In collaboration with Disney•Pixar, the NASCAR Hall of Fame officially launched its newest special exhibit today—“Cars 3: Inspired by NASCAR”—which will be on display in the Great Hall through May 2018.
“Disney•Pixar’s ‘Cars’ movie franchise is filled with authentic references to the real world of NASCAR,” says NASCAR Hall of Fame Director of Exhibits Kevin Schlesier. “Combining imagery from the film, and authentic artifacts from some of NASCAR’s biggest names, this exhibit showcases how the films, specifically ‘Cars 3,’ used the rich history of NASCAR to create its characters, settings and plot.”
Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3” is an action-packed animated spectacular that incorporates the voices, tales and experiences of real NASCAR competitors into Lightning McQueen’s racing world. The “Cars 3: Inspired by NASCAR” exhibit spotlights the film's great Piston Cup characters and the NASCAR stars who contributed their voices and stories to the movie’s drive for authenticity.
“‘Cars 3’ very much pays homage to stock car racing and its rich history,” said “Cars 3” director Brian Fee at a press event in Daytona in February 2017. “Our story leans into the drama, emotion and excitement NASCAR fans find at every race.”
Highlights of the exhibit include a life-size look-alike character car of Lightning McQueen, hands-on kids activities and 16 displays that showcase the “Cars 3” characters that were inspired by real-life NASCAR stars, including:
- Darrell Cartrip,
inspired by three-time champion and Hall of Famer turned iconic
broadcaster Darrell Waltrip
- Shannon Spokes,
inspired by at-track broadcaster and NASCAR RACE HUB co-host Shannon Spake
- Jeff Gorvette,
inspired by four-time NASCAR champion turned broadcaster Jeff Gordon
- Strip “The King” Weathers, inspired by seven-time champion, team owner and Hall
of Famer Richard “The King” Petty
- Cal Weathers,
inspired by victorious third-generation driver turned broadcaster Kyle
Petty
- Doc Hudson,
inspired by NASCAR’s first dominant race car The Fabulous Hudson Hornet
- Tex Dinaco,
inspired by NASCAR’s master promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler
- Ray Reverham,
inspired by champion crew chief, master strategist and Hall of Famer Ray
Evernham
- Smokey,
inspired by master mechanic and crew chief Smokey Yunick
- Junior “Midnight” Moon, inspired by moonshine runner, winning driver,
championship owner and Hall of Famer Junior Johnson
- Louise “Barnstormer” Nash, inspired by the first lady of stock car racing Louise
Smith
- River Scott,
inspired by pioneer driver and Hall of Famer Wendell Scott
- Chase Racelott,
inspired by second-generation championship driver Chase Elliott
- Ryan “Inside” Laney, inspired by third-generation winning driver Ryan
Blaney
- Danny Swervez,
inspired by NASCAR’s first Mexican-born champion Daniel Suárez
- Bubba Wheelhouse,
inspired by NASCAR national series winner Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr.
- Oct.
6 – Fan Q&A with Class of 2018 inductee Ray Evernham
- Oct.
14 – 2nd Saturday: Make and Model
- Nov.
11 – 2nd Saturday: Fast as Lightning
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