victorious over at least 23 contenders of various manufacturers. The winner of this race gained bragging rights as having the best motorcycle built in speed and endurance. Most authorities agree that only 150 SR175 racers were ever produced and less than 10% of those remain today.

Pratt & Miller Motus MST-R, developed with Corvette ties (on loan from Motus Motorcycles)
The Motus MST series of comfortable sportbikes were developed with the help of Motus partners, Pratt & Miller Engineering, who support GM's successful Factory Corvette Racing, Cadillac Racing, Daytona Prototype, Camaro GT, NASCAR, and IndyCar efforts.  Drawing on this racing heritage, the MST's have chromoly space frames, extensive use of carbon fiber and real American muscle. 

This particular prototype has the world's first gasoline direct injected (GDI) 4 stroke motorcycle engine and the first V4 ever used on an American motorcycle. The 1650cc (100ci) V4 "Baby Block" engine is heavily inspired by LS small block design using a 90 degree V, cam-in-block, OHV with pushrods, and hydraulic lifters.

1967 Triumph Bonneville T120R, world land speed record holder in 1966 (on loan from Keith Bemerer)
Named the “World Landspeed Record Holder” in 1966 when two Triumph engines were strapped together and raced at Bonneville Salt Flats, UT.  Triumph started production on the “Bonneville,” bike in 1959. This particular motorcycle was purchased in 1968 and has been in the Bemerer family since.

1928 Indian 101 (on loan from Brent Askins)
The Scout 101 was one of the fastest and most popular bikes of its time.  Today it is one of the most collectible. A true barn find from the summer of 2011, the bike has never been painted or restored cosmetically, but is mechanically sound and is ridden regularly. The barn this prize was found in held a variety of bikes, mostly antique scooters. Another wooden building on the property held many cars, including four Corvettes - a ’63, ‘62, ‘58 and a prized ‘54.

 “At the National Corvette Museum, we strive to bring new and innovative exhibits to our facility. While our main focus is and will always be the Corvette, America’s Sports Car, we love shaking things up a bit and introducing something new to our visitors,” said NCM Executive Director, Wendell Strode.  “No two visits to the Museum are the same, and with exhibits like this featuring motorcycles, we hope to bring in folks who might not have otherwise visited.  This exposes them to the Corvette lifestyle and creates new enthusiasts,” Strode added.

The Museum will continue to welcome motorcycles in 2014 with the grand opening of the Motorsports Park.  The Park is currently under construction and plans to host events not only for Corvettes, but also motorcycles and other model cars. For more information on this project, please visit the NCM Motorsports Park website.

This exhibit will run from Saturday, September 21, 2013 through Friday, January 3, 2014. For more information on this exhibit and a peak at a few of the bikes on display, please visit our website.

Exhibit “Makes Cents” at the National Corvette Museum

Money isn’t just about dollars and cents.

The ancient Aztecs used chocolate for money, and Yap islanders used 500-lb. stones! So what is money and how does it work?  PNC Bank presents Moneyville, a special hands-on exhibit at the National Corvette Museum offering a tour of money’s many forms and functions with a lesson on how it has changed dramatically throughout history.

Guests at the Museum will see samples of currency from pounds to pesos, have the opportunity to put their face on a million dollar bill, play the stock market and even run a lemonade stand.  Moneyville, on loan from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, uses the fascinating subject of money to build math skills and economic expertise in a fun, immersive setting.  The colorful city includes a PNC Bank, store, anti-counterfeiting lab, stock market and international port.

Create your own “money,” explore anti-counterfeiting measures and see what a million dollars looks like.  Throughout the exhibit, discover how money is made, spent, earned and saved, and how it connects people around the world.  Explore the history, science and culture behind coins and currency and start to see money in a whole new way.

A recent study by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics reveals that many students are not learning the math they need in school.  That’s where Moneyville comes in.  “This exhibit makes learning cool,” said NCM Education Coordinator Kellie Steen.  “Whiz-bang computer games, a multitude of video screens, and eye-popping graphics engage kids (and adults) in a variety of hands-on activities that show them that using math is fun.”  The temporary exhibit joins the Museum’s existing hands-on educational displays, including the interactive driving simulators and new KidZone.  “Visitors to the Museum will get to see our 70+ Corvettes on display; spend time in our KidZone with Pat’s Super Service Center, assembly line and drive-in movie; and take our simulators out for a test drive in addition to this special exhibit.  It’s like two Museums in one,” Steen added.

In addition to the exhibit sponsorship, PNC Bank is providing a number of educational opportunities for children and adults, offering seminars and workshops on a variety of financial literacy topics.  “According to a report by the Consumer Federation of America, the average U.S. family is spending more than $1,000 per year in interest and fees,” said Museum Marketing Manager Katie Frassinelli.  “Everyone stands to gain from learning how to be more money-savvy, and we are excited about the financial literacy seminars PNC Bank will be offering at the Museum.  They will be sharing great money-management tips for our visitors.”  A Moneyville Camp for kids is also planned for March 7-8.

PNC Bank founded the Grow Up Great program, helping to prepare children from birth to age five for success in school and life.  As part of the program they partnered with Sesame Workshop to create Math On-The-Go! Cards, offering fun ways for children and their parents to explore math in their everyday routines.  These bi-lingual cards are incorporated into the Moneyville exhibit, and children have the opportunity to take some home from the exhibit.  The cards can also be downloaded from their website at: http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com/parents_caregivers/happy_healthy_ready_for_school.html

The National Corvette Museum is open seven days a week, 8am-5pm Central Time. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and over, $5 for youth age 6-16, and children age 5 and under are free.  The Museum also offers family admission for $25 for everyone in a household.  PNC Bank customers receive special pricing when showing a bank card or other proof.  Group rates are also available with advanced reservations.  For more information, visit www.corvettemuseum.org or call 270-781-7973.  To get the latest information on exhibits, upcoming events, camps and more – sign up to receive our Community Events & Activities email on our website.

MONEYVILLE was produced and is toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.  The exhibit was made possibly with funds provided by the National Science Foundation.  MONEYOPOLIS is a registered trademark of Ernst & Young. The MONEYVILLE trademark is used under license.