Kannapolis set for Earnhardt tribute

CONCORD, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt's hometown will pay homage to its racing hero during the "Kannapolis Celebrates a Legend" activities Oct. 9 through Oct 14.

	Dale Earnhardt. Credit: ASP

In development since March of 2001, the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Center, located in the Cannon Village Visitor Center in Kannapolis, N.C., will host several activities over the six-day period. A show featuring the art of Sam Bass kicks off the festivites on the ninth, and an Earnhardt statue unveiling will conclude the program on the 14th.

Bass will unveil three more Earnhardt paintings from his collection to add to the Tribute Center exhibit, which already features 12 of his pieces. Each of the additional pieces will be wall size.

"There is no other artist who knew Dale Earnhardt personally and recorded so much of his career through his artwork," said John Lequire, who served on the artist selection committee and is chairman of the Tribute Steering Committee. "This Tribute would not have happened without the time and talent Sam is giving; and will continue to give for many years."

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The statue unveiling, that will take place at 10 a.m. on Oct. 14, features the work of sculptor Clyde Ross Morgan. The nine-foot bronze sculpture was created with input from Dale's wife, Teresa, and the Earnhardt Family.

Members of the Earnhardt family will be in attendance for the ceremony. Also, Los Angeles, Calif., businessman and Kannapolis business owner David Murdock will speak. Murdock donated $200,000 to pay for the creation of the statue.