Photo – Elmhurst Historical Museum exhibit Feb 1 to May 19, 2013

“On the Road to Glory: Fred Lorenzen,” Racing Legend and Hometown Hero

Designated as one of the top 50 NASCAR drivers of all time in 1998, Fred Lorenzen‘s, rise in NASCAR is like a shooting star, shining brightly during a substantial part of its golden era in the 1960’s. For five years from 1962 to 1967, Lorenzen’s star power was at its brightest as he dominated NASCAR’s racing circuit, winning numerous major races and defeating the best drivers of his day with an amazing 21 wins.

Seldom running a full-schedule, Fred Lorenzen didn’t race for points or a championship in NASCAR’s top series – then known as the Grand National. In 1963 Lorenzen finished third in points, in the midst of an amazing five-year winning streak and first-accomplishments, that at the time were unprecedented and although at times overlooked, their brilliance remain incredible with the test of time, in the history of NASCAR. During Lorenzen’s career of 158 races, he earned 26 wins, 84 top-tens and 32 poles, thus remaining an uncrowned King of NASCAR during its golden years.

When you look at Lorenzen’s accomplishments it’s hard to believe his story has garnered so little attention, recognition or acknowledgement within today’s NASCAR world:

• 1958 and 1959 USAC Champion, making Lorenzen the first northern to become a NASCAR champion
• 1963 became the first driver to earn over $100,000 in a single season. In that amazing year, Lorenzen won six races including, the Atlanta 500, the World 600; the Volunteer 500, the Western North Carolina 500; the Mountaineer 300 and the Old Dominion 500, bringing home an unprecedented, for its time, $122,000.
• 1964 Lorenzen broke that record with eight wins including, the Southeastern 500 at Bristol; the Atlanta 500; the Gwen Staley 500 at North Wilkesboro; the Virginia 500 at Martinsville; the Rebel 300 at Darlington; the Volunteer 500; the Old Dominion 500 and the National 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. What makes this feat even more amazing is that Lorenzen only raced 16 races, winning half his total races for the season.
• In 1965 Lorenzen won: the Daytona 500; the Virginia 500; the World 600 and the National 400, becoming the first driver to complete the Grand Slam of stock car racing.

For fans wanting to know more about this golden era, uncrowned NASCAR King, a new exhibit at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, called “On the Road to Glory: Fred Lorenzen,” brings to light the story of Elmhurst native Fred Lorenzen. The exhibit, on display from February 1 through May 19, 2013, traces the route of a fast-driving local kid who blazed a trail into the annals of NASCAR history as the growing sport emerged on the national scene in the 1960s. The exhibit is supported by Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet and the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation.

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Known to his fans as “Fearless Freddie,” “The Golden Boy,” and “The Elmhurst Express,” Lorenzen drove his way into the hearts of racing fans with his skill on the track, movie star looks, a polished and professional demeanor, and a close connection with his cars and pit crews. As Elmhurst Historical Museum’s curator of exhibits Lance Tawzer tells it, this is a human interest story about perseverance and dreaming big as much as it is about NASCAR racing history.

“When we researched subjects for our history exhibits, we look at a lot of factors,” said Tawzer. “But most of all, we look for a compelling story that hasn’t necessarily been told. Fred Lorenzen’s life is that kind of story: it has grit, heart and glamour, and it tells how a regular guy from the neighborhood made it to the pinnacle of his sport through hard work and determination. The more we found out about Fred’s life and career, the more we knew this was an important story for us to bring to the public.”

For Fred Lorenzen’s daughter, Amanda Gardstrom, the extent of her father’s fame was not realized until she became an adult, “As kids growing up in Elmhurst, we had a very normal childhood,” Gardstrom said. “For us, he was our dad and other than the trophies around our house, we knew very little about his fame. It’s now quite humbling to realize the impact he had on the racing world and the people who knew and respected him. My dad still has a lot of fans out there, and we are thrilled that this exhibit is honoring his career in such a special way.”

The “On the Road to Glory: Fred Lorenzen” exhibit features many items on loan to the Elmhurst Historical Museum by the Lorenzen family and local collectors, as well as artifacts from the NASCAR Hall of Fame in North Carolina, the Illinois Stock Car Hall of Fame, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame in Detroit. Some highlights include:

• Trophies from some of Lorenzen’s major wins including the ’65 Daytona 500
• Exciting racing footage from the NASCAR Hall of Fame archives
• Exhibit text written by NASCAR sports writer Ben White
• Lorenzen’s fire suit, helmet and other racing gear
• Interviews with racing greats who knew Fred, including Bobby Allison and many more
• Many previously unpublished photographs from throughout Lorenzen’s career
• Film clips from the driver’s short-lived Hollywood adventures including an appearance in the 1968 “B” movie, The Speed Lovers.

The arrival of Holman-Moody #28 Ford Galaxie Tribute car at the Elmhurst Historical Museum
Photo – Elmhurst Historical Museum Facebook page

In addition there are many special programs and events focused on the Fred Lorenzen exhibit. Fans can see the authentic Fred Lorenzen #28 tribute car, an exact replica of Lorenzen’s 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 Fastback that he raced for the Holman-Moody team on the museum grounds, during the exhibit’s opening weekend February 1-3, from 1 to 5 pm

February 10th, from 1 – 3 pm families with children 4+ (accompanied by an adult) are invited to drop by the museum’s Education Center for a make-n-take workshop, where participants will snap together an awesome Lamborghini or Corvette Sting Ray. Cost is $3 for members and $5 for non-members.

February 28th at 7pm Scott Paddock, President of Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, will discuss the fast-paced business of stock car racing and the emergence of the popular sport. Paddock, a veteran of the sports marketing industry, will discuss the economics of the racing business and the growth of the NASCAR brand in the Midwest. Admission is free.

March 21 at 7 pm Award-winning writer Jerry Bonkowski, who has covered NASCAR and other sports for nearly 20 years, will be joined by Bernie Bernacki, a collector of car racing memorabilia from Chicago-area tracks. Get the inside scoop on the racing world, hear how this specialized sport has changed over the years, and view rare photos of Chicago racing’s heyday. Admission is free.

This is a do not miss exhibit for racing fans in the Chicagoland area or if you will be visiting the area during the exhibit’s run at the Elmhurst Historical Museum located at 120 E. Park Avenue in downtown Elmhurst. General admission is free and fans can get more information by calling 630-833-1457 or by visiting their website at ElmhurstHistory.org

For this Chicagoland fan, the “On the Road to Glory: Fred Lorenzen” exhibit was a joy to experience, while finally seeing this hometown NASCAR hero get the honor, recognition and acknowledgement he has so humbly gone without for too many years. The next logical step as Fred Lorenzen continues his road to glory, is his well-deserved induction into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame.