2013 Museum Board - (L to R top): Dave McClelland, Glen Cromwell, Gale Banks, Thomas McKernan, Wayne McMurtry, Steve Gibbs and Jack O'Bannon. (Seated): Linda Louie and Alex Xydias |
POMONA, Calif. – The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California announced the election of two new members to their board of directors today.
The museum welcomes newly elected board members Linda Louie, vice president and general counsel for the NHRA, and Glen Cromwell, vice president of national event marketing for the NHRA.
“The museum board is pleased to have the ongoing support of NHRA executives in helping to preserve the rich history of racing and its future success,” said Thomas McKernan, chairman of the NHRA Motorsports Museum Board.
Louie joined NHRA in 1999. She received her bachelor’s degree from University of California, Los Angeles and her J.D. from the University of Southern California. Prior to NHRA, Louie was a business litigator in private law firms. She has been a lawyer for more than 20 years.
“I am honored to be able to do my part to support this aspect of Wally Parks’ legacy,” Louie said. “I look forward to working with the board of directors as the museum works to further itsmission.”
Cromwell joined NHRA in 1997 and is responsible for marketing services and a variety of functions at NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. He has also served as director of national event marketing and Division 7 (Pacific) director in NHRA’s National Field Office.
“Wally Parks worked hard to make the NHRA Museum the popular tourist destination that it is today,” said Cromwell. “I’m looking forward to working with the museum’s management team to offer positive feedback, and help develop resources to advance the museum’s projects, as well as provide long-term marketing goals that will continue Wally’s legacy.”
Rotating off of the museum board after serving 12 years is NHRA executive vice president and general manager Peter Clifford, and Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing, who served since 2005.
Gale Banks, president and founder of Gale Banks Engineering, and Jack O’Bannon, a five-time NHRA world championship team owner, were elected to the board in September. Louie and Cromwell will join the following board members: McKernan, Alex Xydias, Steve Gibbs, Dave McClelland, Wayne McMurtry, Banks and O’Bannon
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, long a dream of NHRA founder Wally Parks, opened to the public April 4, 1998, after years of planning and months of hard work cataloging and arranging the exhibit. Housed in a 28,500-square-foot building on the edge of the historic Los Angeles County Fairplex, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum's mission is to celebrate the impact of motorsports on our culture. We collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret the vehicles, stories, and artifacts that represent our affection for, and the influence of, automotive speed and style in all its forms. We are the place to view and learn about hot rods, customs, racecars and speed records, and the West Coast's role as the historic center for their past and present development.
The Museum features an impressive array of vintage and historical racing vehicles –- nearly 50 at the Grand Opening -- along with photographs, trophies, helmets and driving uniforms, artifacts, paintings, and other memorabilia chronicling more than 50 years of American motorsports. A gift shop offers a wide variety of souvenir items. The Museum is open during the annual Los Angeles County Fair. Please check the Fairplex website for hours of operation and admission prices (www.fairplex.com). Museum admission is just $1 with regular paid Fair admission ticket.
HOURS: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Extended hours during the NHRA Winternationals and NHRA Finals. Also, hours change during the annual Los Angeles County Fair.
HOLIDAYS WE ARE CLOSED: Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
ADMISSION PRICES: Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 60 and older, $6 for juniors 6 through 15, and free for children under the age of 5. AAA discount available.
HOW TO GET HERE: From the 10 fwy east, exit White Avenue, proceed North, turn left on McKinley Avenue, enter Fairplex Gate 1. From the 210 fwy, exit Fruit Avenue, proceed South, turn right on McKinley Avenue. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona. Call us at (909) 622-2133.
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Building 3A
Pomona CA, 91768
Museum Main Number: 909-622-2133
Museum Fax Number: 909-622-1206
Reunion Hotline: 909-622-8562
[email protected]