American motorsports history at its finest

The Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona is not only home of the Auto Club Raceway where the first official NHRA drag race took place, but also home of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California.

“It was Wally’s dream and we are proud that he was around to enjoy it,” Greg Sharp, the museum curator said.

The 28,000 square-foot facility was opened to the public on April 4, 1998 to celebrate the impact of motorsports on our culture. The museum allows NHRA enthusiasts and novices to experience American motorsports history firsthand.

“There is just so much history preserved in that place,” said David Savadra, a Claremont resident and dedicated NHRA follower. “I could spend all day in there and never get bored.”

The museum showcases famous winning cars from more than 50 years of drag racing as well as cases full of helmets, trophies, uniforms, newspaper clippings, magazines and photographs. There are also stories and biographies about several different drag racing pioneers including Wally Parks, Buddy Garner, “TV Tommy”, Mickey Thompson and Jack Hart.

“People like all of the memorabilia and photos in the cases,” Sharp said. “That is what makes us different from other museums.”

“My favorite display would have to be about the dry lake bed races,” Savadra said. “They are what started it all and not many people know about them.”

The museum also has several unique displays including Wally’s Garage, which is an interactive area that allows visitors to watch while actual cars are being restored, a fuel flow display and a hands-on Christmas Tree operating display.

And there’s a gift shop for visitors to pick up a souvenir after a fun-filled day of drag racing history.

The first Wednesday of every month, April through December, the Cal-Rods Car Club hosts a “Twilight Cruise” on behalf of the museum and invites all 1970 and earlier hot rods, customs, classics and muscle cars to the museum parking lot for some fun. Admission is free and everyone who attends may visit the museum free of charge. The cruises feature the Budweiser Celebrity Picks, a 50/50 drawing, food and drinks.

The museum also produces 2 annual Hot Rod Reunions, the California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, Calif. and the National Hot Rod Reunion held in Bowling Green, Ky. The reunions feature drag racing, car shows and entertainment.

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 McKinley Ave. in Pomona. It is open year-round, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Current NHRA members receive free admittance. Admission for non-members is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors 60 and older, $4 for juniors 6 though 15 and children under the age of 5 are free.