June 15, 2017

Southern Thunder Now Open in the Linn-Henley Gallery

Alabama’s Auto Racing Legacy Told in New Exhibit at Vulcan Park and Museum

Southern Thunder: The Legacy of Alabama Auto Racing

Birmingham, Ala. — Vulcan Park and Museum will unveil its newest Linn-Henley Gallery exhibit titled Southern

Thunder: The Legacy of Alabama Auto Racing at an invitation-only opening reception and media event on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. showcasing Red Farmer’s famed Ford Thunderbird and a Neil Bonnett tribute car on Vulcan’s overlook plaza.

Inspired by The Alabama Gang’s influence on auto racing, Southern Thunder showcases hair-raising stories and brings to life the impact that auto racing in Alabama had on the regional and national scenes. Educational videos portray Alabama’s racing history and sections of car engines on display demonstrate how math and engineering developments made a significant impact on safety in the industry.

“We’re proud to tell this fascinating story and organize this exhibit, with the support of our sponsors, for racing enthusiasts, our daily visitors, and the Birmingham community at large,” said Mark Akerman, Director of Education at Vulcan Park and Museum. “It’s an exciting way to educate our region of this piece of our history and the engineering innovations that came from it.”

In correlation with the 18-month exhibit, Vulcan Park and Museum will host community events including family movie nights, car shows, and a special Night with The Alabama Gang on Monday, October 16, 2017.

Join us as we relive this thrilling piece of Alabama history when driving by the seat of your pants wasn’t a figure of speech and learn why this legacy is the foundation for auto racing in Alabama today.

Southern Thunder is presented by the Jefferson County Commission with additional support from the Alabama Auto Racing Pioneers, Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, the Alabama Humanities Foundation, Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Talladega Superspeedway, Allen Oil, Sunny King Ford, Webb Concrete, Cheaha Electric, Krebs Engineering, o2ideas and Talladega Insurance.

For more details about the exhibit or the opening reception contact Morgan Berney Black, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, or see visitvulcan.com.

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