KNOXVILLE, IOWA (May 2, 2009) - It's official. the second floor of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum in Knoxville is now 100% complete. The "grand opening" took place last night, with museum executive director Bob Baker, Mary Van Zante of the Pella Rolscreen Foundation, Steve Bott of the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, and the Ambassadors of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce performing the ceremonial ribbon-cutting honors. Also amongst the hundreds on hand were Don Lamberti, retired executive of Casey's General Stores, museum board president Mike Brooks, National Sprint Car Hall of Famers Ralph Capitani, Shane Carson, Bert Emick, Bob Trostle, "Speedy" Bill Smith, and Doug Wolfgang, and 'Class of 2009' inductee Allan Brown.
According to Bob Baker, "We really want to thank everyone who turned out last night to be present for the official opening of our new Library and Research Center, 42-seat Theatre funded by a gift from the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame presented by the Pella Rolscreen Foundation. There are way too many people who have had a real part in getting us to this point to mention them all, but certainly our founding board members, past and current board members, and past and present Marion County Fair board members should all be very, very proud. Somehow it seems appropriate that yesterday was also curator Tom Schmeh's twentieth anniversary with the non-profit museum foundation. And it is truly tragic that we lost long-time volunteer and advisory board member Duane Davis yesterday, as a completed second floor was also his dream."
Those wanting more information on the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, which is open seven days a week, year-round, are encouraged to visit its web site at www.sprintcarhof.com or call 641-842-6176. The museum's on-line store is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at
www.sprintcarstuff.com.
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