The history of NASCAR is the history is one of the greatest legends of motorsport. Born from moonshiners and criminals running untaxed liquor on country backroads, NASCAR eventually morphed into the world’s largest, most-popular motorsport.
The annals of NASCAR is filled with heroes and villains, triumphs and tragedies, and this year they’ll be on display at the annual Concours d’Elegance of America.
Hemmings Auto Blog reports that this year the Concours d’Elegance of America will have a class just for vintage NASCARs, with either restored classics already confirmed for the show. If you’re a NASCAR fan (and chances are strong that you are) then you will want to get yourself to Plymouth, Michigan next weekend for the show.
Despite their enormous importance to American automotive history, there has not been a class for classic NASCAR owners to display and compete in until now. This has encouraged the owners of eight different classic NASCARs, each with a unique story to tell, to bring their cars out of storage for this Concours event.
Among the rarest cars on display will be a 1952 Hudson Hornet, which was owned by former NASCAR treasurer Marshall Teague. Teague hired Herb Thomas to drive the Hudson, racking up 15 victories from the 1951 to 1953 racing seasons and finishing 2nd overall in the 1952 season, coining the name the “Fabulous Hudson Hornet.”
Better known is the 1963 Impala once driven by Junior Johnson, which will also be on display, as will the 1970 Plymouth Superbird driven by Ramos Stott, which recorded the first (but not last!) Superbird NASCAR victory. Another inspiring car is a 1972 Dodge Challenger prototype car build by Pettyer Enterprises, and perhaps even driven by the great Dale Earnhardt.
If you’re a NASCAR fan and can make it to Michigan next week, you’ll see all these cars and more. Don’t miss your chance, as these cars don’t come out too often.