Johnson reveals: Jimmie's trophies, Junior's pardon

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NASCAR Hall of Fame opens May 11 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., 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 26-May 2:

Monday, April 26
• 15 days until opening: Kyle Petty's pinewood derby car and trophy

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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Kyle Petty grew up in the legendary racing family of Richard and Lee Petty. Petty had one of his first victories racing a pinewood derby car down a straight track at age 14 during a Boy Scout event in 1974.

Known as a great NASCAR spokesman and philanthropist, he and his wife, Pattie, founded Victory Junction Gang Camp for chronically ill children in honor of their son, Adam. Along with Victory Junction Gang Camp, he started the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. During this great event, Kyle is joined by NASCAR fans, drivers and crew members as they ride their motorcycles across America to visit children's hospitals and other charities.

Guests can find out how some of NASCAR's biggest names started and see Kyle Petty's pinewood derby car and trophy in Kobalt Kids Zone, the family friendly area perfect for the smaller set of rookie racers.

Tuesday, April 27
• 14 days until opening: Janet Guthrie's driver uniform and driving shoes from 1976

Janet Guthrie was born on March 7, 1938, in Iowa City, Iowa. Guthrie started her racing career in a Jaguar XK 12 and went on to win two Sports Car Club of America races. Guthrie eventually moved to stock cars and became the first woman to qualify for the Daytona 500. She also was the only woman to lead a race in NASCAR's premier series.

While her NASCAR career was only from 1976-78, Guthrie received recognition as an inductee into the Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.

At the NASCAR Hall of Fame, guests can see Guthrie's driver uniform and driving shoes from 1976 in Heritage Speedway. She brought the soft-soled driving shoes to NASCAR from her sports-car days. The shoes provided road racers the soft touch needed on the pedals. Guthrie's uniform and driving shoes remind fans that she was the first woman to compete at Charlotte Motor Speedway, finishing 15th in the 1976 World 600.

Wednesday, April 28
• 13 days until opening: Jimmie Johnson's four Cup Series trophies

With 13 days until the opening, the NASCAR Hall of Fame announced four prominent historic items to be on display at the 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction -- Jimmie Johnson's four Cup Series trophies. The reigning four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion has loaned his four personal trophies to the venue for six months.

"The NASCAR Hall of Fame is going to have so many cool things, showing the history of our sport. I was definitely humbled that they asked for something of mine to display," Johnson said. "It's an honor for me and the whole 48 Lowe's team. I hope fans appreciate seeing the trophies up close. I know how special they are to me, and I've certainly enjoyed seeing them the past four years."

While the NASCAR Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR, a current item such as Johnson's trophies recognizes the importance of history in the making. Eight years ago to the day, Johnson captured his first Cup victory on April 28, 2002, at Fontana, and since then, he has earned a spot in the record books as the only driver to win four consecutive Cup championships (2006-09).

• Johnson adds personal touch to Hall

Thursday, April 29
• 12 days until opening: Grand opening of the Buffalo Wild Wings at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar is one of the top-10 fastest-growing restaurant chains in the country. Adjacent to the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a new 8,400 square-foot Buffalo Wild Wings which officially opens on this day.

The restaurant features 14 signature sauces. The NASCAR Hall of Fame complex features the new restaurant, a 5,800-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop retail outlet, a NASCAR Media Group-operated TV & radio broadcast studio, a privately developed, 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom.

Friday, April 30
• 11 days until opening: NASCAR Hall of Fame launches contest and announces names of NASCAR superstars set to participate in grand opening

NASCAR Hall of Fame officials have released the names of NASCAR drivers, owners and executives planning to participate in the May 11 grand opening. As part of the historic day, 15 lucky customers will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame with a NASCAR celebrity.

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. 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, five-time Grand National champion Jack Ingram and reigning Camping World 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 NASCAR 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.

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.

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, Kurt Busch, Richard Childress, Brian France, Steve Grissom, Harvick, Mike Helton, Rick Hendrick, Ron Hornaday, Jack Ingram, Dale Jarrett, Ned Jarrett, Junior Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Travis Kvapil, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Bud Moore, Joe Nemechek, Richard Petty, Mike Skinner, Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip and Rex White. More names may be announced at a later date.

• Hall offers unique opportunity to fans

Saturday, May 1
• 10 days until opening: Junior Johnson's presidential pardon and photograph

Junior Johnson, born Robert Glenn Johnson Jr. in 1931, is almost as famous for running moonshine as he is for his racing career. A native of Wilkes County, N.C., Johnson's career includes 50 victories and 46 poles. He had even more success as an owner ranking second all time with 139 victories.

Prior to 1955, Johnson worked with his father by delivering moonshine but gave that up to be a full-time race car driver. In 1956, Johnson was caught working at his father's still, convicted of producing illegal liquor and sent to prison. He was given a two-year sentence but was pardoned 11 months later. His pardon provided by President Reagan and his photograph are on display in the Hall of Honor, the sacred area where NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees will be enshrined, celebrated and honored through the years.

• Johnson reflects on HOF nod

Sunday, May 2
• 9 days until opening: NASCAR Hall of Fame hard card hosts and experience

Just like at the race track, NASCAR Hall of Fame visitors receive a hard card, an all-access pass to behind-the-scenes excitement and industry know-how. The hard card documents guests' journey of the 150,000-square-foot, hi-tech, entertainment facility through a number of hands-on activities and interactive video screens.

Guests can place their hard card on touch screens located throughout the NASCAR Hall of Fame and personalize their experience, create a profile and even choose one of nine NASCAR drivers to be their virtual host.

Choose from Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, David Pearson, Jimmie Johnson, Junior Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Richard Petty, Tony Stewart or Darrell Waltrip.

Once a guest returns home, they can visit NASCARHall.com/hardcard to revisit their NASCAR Hall of Fame experience and access their scores from the many interactive exhibits and video stations, one-of-a-kind photos from their visit, achievements and additional exhibit information.

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
• Items 29-23: Reagan's jacket from '84, France nameplate in Hall
• Items 22-16: Gant's Southern 500 trophy, Pearson's seat added