The Milwaukee County Historical Society will open Alan Kulwicki: A Champion’s Story, on April 5, 2013. The exhibit will remain on display until December 31, 2013.
Alan Kulwicki: A Champion’s Story highlights the life and racing career of Greenfield, Wisconsin’s Alan Kulwicki, the 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion. Growing up in a racing family, Alan began racing go-karts in the early 1970s, before moving to stock cars and running on dirt and pavement a few years later. He won races and championships throughout Southeast Wisconsin, including Slinger Speedway and the now-defunct Hales Corners and Cedarburg Speedways. In the early 1980s, Alan began to travel with the American Speed Association (ASA) circuit, winning five races and learning to race against the best drivers in the Midwest.
In 1985, Alan sold most of his equipment, packed a truck, and moved to North Carolina to break into NASCAR. A University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate and one of the most successful owner-drivers in NASCAR history, Alan won five NASCAR Winston Cup races, numerous pole positions, and in one of the most dramatic season-ending finishes in history, defeated Bill Elliott by a scant ten points to win the 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship. Sadly, the celebration was short-lived as Alan and five others were killed in a plane crash near Bristol Motor Speedway on April 1, 1993.
The exhibit, generously supported by the Kulwicki family, features numerous artifacts from Alan’s career including driving suits, helmets, trophies, and souvenirs, as well as extensive racing and interview footage. Of particular note are interactive kiosks that feature interviews with Alan’s racing family and an interactive racing game that allows the visitor to compete against Alan for the fastest lap. Milwaukee County Historical Society Executive Director, Scott Stroh, stated, “Alan’s story is truly inspirational. Through hard work, a commitment to education and learning, and strong family and community ties, Alan pursued and achieved his dream with passion and enthusiasm. He simply never gave up, and this exhibit, through an amazing variety of interactive displays and collection items, will showcase Alan’s life and legacy, and also provide insight into how his story is very much Milwaukee’s story.”
An opening reception will be held on Friday, April 5, 2013, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, 910 N. Old World 3rd Street, Milwaukee. The event is free and open to the public. Beginning on Saturday, April 6, 2013, admission to the exhibit will be $5.00 for adults, and free for youth under the age of twelve.
Questions about the exhibit may be directed to Jeff Kollath, Director of Museum Experience, Milwaukee County Historical Society. He can be reached via email at jkollath@milwaukeehistory.net or by phone at 414.273.7257.
For more information on the exhibit, please visit www.kulwickiexperience.com or www.milwaukeehistory.net.
Alan Kulwicki: A Champion’ Story Exhibit to Open
