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Historic NASCAR Winston Cup Cars to Run at HSR Weekend in Daytona

17 September 1997

            HSR Weekend at Daytona Has Something for Everyone
          NASCAR Winston Cup stock cars to shine at Vintage Races


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Many of the most historical NASCAR Winston Cup
stock cars, including David Pearson's 1976-Daytona 500 winning No. 21
Mercury and Dale Earnhardt's championship-winning No. 3 Chevrolet
Lumina, will return to Daytona International Speedway Oct. 3-5 for the
inaugural Brumos Daytona Continental Historics.

Although fans often associate vintage racing with nameplates such as
Porsche, Ferrari and BMW, American stock cars are becoming a mainstay
at vintage weekends all over the country.  And although the drivers
that made the cars famous are absent from the competition, the cars
themselves have become the stars with more than 15 famous stock cars
expected to compete at Daytona.

"Traditionally, people have put a lot of money into very expensive
vintage sports cars over the years, and now they're looking for cars
that aren't so expensive that still have a history to them, " said
former Professional SportsCar Racing and SCCA driving champion Gene
Felton, who is credited with starting the new trend.  "Retired Winston
Cup cars do that."

Felton, one of the co-founders of the Historic Stock Car Racing Group
(HSCRG), expects a long entry list of the most famous cars in NASCAR
history to compete on the high banks of "The World Center of Racing."
In addition to the Pearson and Earnhardt cars, others expected to
compete in the inaugural event are the No. 28 Texaco Havoline Ford
Thunderbird driven by the late Davey Allison and the No. 2 Miller
Genuine Draft Pontiac Grand Prix once driven by Rusty Wallace.

"At every vintage race I've been to, the stock cars are just as
popular as the Ferraris or the other exotic cars," Felton said.
"These cars look good and sound good, so good in fact it's hard not to
like them.  I think anybody who is involved in racing is well aware of
NASCAR's popularity.  I think a lot of sports car fans have only seen
NASCAR racing on television, they haven't touched it or experienced
it.  With these cars they can."

Historic SportsCar Racing (HSR), the sanctioning body for the first
vintage racing weekend in the Speedway's 39-year history, is credited
as being the first vintage racing association to open its doors to
former NASCAR Winston Cup cars.

Of the millions who have witnessed NASCAR Winston Cup races at
Daytona, few have toured the famed garage area to get an up-close view
of the famous machines.  With the HSR Brumos Daytona Continental
Historics, a ticket allows fans close enough to touch the famous cars.

"Since 1992, we've allowed them (former NASCAR Winston Cup cars) to
run as exhibitions at our events because they do represent an
extremely popular and important form of racing," said Joe Pendergast,
president of HSR.  "And besides, they're a lot of fun and the fans
absolutely love them.

"One of the biggest reasons vintage racing is becoming so popular
around the country is the relaxed environment.  Fans can interact with
the drivers and get up close to the cars.  Whether you're a stock car
fan or a sports car fan, a vintage weekend offers a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to feel a part of the racing action."

 Super tickets, which include three days of unlimited access to the
infield, paddock and garage area, include free car/van parking and are
available for $35.  For tickets call (904) 253-7223.  For additional
information on DAYTONA USA or any Daytona race event visit
http://daytonausa.com.