The Central RED Society will tour the Knoxville Raceway and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, in Knoxville, Iowa. The class is limited to 75 people. Bob Baker, executive director of the museum, will lead the tour.
Lunch will be after the tour, catered by The Rib Shack. The cost is $20 and includes lunch.
Central RED attendees will explore and learn about Knoxville’s nationally revered Sprint Car Raceway and Nationals, held each August. The track was built in 1878 for horse racing and in 1901 it held a race between two cars owned by Wells Manufacturing and Tone’s Spices. Until 1930, the infield was used for Knoxville High School football. The 2,000-capacity wooden grandstand, built in 1917, now seats 24,000 fans and the Nationals winnings exceed $1,000,000. During the tour, members will meet a driver, get a close look at one of the cars, explore the 33 suites and the observation deck of the Clausen Suites.
Baker has served as the museum’s executive director for the past 16 years. He has had an extensive career in marketing, management and research, which has been centered around the world of MotoSports and has taken him all over the Midwest and the South, from Kansas City, Missouri to Austin, Texas.
Central RED (Ready to Engage and Discover) is a volunteer-driven, lifelong learning and social organization with an abiding partnership with Central alumni and community friends who wish to share knowledge, talents and experiences.
No affiliation with Central is required to join. For more information and to make a reservation, contact Mary Benedict by email at benedictm@central.edu or by phone at 641-628-7641.
