Madame Tussauds Immortalizes Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Both NASCAR Stars Unveil Wax Figures During Grand Opening of Neon Garage at LVMS

LAS VEGAS, March 9 -- Madame Tussauds Las Vegas immortalized Richard Petty, "The King" of NASCAR, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., currently its most popular driver, in wax today in special ceremonies during the first public opening of the new Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Both Petty and Earnhardt, Jr. were in attendance and participated in the unveiling of their life-sized wax figures. Each wax figure will remain in the Neon Garage for fans' enjoyment during Saturday's Busch Series race and Sunday's UAW Daimler Chrysler 400. The figures will then go to their permanent home in the SPEED attraction at Madame Tussauds at The Venetian Hotel Resort Casino on the Strip and join those of the late seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt and four-time champ Jeff Gordon.

When asked if he thought the figure looked like him, the ever personable, ever humble Petty said, "Yeah, I guess so. I don't know, I never look at myself in the mirror."

Earnhardt, Jr. said, "It's a big honor, especially to be up here with Richard Petty. I don't know which is a bigger honor, to be up here with Richard or the wax figure."

Rather than driving suits, both interactive figures are casually dressed. The Petty figure appears in his trademark Western hat and shirt, sunglasses, jeans and custom boots. His hat was provided by Kaci Riggs, a custom hat maker for the Charlie One Horse Co. in Garland, TX. Gary Tucker, a custom boot maker in Las Vegas, made his boots. Earnhardt, Jr. is hatless and dressed in a work shirt and Wrangler jeans.

"The new Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be a tremendous addition to the auto racing experience at the track. We are very excited to play a role in its grand opening and to have Richard Petty and Dale, Jr. with us for the unveiling of their figures," said Adrian Jones, Madame Tussauds general manager.

"We are honored to be a part of this event," said LVMS General Manager Chris Powell. "Madame Tussauds is known throughout the world as a top entertainment attraction. It is an exciting element for the Neon Garage to have one of NASCAR's most historic figures and its most popular driver take part in this exciting event."

The SPEED attraction at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is dedicated to auto racing. It opened Aug. 23, 2005, with the life-sized figure of the late Dale Earnhardt. Gordon joined Earnhardt in March 2006.

"The SPEED attraction will continue to recognize the stars of auto racing on a long-term basis. We will immortalize more legendary drivers," Jones said.

Madame Tussauds is an international wax attraction that offers the public the unique opportunity to "interact" with famous people. Madame Tussauds operates museums in London, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York and at The Venetian Resort - Hotel - Casino on "The Strip" in Las Vegas, NV. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is open seven days a week. For attraction hours and pricing, please call 702-862-7800 or visit online at www.mtvegas.com.