By Bob Baker
KNOXVILLE, IOWA (September 6, 2012) – The ninth annual Knoxville Late Model Auction, which benefits both the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum and the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, will once again feature many unique, autographed items from the world of late model stock car racing. However, on Saturday afternoon, September 29, fans will have an opportunity to bid on original artwork by such noted motorsports artists as Kenny Schrader and Kenny Wallace. The live auction will begin at 12 Noon on the second floor of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum and it is free and open to the public.
According to auction coordinator Tom Schmeh, “I have had this idea to have drivers create original artwork for years now and it really came together this year. Kenny Schrader was here for the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) Harris Clash in July and he was kind enough to draw his favorite car – the Don & Hank Sieveking-owned United States Auto Club (USAC) Ford Granada from 1981. Then Kenny Wallace was here in town a couple of weeks later and he drew his favorite car – the Childs Tire-sponsored car in which he won the 1986 American Speed Association (ASA) ‘Rookie of the Year’ title. If you are a late model stock car fan and you like the idea of owning one-of-a-kind signed artwork produced by famous racers, then this is the place to be on Saturday afternoon, September 29.”
“In addition, I really have to thank people like museum executive director Bob Baker, auction emcee Kathy Krafka Harkema and auctioneer Lynn Richard, as they have done a great job in soliciting unique and autographed donations from the teams that will participate in the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals here at Knoxville Raceway. The drivers and owners also did their part, as we have many body panels and pieces of die-cast and apparel that will be available to their loyal fans at the auction. Without this kind of commitment from motorsports fans and teams, our museum and the dirt late model museum in Florence, Kentucky, could never keep our respective doors open to the general public,” said Schmeh.
For more information on the non-profit National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum in Knoxville, fans are encouraged to visit their web site at www.sprintcarhof.com.