Fans circle NASCAR cars at auto show
Fans circle NASCAR cars at auto show
The big draw at this weekend’s Wichita Auto Dealers New Car Show is a trio of pretty old cars — all with a lot of miles on them. Tucked behind all the shiny convertibles, vans and SUVs on display are three former NASCAR race cars: Dale Earnhardt Sr.’ s No. 3, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’ s No. 8 and Jeff Gordon’s No. 24.
The show opened Thursday, and on Friday, the three NASCAR cars, driven by the popular drivers in the late 1990s and early 2000s, attracted plenty of racing fans.
They’d circle the race cars once, twice and then again before pulling out a camera and posing — first next to the car and then next to the life-size cutout of its former driver.
NASCAR fan Tina Krenz got to the show as soon as she could on Friday specifically to see the cars, especially the one driven by her favorite racer, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
She checked out every square inch of the car and not only posed for pictures with it but also instructed her husband, Glenn, to snap several interior shots.
“The only thing that would be more exciting is if the driver was here, too,” she said with a laugh.
The cars are the property of local racing enthusiast Ron Simmons and his business partner, Randy Baker. The two use the cars as part of their racing school, which is based in North Carolina but has clinics in several states.
Simmons brought the cars to the show to help raise awareness of a charity he founded in honor of his wife of 31 years, Susan, who died of melanoma last June.
The Susan Simmons Motorsports Charity for Kids is in its infancy, but its goal is to raise money to help sick children — whether to grant their wishes or to help defray medical costs.
Simmons’ wife was a big Jeff Gordon fan, he said, and she was especially attentive to the kids who attended the racing school.
“I just want to help kids in her name,” Ron said. “That’s all I want to do is make them have a great day. If I can do that, then I’m happy.”
Simmons and the cars will be at the show through Sunday. He’s also raffling a $500 gift certificate toward a visit to one of his racing school events.
For more information on the Susan Simmons Motorsports Charity for Kids, visit helpsusanskids.org.
