Contributor: Jamie Richardson
The inaugural Earnhardt Outdoors Showdown® will take place on Thursday, May 25th with pre-race entertainment starting at 2:30pm and a Legends Car Race at 5pm.
Old Armor Beer Company is hosting the event in partnership with US Legend Cars and Charlotte Motor Speedway, with the race taking place in the horseshoe area of the NC Research Campus.
🏁🖤 Old Armor co-owners Kyle Lingafelt and Stefan Perrine approached longtime friend, Kerry Earnhardt with the showdown idea as a way to celebrate Earnhardt Heritage. This year would have been the 72nd Birthday of Dale Earnhardt Sr. (The Intimidator), Kannapolis’ hometown hero and NASCAR legend.
Kerry Earnhardt, a former NASCAR driver and the eldest son of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, will serve as the Grand Marshall of the race. Kerry is also the owner of Earnhardt Outdoors, a lifestyle brand started by Kerry with his siblings Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Dale Earnhardt Jr., to share outdoors traditions.
- NASCAR drivers such as Kevin Harvick and Austin Hill will be participating as well. You might even spot “Lug Nut,” Charlotte Motor Speedway’s mascot. It’s a racing lover’s dream!
But that’s not all! There is plenty more for race fans to see and do. The event will feature pre-race entertainment beginning at 2:30pm, including Sofas on Wheels… push carts built by local businesses out of sofas as well as a Parade of Legend Cars. The Legends Car Race will start at 5pm.
There will be inflatables for kids as well as food trucks from What-A-Burger and Dogs on the Run. Local breweries and wineries including, Ass Clown Brewing Company and Childress Wines, will also be at the event.
🍺 Be sure and visit Old Armor to grab a glass of the newly released Earnhardt Outdoors Ale.
Photo credit: Old Armor Facebook
Concluding the race and awards ceremony Kerry Earnhardt will hold a meet and greet and autograph session at Old Armor.
While in Kannapolis, stop by the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Plaza which features a 9-foot, 900-pound bronze statue of Earnhardt. Learn more about the symbolism you will find at the plaza on the Explore Cabarrus website.
Photo credit: Old Armor Facebook
📹 BONUS CONTENT: Did you know that Kerry Earnhardt grew up as Kerry Key, adopted by his mother’s new husband, Jack, with zero knowledge he was adopted or that his father was actually the legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt. Check out the video, “Kerry Earnhardt’s Hometown History Tour: Growing Up Adopted & Meeting His Father Dale Earnhardt” on the Stapleton42 YouTube Channel. There are previously untold stories about what it was like growing up “Kerry Key” up to reconnecting with the Earnhardt family.
Planning to visit? Tell ’em Cabarrus Weekly sent ya!
