| There was much discussion during the two racing | | | | America. The ground is broken and construction is |
| weeks in Charlotte regarding the new NASCAR Hall | | | | moving forward, we won't have to wait long to see |
| of Fame that is to open some time in 2010. Topics | | | | what will prove to be a destination attraction. |
| ranging from the showing off of the new logo, to | | | | The Week that Was |
| criteria for induction to having the induction | | | | Saturday we were all treated to Ned Jarrett making |
| ceremonies on Nextel All Star Challenge weekend | | | | a guest appearance on air during ESPN 2's coverage |
| spread around Lowe's Motor Speedway all weekend. | | | | of the Busch race at Charlotte. Ned joined Dr. Jerry |
| Ground was recently broken on the new Hall of | | | | Punch, and Son Dale on the coverage. The elder |
| Fame and representatives of the Hall made their way | | | | Jarrett was still sharp and brought me back to earlier |
| around the media outlets all weekend spreading the | | | | days of race coverage on ESPN. To me this kind of |
| word about the Hall. The City of Charlotte who is | | | | served as a passing of the torch to Andy Petree and |
| responsible for the construction promises a NASCAR | | | | the younger Jarrett who appear to be heading to a |
| Plaza, an office building and an increase in tourism and | | | | bright career as a broadcast team themselves. It |
| prestige to Charlotte. | | | | was great to have Ned back even if it was for just |
| I agree with Charlotte as the choice for city housing | | | | one race. |
| the Hall. Charlotte beat out Atlanta and Daytona for | | | | The Racing Weekend |
| the Hall. Charlotte which we all know is the base for | | | | Low on fuel and taking the lead late in the race, |
| most of the racing teams and with the roots of | | | | Casey Mears held on to win the Coca Cola 600 |
| NASCAR found in the Carolinas, Charlotte became | | | | Sunday night. It was Mears' first Nextel Cup win and |
| the easy choice for having the Hall. | | | | another victory for Hendrick Motorsports. J.J. Yeley |
| The Hall will end up being more than just a historical | | | | finished second and having his best run in over 10 |
| attraction. It will become a meeting and gathering | | | | years Kyle Petty finished third. |
| locale for race fans all during the year and especially | | | | Jeff Gordon remains atop the Points lead with a 132 |
| on Charlotte race weekends. It will be interactive; it | | | | point margin over Jimmie Johnson. Big movers in the |
| will be impressive and modern with restaurants and a | | | | points race were obviously Casey Mears up six spots |
| mall component that will bring locals and tourists alike | | | | to 29. Also J.J. Yeley moved up five notches to 15. |
| to the facility. | | | | Losers included Kurt Busch dropping two spaces to 9, |
| Early indications the partnership between Charlotte | | | | and Ryan Newman falling fives spots to 18. |
| and NASCAR is going well with respect to building the | | | | The Week Ahead |
| Hall. A first class architectural team, Pei Cobb Freed | | | | Up next, a Sunday afternoon race at Dover. Matt |
| & Partners who is the group responsible for the | | | | Kenseth is the defending champ on the 1-mile oval. |
| Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the expansion to The | | | | Other drivers who have had recent success at Dover |
| Louvre in Paris is onboard for design. | | | | include Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, and Jimmie |
| NASCAR has long wanted to have its own Hall to | | | | Johnson. |
| celebrate the rich history of stock car racing in | | | | |