By Bob Baker
KNOXVILLE, IOWA (April 27, 2011) – Governor Terry Branstad has proclaimed Saturday, May 14, as “Iowa Museum Day” and the National Sprint Car Museum has decided to use the opportunity to put a special one-time exhibit together honoring three Iowans that have made their mark on sprint car racing. The museum will place two famous sprint cars from the 1980 Knoxville Nationals in its front window – the pole-sitting Harrold Annett-owned, Mike Brooks-driven number 12 sprint car and the championship-winning Steve Kinser-driven, Karl Kinser- and Bob Trostle-owned number 20 sprint car. In addition, Mike Brooks of rural Knoxville and Bob Trostle of Des Moines have indicated that they will be here to meet fans from 3 until 5 p.m. on that special day in the museum lobby. The reception is free and open to the public.
According to museum curator Tom Schmeh, “Our non-profit foundation is a proud member of the Iowa Museum Association and we are excited about Governor Branstad’s proclamation of Saturday, May 14, as Iowa Museum Day. This is a great opportunity for us to showcase these two historic sprint cars, but, more importantly, to also honor these three very successful racing competitors from Iowa. It is just unfortunate that Harrold Annett of Des Moines will be unable to attend our reception as he will be in Dover, Delaware, on that day to watch his son Michael compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race. We hope many sprint car fans, and history museum-goers in general, will come out on that day and join Mike Brooks and Bob Trostle as they reminisce about the fog-delayed 1980 Knoxville Sprint Car National Championships.”
Governor Branstad has recognized the importance of Iowa’s museums in his proclamation, stating that Iowa Museum Day will celebrate the crucial role of Iowa’s museums in preserving the historical fabric and memory of our state through preservation of artifacts and archives; in providing educational resources and programs which expand learning opportunities for all ages; in contributing to a vibrant community and state economy through job creation, purchase of goods and services, and by attracting tourism revenue to the community and state; and in their significant role in enhancing community quality of life.
Iowa’s museums are supported in their missions by the Iowa Museum Association (IMA), a statewide association of museums including art centers and art museums, botanical gardens, children’s museums, historic sites, historical societies, living history sites, nature centers, natural history museums, planetariums, science and technology centers, and zoos.
Those seeking more information on the 501(c)(3) non-profit National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Foundation are urged to visit www.sprintcarhof.com. For more information on Iowa museums or the Iowa Museum Association, please visit www.iowamuseums.org.