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MADAME TUSSAUDS IMMORTALIZES
RICHARD PETTY, DALE EARNHARDT, JR.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Richard Petty stand with their life-sized wax
figures following their unveiling today by Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at
the new Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Both NASCAR Stars Unveil Wax Figures
During Grand Opening Of Neon Garage At LVMS
LAS VEGAS, March 9, 2007…. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas immortalized
Richard Petty, “The King” of NASCAR, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., currently
its most popular driver, in wax today in special ceremonies during the
first public opening of the new Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Both Petty and Earnhardt, Jr. were in attendance and participated in the
unveiling of their life-sized wax figures. Each wax figure will remain
in the Neon Garage for fans’ enjoyment during Saturday’s Busch Series
race and Sunday’s UAW Daimler Chrysler 400. The figures will then go to
their permanent home in the SPEED attraction at Madame Tussauds at The
Venetian Hotel Resort Casino on the Strip and join those of the late
seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt and four-time champ Jeff
Gordon.
When asked if he thought the figure looked like him, the
ever-personable, ever-humble Petty replied, “Yeah, I guess so. I don’t
know—I don’t ever look at myself in the mirror!”
Earnhardt, Jr. said, “It’s a big honor, especially to be up here with
Richard Petty. I don’t know which is a bigger honor—to be up here with
Richard or the wax figures!”
Rather than driving suits, both interactive figures are casually
dressed. The Petty figure appears in his trademark Western hat and
shirt, sunglasses, jeans and custom boots. Kaci Riggs, a custom hat
maker for the Charlie 1 Horse Co. in Garland, TX, provided Petty’s hat.
Gary Tucker, a custom boot maker in Las Vegas, made his boots. Earnhardt,
Jr. is hatless and dressed in a work shirt and Wrangler jeans.
“The new Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be a tremendous
addition to the auto racing experience at the track. We are very excited
to play a role in its grand opening and to have Richard Petty and Dale,
Jr. with us for the unveiling of their figures,” said Adrian Jones,
Madame Tussauds general manager.
“We are honored to be a part of this event,” said LVMS General Manager
Chris Powell. “Madame Tussauds is known throughout the world as a top
entertainment attraction. It is an exciting element for the Neon Garage
to have one of NASCAR’s most historic figures and its most popular
driver take part in this exciting event.”
The SPEED attraction at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is dedicated to auto
racing. It opened Aug. 23, 2005, with the life-sized figure of the late
Dale Earnhardt. Gordon joined Earnhardt in March 2006.
“The SPEED attraction will continue to recognize the stars of auto
racing on a long-term basis. We will immortalize more legendary
drivers,” Jones said.
Madame Tussauds is an international wax attraction that offers the
public the unique opportunity to “interact” with famous people. Madame
Tussauds operates museums in London, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Shanghai, New
York and at The Venetian Resort – Hotel - Casino on “The Strip” in Las
Vegas, NV. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is open seven days a week. For
attraction hours and pricing, please call 702-862-7800 or visit online
at www.mtvegas.com .
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