New Exhibit Links Moonshine and Racing

The Bootleg Turn: Moonshine and the Genesis of NASCAR is on display outside the Special Collections suite on the fourth floor of Belk Library & Information Commons. For more information, click on the link above and scroll down to the middle of the page. Kudos to graduate assistant Jessica Michak for designing the display.

Stock Car Racing Collection Honors J. B. Day

Collection curator Suzanne Wise presented an award to long time racing supporter J. B. Day at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on October 21 in Dawsonville, GA. Day, who is widely known for his resored race cars, annual birthday party for the late Raymond Parks, and assistance to many racing historians and writers, received the second annual Spirit Award from the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. Wise then surprised Day with a proclamation acknowledging his contributions to the sport and bestowing on him the title of Honorary Historian of the Appalachian State University Library Stock Car Racing Collection. The large audience included three former NASCAR champions: Rex White, David Pearson, and Bill Elliott.

Collection Curator Suzanne Wise Does Radio Interview

Suzanne Wise, curator of the Stock Car Racing Collection, recently did a thirty minute segment on a live broadcast of  Car Smarts, a weekly radio show heard on stations in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Suzanne, who talked with program hosts "Boots" Longenette and Randy Rhinehart, fielded questions about the Collection. "It was a lot of fun," said Suzanne. "And as an added bonus, Boots has promised to send some race programs from Ohio tracks to add to our collection."

Edgar Otto Visits the Stock Car Racing Collection

Edgar Otto, son of NASCAR pioneer Ed Otto, stopped by recently while visiting the High Country. Edgar is the author of Ed Otto: NASCAR's Silent Partner (Coastal 181, 2008), which recounts his father's influence in the establishment of NASCAR. It is a great story and a piece of racing history that most fans have never heard. Edgar plans to do a little campaigning to get his father nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte.

Stock Car Racing Collection Receives Donations

The Stock Car Racing Collection has received several donations recently. Our friend Terry Lynch, from Spencerport, NY, sent a box of race programs, issues of racing magazines, and some other goodies. Race fan Fran Milby, who lives in Richmond VA, made a large donation of racing materials, including many race programs, that filled a number of gaps in our holdings. Check http://guides.library.appstate.edu/auto_racing_programs to see a list of our complete programs collection. Thanks, Fran and Terry!

Appalachian State University Partners in NASCAR Middle School Project

Appalachian State University's Human Performance Lab is collaborating with the N.C. Biotechnology Center, the North Carolina Motorsports Association, Discovery Place in Charlotte, and UNC-Charlotte's motorsports engineering program in a project to train 50 teachers. The teachers will learn to use NASCAR pit crew activities to spark the interest of  middle school students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The project is funded by a $300,000 grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation. ASU's  Human Performance Lab will provide physical fitness testing and counseling to the teachers and students, similar to that done with Hendrick Motorsports. For more information on the program, go to http://www.highcountrypress.com/weekly/2011/06-02-11/asu-to-participate-in.htm

National Speed Sport News Publishes Its Last Issue

National Speed Sport News, the preeminent weekly motorsports periodical, published its last issue on March 23, 2011. The newspaper, a staple for both fans and members of the motorsports industry for seventy-seven years, was synonymous with Chris Economaki, who went from selling a motorsports newspaper at Hohokus Speedway in New Jersey as a 14-year-old to writing articles for the one page paper. The publication grew in size and stature, and Chris became the editor of the full-fledged racing weekly. A highlight of each issue was his column. Chris continued to guide NSSN until his "promotion" to publisher emeritus a few years ago, when his daughter Corrine took over day to day duties. It had become increasingly difficult to make the paper a financially viable product, so the decision was made to cease publication. I feel as if a good friend has died suddenly.

Streamline Hotel Sold

Dave Moody reports in the March 15 issue of Area Auto Racing News that the Victory Lane Racing Association has purchased the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach. The Streamline was the site of meetings in December 1947 that led to the formation of NASCAR. The Victory Lane Racing Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help racing families in need.

Morgan Shepherd Runs Down Teenaged Shoplifter

Veteran driver Morgan Shepherd assisted police in capturing a shoplifter recently. The 69-year-old, who competes full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, caught a fifteen-year-old shoplifting suspect at a Las Vegas Walmart.

Said Shepherd, "I went across the parking lot diagonal to them and I caught the guy right before he got to a wall. The officer must have thought I was a military guy because I had on a camouflage long-sleeve shirt and vest....I said, 'Throw me some cuffs,' and he threw me some cuffs. The security people were giving me the thumbs-up because I caught the guy." Shepherd is in great shape and is known for roller-skating around NASCAR garages.

Piedmont Racing Expo on January 14-15, 2011

A large motorsports trade show and auction will be held at the Raleigh (North Carolina) State Fairgrounds on January 14-15, 2011. A number of drivers will be present and available for autographs, including Burt and Jason Myers from television's Madhouse, the series featuring racing at historic Bowman Gray Stadium. Admission costs are $10 daily for male adults, $5 for male children 12-15, and women and all children under 12 free. For more information, go to http://piedmontracingexpo.com .

Stock Car RacersReunion Connects Fans

Have you visited Stock Car RacersReunion? It is a social networking site for race fans. Stock Car RacersReunion has forums for specific drivers and tracks, general topics, etc., and includes a wonderful audio and video archive. RacersReunion Radio is available there. Click on the Radio button in the top center for more information, including a schedule of live shows. Try Stock Car RacersReunion at http://racersreunion.ning.com .