Bass Pro Shops’ NASCAR teams will feature special paint schemes over the Independence Day weekend to highlight the new NRA Museum that is set to open at the main Bass Pro Shops store in Springfield, Mo., early in 2013.
Jamie McMurray will drive the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona on July 7, while Austin Dillon will pilot the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona on July 6.
Dillon’s Nationwide Series entry is fielded by NRA Board Member Richard Childress, owner of Richard Childress Racing. Childress serves as Chairman of NRA’s Hunting & Wildlife Conservation Committee.
The over 10,000-square-foot NRA Museum will be inside Missouri’s No. 1 tourist attraction, the over 400,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops store and will be home to the finest sporting arms collection in the world. This spectacular showcase will offer the unique opportunity to view some of America’s most significant firearm treasures, as well as learn many historic facts about the NRA.
“Jamie and Austin are not only racers, but they’re also outdoorsmen and conservationists,” said Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops. “This was an excellent opportunity for us to announce the NRA Museum being at our flag ship store in Springfield.”
“It is very exciting to bring the NRA Museum to Bass Pro Shops’ Springfield, Mo., location to be a part of the largest outdoor retail store in America that attracts over 4 million visitors a year,” said Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President and CEO. “We look forward to the opening next year.”
The new museum will in fact be a satellite branch of the NRA National Firearms Museum located at NRA headquarters in Fairfax, Va.
“An exciting aspect of this exhibit is that it allows us to share some of the spectacular sporting arms we have here in Virginia,” said Museum Director Jim Supica. “Having a satellite branch in the Midwest also means that more people will have the opportunity to see the wonderful pieces donated to the NRA over the years.”
“I know that this is an exciting venture for Johnny Morris and all the folks at Bass Pro Shops to have the museum coming to the Springfield Bass Pro Shops store,” commented McMurray. “I think the NRA Museum paint scheme looks great on our Bass Pro Shops Chevy, and I look forward to having a strong showing with it at Daytona.”
“Bass Pro Shops has been a great supporter of my career and it’s an honor to carry their special NRA Museum paint scheme on my No. 3 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” commented Dillon, who also happens to be Childress’ grandson. “I hope we can have a strong showing for everyone from the NRA and Bass Pro Shops at Daytona and draw attention to the NRA Museum.”
The Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola Sprint Cup Series race is scheduled for Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. on TNT. The Subway Jalapeno 250 powered by Coca-Cola Nationwide Series Race is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday on ESPN. Visit www.NASCAR.com for additional race details.
