Reagan's jacket from '84, France nameplate in Hall

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NASCAR Hall of Fame opens May 11 and to celebrate the final 50 days until the opening, news is revealed each day at www.nascarhall.com/50days.

A recap of reveals for April 12-18:

About the Hall

The Hall of Fame will bring NASCAR's history to life and preserves that history in the appropriate environments. The facility will allow fans to have the opportunity to relive the sport's greatest moments.

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Monday, April 12
• 29 days until opening: Country singer Lee Brice to perform free concert

NASCAR Hall of Fame officials announced a second free concert planned for the May 11 grand opening of the 150,000-square-foot entertainment attraction in Uptown Charlotte, N.C.

Country-music singer/songwriter Lee Brice, a native of South Carolina, will perform a free concert at 2 p.m. ET on May 11 on the Ceremonial Plaza of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Brice is currently touring with superstar Clay Walker and has an album scheduled to release on June 8 featuring his current hit single Love Like Crazy. The Curb Records artist wrote Garth Brooks' More Than a Memory and Tim McGraw's hit single Still.

Tuesday, April 13
• 28 days until opening: Ronald Reagan's NASCAR jacket (1984)

Ronald Reagan, the first sitting president to attend a NASCAR event, was presented a NASCAR jacket when he attended the Pepsi Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 4, 1984.

Giving the command to start engines while still in the air aboard Air Force 1, Reagan was presented the jacket the same day of Richard Petty's 200th victory. Reagan also provided color commentating on MRN with Ned Jarrett. Not new to the race world, Reagan was a race announcer at the Des Moines, Iowa Fairgrounds during the 1930s. As with any political commemorative items such as the jacket, it was left behind for the ISC Archives. Reagan's NASCAR jacket is on display in Heritage Speedway.

Wednesday, April 14
• 27 days until opening: The NASCAR Hall of Fame will feature eight iRacing simulators.

Known as the Iceman, Terry Labonte lent his championship expertise to the NASCAR Hall of Fame's race simulators. The simulators were designed by SSG/Brandintense, which is co-owned by Labonte. In addition to the company's role in developing the cars, Labonte recently stopped by the NASCAR Hall of Fame to test the exhibit.

The interactive exhibit gives fans of all levels a chance to get behind the wheel and feel the race experience from a driver's perspective. Once inside the cockpit, guests are treated to an authentic racing experience through iRacing software. The company prides itself in some of the most authentic racing simulations on the market. Dale Earnhardt Jr. consulted in the software development to help ensure its authenticity. Guests will be able to race on NASCAR's speedways and road courses while shifting gears, maneuvering pit road and getting feedback from spotters.

Located in Race Week, the simulators feature the paint schemes of the top seven drivers in the 2009 Sprint Cup Series point standings and one with the NASCAR Hall of Fame design from renowned motorsports artist Sam Bass.

Thursday, April 15
• 26 days until opening: Stanley Steamer "Rocket" items from 1906

The Stanley Steamer "Rocket" exhibit features some of the oldest artifacts dating to 1906. Driver Fred Marriott raced his steam-powered car to a world land speed record of 127.66 mph in Ormond Beach, Fla., in 1906. The car became airborne on a rough patch of sand and flipped high into the air at the end of the race in 1907, leaving only a few pieces. The relics on exhibit include the Steamer's steering tiller, two small hub caps and a wheel hub among other items.

Guests can learn more about pre-NASCAR history in Heritage Speedway at the Pre-NASCAR Theater which explores the history of the automobile prior to the inception of NASCAR in 1947.

Friday, April 16
• 25 days until opening: Donnie Allison's helmet from the 1979 Daytona 500

Two events made the 1979 Daytona 500 a landmark moment in the history of NASCAR. First, it received the first flag-to-flag television coverage of a NASCAR race. The weather also became a factor in the television audience numbers viewing the race. With no cable television at the time, the inclement weather on the East Coast created an interest for viewers to tune in.

Also during this infamous day, the "fight" to win the 1979 Daytona 500 was on between Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough. After crashing into each other, words were exchanged between Allison and Yarborough. With emotions becoming intense, Bobby Allison stopped to check on brother Donnie and offer him a ride back to the garage area. Never one to miss an opportunity, Richard Petty raced to the win in 1979. Donnie Allison's helmet is on display in Heritage Speedway.

Saturday, April 17
• 24 days until opening: Country duo Bomshel set to add to free concert lineup at grand opening

Even more show-stopping entertainment has been confirmed to take center stage during the NASCAR Hall of Fame grand opening festivities. New additions to the star-studded roster of performers include the 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus at 10 a.m. ET and country-music duo Bomshel at 5 p.m. ET, leading up to the Love and Theft concert at 7 p.m. ET.

SPEED kicks off its support of the historic NASCAR Hall of Fame induction with a series of one-hour specials celebrating each of the five members of the inaugural class:

Inductee	Date	Time (ET)
Bill France	April 16	9:30 p.m.
Bill France Jr.	April 23	8:30 p.m.
Junior Johnson	April 30	10 p.m.
Richard Petty	May 8	2:30 p.m.
Dale Earnhardt	May 14	11 p.m.

"These exceptional acts are really adding to the anticipation of the grand opening," said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "Along with the talented artists we've already announced, the All-American Chorus and Bomshel are going to bring some extra excitement to the table on May 11. This celebration is set to be a great show for our guests and the community and a one-of-a-kind chance to meet NASCAR drivers, enjoy free entertainment and experience the NASCAR Hall of Fame."

Sunday, April 18
• 23 days until opening: Bill France Sr.'s office name plate with, then child, Bill France Jr.'s handwritten signature

Founded by his father Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr. took the presidency of NASCAR in 1972. On Bill France Sr.'s desk sat a marble name plate. While only still a child, Bill France Jr. wrote on his father's nameplate, "Bill Jr. was here." Unbeknownst to the child at the time, Bill France Jr. went on to become the second leader of NASCAR following in his father's footsteps. He led NASCAR into the era of success for which it is known today.

The marble desk nameplate that sat on top of Bill France Sr.'s desk during the early days of NASCAR can be seen in Heritage Speedway at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Though Bill France Jr. may be considered even more famous than his father, both are represented in this unique and endearing artifact.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame team will continue to reveal one feature of the facility daily at www.NASCARHall.com/ 50days.

Fans also are invited to participate in a 50-day countdown contest. A trivia question will be posted each morning on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Twitter page (@NASCARHall). The lucky fan who posts the first correct response to @NASCARHall will win a NASCAR Hall of Fame prize pack.

Opening ceremonies for the NASCAR Hall of Fame begin at 9 a.m. ET May 11. The one-hour ceremony will culminate with NASCAR celebrities, elected officials and other dignitaries officially opening the interactive venue. The opening ceremony will be followed by a free community celebration outside the NASCAR Hall of Fame from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. In addition to the concerts, other activities will include NASCAR celebrities, question-and-answer sessions, strolling entertainment and food vendors.

Related:
• Items 50-44: Waltrip title car among early reveal of Hall items
• Items 43-37: Jarrett's race-day jacket, Evans No. 61 part of Hall
• Items 36-30: Fireball Roberts' jacket, Scott's Ford door in HOF