It’s that time of year again, the time when “Gentleman, start your engines” is what every die-hard NASCAR fan is looking forward to hearing on the weekends. Yup, February 20 is the official start of the Nationwide series kicking off with the Daytona 500 being run on the newly paved Daytona International Speedway.

While covering the Charlotte Easyriders Show a couple of weeks ago, there was no way I was going to miss out on touring the new NASCAR Hall of Fame which is conveniently right next door to the Charlotte Convention Center where the Easyriders show is held. Here is what the founders of the museum had to say about their creation. “Located in Uptown Charlotte, the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, Sports Avenue retail outlet and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.” Couldn’t have said it better.

I enjoyed every minute touring the facilities and only wish I had had more time to check out all the interactive displays available. Next time. I thought y’all might like a little photo tour so enjoy. This is a must see for all ya Democrats attending the Democratic convention at the Charlotte Convention Center in 2012. It should allow a good break from the insanity.

For more info on the Hall of Fame go to: www.nascarhall.com.