NASCAR fans can meet, greet Hall of Famers

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Ever met a NASCAR Hall of Famer? Your chance is coming ... next weekend.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees will meet with small groups before guided tours of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan. 21, as part of NASCAR Acceleration Weekend -- which kicks off the night before with the official induction ceremony for the Class of 2012.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for someone to speak directly with the legends of our sport," said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "They can talk about the moonshine days with Junior Johnson, ask Bobby Allison about the famous 1979 Daytona 500, debate the 1989 Winston finish with Darrell Waltrip, discover why the name Gentleman Ned is so applicable, ask Bud Moore about D-Day, or experience that famous Richard Petty smile in person."

Each group will be limited to the first 30 people in line at the Main Stage in the Exhibit Hall at the Charlotte Convention Center. Entry is free with a NASCAR Hall of Fame and NASCAR Preview 2012 ticket. After a brief on-stage interview, the inductee will guide the group on a walk through the Convention Center to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Once the meet-and-greet concludes, the group will be given a guided tour of the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The meet-and-greet and tour schedule -- subject to change -- is:

• 10 a.m. Junior Johnson, Class of 2010
• 11 a.m. Ned Jarrett, Class of 2011
• Noon Richard Petty, Class of 2010
• 1 p.m. Tours will not be given at 1 p.m. due to a DuPont news conference with Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty. Guests are invited to watch the news conference live in the Great Hall inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
• 2 p.m. Bud Moore, Class of 2011
• 3 p.m. Bobby Allison, Class of 2011
• 4 p.m. Darrell Waltrip, Class of 2012

NASCAR Acceleration Weekend is highlighted by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2012 inductees -- Richie Evans, Dale Inman, Darrell Waltrip, Glen Wood and Cale Yarborough -- on Friday, Jan. 20. On Saturday, Jan. 21, NASCAR Preview 2012 will offer "a festival-like experience for fans that features driver autograph and question-and-answer sessions, show car appearances, simulators, games and more." The weekend activities will conclude with the unveiling of the Class of 2012 Inductee Tribute exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Combo tickets for NASCAR Hall of Fame and NASCAR Preview 2012 start at $20. NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony tickets start at $40 and include Hall admission. For more information or to purchase tickets: www.nascaracceleration2012.com or 1-800-745-3000.