Dave McClelland Named 2013 Robert E. Petersen
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
(INDIANAPOLIS, October 25, 2012) The Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show (www.hotrodshow.com) and The Petersen Automotive Museum are excited to announce that Dave McClelland, the legendary "Voice of the NHRA," will receive the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award on Friday, March 15 at the Grand Opening Breakfast for the 2013 Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show.
"We are so excited to be honoring Dave McClelland," said Travis Weeks, producer of the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show and publisher of Hotrod & Restoration magazine. "Dave's involvement in the industry through his years of announcing and emceeing has touched so many people in such a positive way. I wish everybody could have seen his face when we invited him to be the next Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award recipient because he thought we were going to ask him to emcee the event, and why wouldn't he, after all Dave is the voice of our industry."
McClelland got his start in radio and television, studying at Iowa State University and working for a number of stations, including NBC affiliates. He announced his first drag race in 1959 and went on to announce NHRA events for 44 years. He hosted NHRA coverage on TV for ESPN, ESPN2 and The Nashville Network. He was also the host of "Hot Rod TV," "The Hemmings Road Show" and "The Classics Road Show." McClelland has also served as the master of ceremonies at NHRA, SEMA and other industry events.
"Almost three generations of racers and automotive enthusiasts know Dave McClelland's unmistakable voice," said Terry Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum, which co-presents the award with the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show. "Those who work with Dave know you get so much more. He is the consummate professional who is always prepared. He is an emcee whose automotive knowledge, passion and natural enthusiasm holds the attention of any crowd. Dave is also a humble interviewer who does his homework and asks the questions fans want to know the answers to. He is and has been a truly great ambassador of our industry and sport who deserves to be honored with the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award."
The Grand Opening Breakfast, which is hosted by Barry Meguiar, president and CEO of Meguiar's Inc., will take place the morning of March 15 in the convention center's Sagamore Ballroom.
"I can't think of anyone more deserving of the Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award than Dave McClelland," Meguiar said. "For more than 50 years, Dave's voice has been 'the voice' for hot rodders as commentator for the NHRA, host of 'Hot Rod TV,' the perennial master of ceremonies for the annual SEMA Show gala and for car guy events all over the country. He's in a class all of his own when it comes to his broadcasting skills, knowledge and expertise on everything related to hot rodding and truly being the very essence of what makes car guys so special."
McClelland is the twelfth recipient of The Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented annually to pioneers in the hot rod and restoration industry. The award has also been presented to Wally Parks, Carroll Shelby, George Barris, Vic Edelbrock, Andy Granatelli, The Ford Family, Alex Xydias, “Speedy” Bill Smith, Jack Roush, Jack Chisenhall and Ed "Isky" Iskenderian.
"When I was informed of the selection to be the recipient of the Petersen Award for 2013, I was speechless¯not a good thing for an announcer," McClelland said. "The idea that I was chosen was truly the furthest thing from my mind at the time. Needless to say, I am sincerely humbled and honored, and I am most appreciative to all for the selection. It is one of the high points of my life and career. Thanks to all and hope to see you in Indy."
The Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show takes place March 14–16, 2013 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Celebrating its 15th year in 2013, the trade show is the only business-to-business event serving the businesses involved in building hot rods, street rods, muscle cars and classic trucks.
For more information on the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show, please visit www.hotrodshow.com.
The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity. The Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, California 90036. Admission prices are $12 for general admission adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students with ID, $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members, active military with ID and children under five are admitted free. Parking is free for the first 30 minutes and $2.00 each additional 30 minutes. One hour validation with purchase of $20 or more in the Museum Store or Johnny Rockets located in the museum lobby. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum’s Web site at: www.petersen.org