McMurtry named to Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum BOD

Wayne McMurtry Named Board Member of Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

POMONA, Calif. (Mar.18, 2008) - The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum has a new Board member: Wayne McMurtry.

McMurtry, the NHRA's recently retired vice ¬president of facilities operation and development, and an NHRA employee since 1981, fills the seat left open after the passing of Board member Dick McClung.

A former NHRA world champion and two-time national event winner in Comp, McMurtry helped upgrade NHRA's facilities to ¬ballpark-type levels of professionalism and spectator amenities during his tenure.

"I'm looking forward to helping the Wally Parks Museum in any way I can," said McMurtry. "It's really become the place to see the history of hot rodding, drag racing and all forms of motorsports. The Museum's was Wally's dream and I hope I can contribute to its continued success."

"Wayne brings an assortment of skills from his days with the NHRA that will definitely help the Museum prosper," said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Parks Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California. "He's got a lot of great ideas and can't wait to start working with him."

McMurtry, who received a degree in structural engineering from Colorado State University, also was employed there as director of facilities in 1980 before joining the NHRA. He and his wife Ruth call Raton, New Mex., home, but share their time between Raton and Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary and named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free and Auto Club members enjoy a $2 discount. Admission for non-members is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and older, $5 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Museum is also available for private parties, meetings, corporate events, weddings and special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit museum.nhra.com.

-credit: wpmm