NASCAR HOF premiers Rockin' & Racin' exhibit Tuesday

While NASCAR and music have been linked over the years, the two industries have become cozy bedfellows over the last decade with drivers appearing in music videos, artists sponsoring cars, and of course the pre-race live performances. Many drivers are music fans and many musicians are race fans. Charlotte-based drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jimmie Johnson show up at clubs on occasion for concerts. Heck there's even a sub-genre I refer to as NASCAR rock. The NASCAR Hall of Fame plays on that connection with the Rockin' & Racin' Exhibit, which it unveils to the public Tuesday.

Curated with the assistance of music execs Mike Curb (Curb Records) and Scott Borchetta (Big Machine Records) and 3 Doors Down's Brad Arnold, the collection boasts cars, uniforms, helmets, guitars, and other items that illustrate the connection between racing and music.

The cars, of course, are the biggest draw. Those include the 1964 Late Model Plymouth race car driven by Marty Robbins, the 1959 Corvette from Brad Paisley's "Old Alabama" video, the 2011 Camaro from Rascal Flatts' "Red Camaro" video, the 1936 moonshine hauling Ford Sedan from Brantley Gilbert's "Bottom's Up" video, Dale Earnhardt's 1980 No. 2 Chevrolet sponsored by Mike Curb, the 2005 NASCAR Weekly super truck driven by Scott Borchetta, and Juan Pablo Montoya's 2012 No. 42 Chevy sponsored by Taylor Swift.

Other notable items include Ron Hornaday Jr.'s Kiss-themed uniform and Rusty Wallace's Goo Goo Dolls helmet. There's also a digital jukebox with NASCAR-themed music (now there's an iTunes playlist idea for you).

The exhibit will run through 2014 in the Great Hall. Tickets run from $12.95 for children age 5 to 12 to $19.95 for adults. Seniors and military personnel receive a $2 discount. For more information about the rock and racing exhibit check out www.nascarhall.com.