Hall of Fame offers unique opportunity to few fans

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR Hall of Fame officials released the names of NASCAR drivers, owners and executives planning to participate in the Tuesday, May 11, grand opening of the 150,000-square-foot facility.

As part of the historic day, 15 fans will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enter the Hall of Fame with a NASCAR celebrity.

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.

• More on Hall of Fame
• Special Coverage

Fifteen winners will be randomly selected from the names of everyone who has purchased an annual membership or ticket to visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 11. Tickets must be purchased before 11:59 p.m. ET on May 4. The first five names drawn will get the unique honor of being the first to walk into the new NASCAR Hall of Fame at 10 a.m. Those five lucky fans will be accompanied by inaugural inductees Richard Petty and Junior Johnson, three-time Cup Series champion Darrell Waltrip, 5-time Grand National champion Jack Ingram and Truck Series driver Ron Hornaday.

The remaining 10 names drawn will get to enter the venue with a well-known NASCAR competitor at their respective entry time. The Hall of Fame is a timed-entry facility, meaning customers enter by appointment at the top of every hour. The 10 lucky fans will enter with NASCAR superstars Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and others. Sweepstakes winners will be notified prior to May 11. Complete rules are available at www.NASCARHall.com.

"We are looking forward to the opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the opportunity to share this incredible experience with our guests. I vividly recall the first time I met Richard Petty as a young boy and can personally attest that entering the Hall of Fame with these NASCAR stars will be a moment they will remember the rest of their lives," said Winston Kelley, executive director of the Hall of Fame. "Not many people can say they were the first ever to walk into a new venue at its ribbon cutting, and it is extra special to walk in with the sport's icons."

NASCAR champions and special guests confirmed to participate in grand opening activities throughout the day include Bobby Allison, Johnny Benson, Greg Biffle, Todd Bodine, Chuck Bown, Busch, Richard Childress, Brian France, Steve Grissom, Harvick, Mike Helton, Rick Hendrick, Hornaday, Ingram, Dale Jarrett, Ned Jarrett, Johnson, Kahne, Travis Kvapil, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Bud Moore, Joe Nemechek, Petty, Mike Skinner, Martin Truex Jr., Rusty Wallace, Waltrip and Rex White. More names may be announced at a later date.

"To have so many legends and current superstars at opening day demonstrates their belief in the NASCAR Hall of Fame's mission," said Kelley. "Access to drivers is a signature trait of this sport, and we are proud to provide this stellar lineup of NASCAR celebrities to race fans, the Charlotte community and anyone visiting our city on May 11."

The one-hour opening ceremony will begin promptly at 9 a.m. ET and culminate with Petty, Johnson, Waltrip, Ingram, Hornaday and five lucky fans officially opening the interactive venue. The opening ceremony will be followed by a free community celebration outside the Hall of Fame from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. In addition to concerts by Bomshel, Lee Brice and Love and Theft, other free outdoor activities will include driver appearances, question-and-answer sessions, autograph sessions, strolling entertainment and food vendors.

Tickets to enter the Hall of Fame can be purchased at www.NASCARHall.com or by calling (877) 231-2010. Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Memberships provide unlimited entry for one year and start at $25 for children and $50 for adults. Group discounts, facility rentals and sponsorships also are available by calling (704) 654-4400.