Monday - Nov 13,2006

DISTRICT OFFICES

188 East Main Street
Abingdon, Virginia 24210
276-628-1145

106 North Washington
Pulaski, Virginia 24301
540-980-4310

1 Cloverleaf Square,
Suite C-1
Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219
276-523-5450

WASHINGTON D.C.

2187 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-3861
202-225-0442(fax)

PDF Print

VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME WELCOMES VISITORS

Boucher Joins with Patrick County Officials to Dedicate Museum

(Stuart, Virginia) - U.S. Representative Rick Boucher joined today with Delegate Ward Armstrong and Patrick County officials in dedicating the Virginia Motorsports Museum and Hall Fame in Stuart. Over the past two years the museum has made numerous additions and improvements to its collection of race cars and motorsports exhibits and is now ready to welcome visitors on a permanent basis. "The Virginia Motorsports Museum and Hall Fame preserves and chronicles our rich racing history, and will serve as a significant attraction for race fans visiting our area," said Boucher.

The Virginia Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame was originally commissioned in 1995 and was tied to the Woods Brothers Racing Museum, which has since moved to the new Woods Brothers racing team building. Over the past two years numerous improvements have been made to the museum including the addition of a formal showroom, three race cars, and a newly constructed auditorium, so that the museum could once again welcome visitors. Today's dedication signifies the museum is now welcoming visitors on a permanent basis.

Virginia's extensive racing history and tradition is documented at the Motorsports Museum and Hall Fame through displays of authentic race cars, exhibits on racing history, as well as information on contemporary motorsports in the Commonwealth . Virginia is home to more than 36 motorsports venues including oval tracks, drag strips and a road course. Southwest Virginia is home to 9 of these venues, and hosts visitors attending 4 major NASCAR events each year at the Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway. The Martinsville Speedway has an economic impact of $30-40 million on race day, and local businesses in Martinsville, Henry and Patrick Counties report up to a 30% increase in business during race weeks.

The Museum's mission is to commemorate the contributions of Virginians to the motorsports industry and Virginia's influence on early NASCAR and other motorsports. The Museum will be a significant attraction for tourists who are visiting the area during the Martinsville races or other racing events, and will continue to add exhibits in the months ahead.

"Patrick County has much to offer the traveling public, and the Virginia Motorsports Museum and Hall Fame is another attraction which will contribute to the tourism economy and also enhance the experience for race fans visiting our area," Boucher concluded.

-###-

 

Contact Congressman Boucher