The Petersen gets NASCAR fever.
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
The greater LA county isn’t known for its preponderance of good ol’ boys, but that hasn’t stopped the Petersen Automotive Museum from launching an exhibit called: ‘NASCAR: 60 Years’ featuring a collection of NASCAR machines from the time when ‘proper’ American tracks were shaped like the President’s office.
In a spot of dodgy math, one car on show will be the 1940 Mercury once driven by Sam Packard. Other rides from over the years include those of Bobby Unser and Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR fans should find it a good way of seeing how the machines have evolved.
The event starts on Friday, February 15. On that following Sunday (the 17th), the museum is hosting a Fan Fest. It’s a Daytona 500 viewing party with racing simulators, a huge TV screen, music, interactive displays and more. This is all meant to whip up excitement in time for the West Coast premiere of NASCAR, when the Auto Club 500 will be held at the California Speedway in Fontana on February 24.
And just to show that the Petersen doesn’t take NASCAR too seriously, it will be showing ‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ on Wednesday, February 20, plus a meet ’n’ greet with the 2008 Daytona 500 winner. Tickets for this will be given away at the Fan Fest, or hopefuls can try their luck on www.myfoxla.com.
-- Colin Ryan