* 60 Great Moments of NHRA pictorial exhibit opens (admission is free)
* Wally Fundraiser Dinner, Feb. 24 ($98 per person)
* Night of Champions, the semi-annual Auto Club Question and Answer session with NHRA professional racers, Feb. 25 (admission is free)
* Racing Collectible Show with unique Museum memorabilia, racing apparel, pins, die cast and more, Feb. 26 ($5 admission with $2 off coupon online http://museum.nhra.com)
* Free Museum admission and extended hours, Feb. 24-27
From the Museum's Wally Fundraiser Dinner and Night of Champions to extended museum hours and free Museum admission, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California is where racers and fans converge to celebrate the start of the NHRA season with the 51st annual Kragen O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals. The 60th Anniversary of the NHRA is another reason to celebrate this year.
Here's a look at what's in store for motorsports fans during the NHRA Winternationals weekend:
On Wednesday, Feb. 23, the Museum will be unveiling a new exhibit, 60 Great Moments of NHRA to kick off the year long celebration of NHRA's 60th anniversary. Courtesy of National DRAGSTER, the large-format photographs will be displayed in the Museum the entire 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Season.
On Thurs., Feb. 24 at 6 p.m., the Museum will hold its annual fundraiser dinner in honor of Wally Parks and the 60th Anniversary of the NHRA. A panel discussion with Joe Amato, Gary Beck, Tommy Ivo, Tom McEwen, Gary Scelzi, and Tony Schumacher will be included. NHRA Announcer Bob Frey will be the discussion moderator. One-of-a-kind items from the Museum archives and sponsors will be auctioned throughout the evening. Cost per person is $98; tables of nine cost $800. All proceeds directly benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Tickets for the dinner can be reserved by calling the Rose Pohorely, 909/622-8562 or email themuseum@nhra.com.
The anticipated Night of Champions Auto Club Q&A with NHRA professional drivers will be held on Fri., Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Museum's Hall of Champions. The semi-annual Night of Champions Auto Club Q&A is open to all and admission is always free. Confirmed racers set to attend Night of Champs are Jack Beckman, T.J. Zizzo, Steve Johnson and NHRA Announcer Bob Frey will serve as moderator. Additional drivers will be announced.
On Sat., Feb. 26 from noon to 9 p.m. the Museum hosts the popular Pomona Racing Collectible Show. Admission to the show is only $5; children 12 and under are free. A $2 off coupon is available on the museum website, http://museum.nhra.com. This year, the Museum will be pulling collectibles from its archive to offer the public the opportunity to purchase rare NHRA historical items. Hat pins, post cards, die cast, racing apparel and more is available.
The Museum offers patrons free admission and longer hours during the two NHRA races held at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Also, fans can catch a free ride on the tram service from drag strip to the Museum. The tram pick-up is located on Gate J at the track and in front of the Museum. Museum hours during the Winternationals are as follow: Feb. 23, Wednesday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; no tram service; Feb. 24, Thursday - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; tram runs from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 25, Friday - 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; tram runs from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Feb. 26, Saturday - 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; tram runs from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and Feb. 27, Sunday - 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; tram runs from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com.