Daytona Int'l Speedway news 2010-01-18

'Women In The Winner's Circle' Traveling Exhibit Now Open At Daytona 500 Experience

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- 'Women In The Winner's Circle,' a traveling exhibit on the history of women in racing, is now open at the Daytona 500 Experience.

Daytona 500 Experience, "The Official Attraction of NASCAR," is the first venue to host this unique exhibit that recognizes the past history, the growing achievements and the future growth of women in racing and will be on display through March.

Racing legend Lyn St. James, founder of the Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation, joined forces with The Henry Ford of Dearborn, MI, to create the exhibit.

"It's the perfect venue to launch the exhibit," St. James said. "It's everything I envisioned it to be."

Featured in the exhibit are informational panels, photographs, three race cars and personal artifacts that illustrate the history of women in motorsports, which dates as far back as 1903.

Accomplishments of women drivers from five different eras are recognized in the exhibit, which has three cars on display -- a replica of Louise Smith's No. 94 Coupe, the 1989 Ford Thunderbird that St. James drove to set closed course speed records at Talladega Superspeedway with a speed of 212.577 mph, and Kara Kendrick's TQ Midget which was restored by her brother, NASCAR driver Kenny Hendrick.

Artifacts include Jutta Kleinschmidt's helmet, shoes and gloves from her win in the 2001 Paris Dakar Rally, sports car and open wheel legend Desire Wilson's helmet, shoes, and trophy, and a race suit worn by Sarah Fisher in the IZOD IndyCar Series.

An interactive kiosk is setup so that visitors to the exhibit can read in depth biographies and see additional photos of the drivers, along with a glossary of racing terms, a list of driving schools and sanctioning bodies.

Daytona 500 Experience: The Daytona 500 Experience, "The Official Attraction Of NASCAR," is a high-energy experience designed to appeal to both hard-core race fans and casual observers. Wall-to-wall activities, challenging thrills and one-of-a-kind sights pack the Ultimate Motorsports Attraction. Included inside the attraction is the Coca-Cola IMAX Theatre, the 16-Second Pit Stop Challenge, three racing simulators and the winning Daytona 500 car.

Tickets for The Daytona 500 Experience, which includes admission to the attraction as well as the Speedway tour, are $24.99 plus tax for adults, $19.99 plus tax for seniors 60 and over and children age 6-12. Children under six are free. For more information on the attraction, visit www.DAYTONA500EXPERIENCE.com or call Guest Services at (386) 681-6530.

The Henry Ford, located in Dearborn, Michigan, was founded in 1929 by automotive pioneer Henry Ford. This history destination includes Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford IMAX® Theatre, The Benson Ford Research Center and The Ford Rouge Factory Tour. The Henry Ford, America's Greatest History Attraction, is the history destination that brings the American experience to life. For more information, visit www.TheHenryFord.org.

Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation is a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization dedicated to professional development for talented, up-and-coming young women race car drivers and encourages women to pursue opportunities in automotive fields. Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation conducts two primary programs: the Driver Development Academy and Project Podium.

-source: dis