Reviving Racing’s Glorious Past: The Legendary Fabulous Hudson Hornet NASCAR Champion Stars In New Documentary
The Hagerty Drivers Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a passion for preserving automotive heritage, proudly presents its latest documentary unveiling the captivating story of the oldest known NASCAR championship car – “The Fabulous Hudson Hornet.”
Dive into the riveting narrative as the film takes you on an awe-inspiring journey through the turn of events that propelled the small Detroit manufacturer to become a dominant force in the growing and exhilarating world of post-war stock car racing. It was an era that brought together the finest drivers of their time, with firm support from an automaker that grasped the essence of “win on Sunday, sell on Monday.”
The legacy of this enthralling chapter in motoring history paved the way for the modern racing spectacle we have today.
At the heart of the narrative lies a humble, self-taught racer Herb Thomas, one of the first shining stars in the realm of stock car racing. Thomas’s prowess on the track remains unparalleled, boasting the highest win percentage of any NASCAR driver, much of it achieved behind the wheel of the iconic Hudson Hornets.
The documentary offers an intimate look at Thomas’s life, with insightful interviews featuring his sons and grandson, automotive aficionado Jay Leno, the legendary Richard Petty, NASCAR historians, Pixar’s creative mastermind Jay Ward, and esteemed Hudson experts. This comprehensive storytelling breathes new life into the early days of America’s adored stock car racing sport.
The Fabulous Hudson Hornet Documentary
For many, echoes of this tale may resonate, having been immortalized in Pixar’s beloved Cars franchise, where the character “Doc Hudson” draws inspiration from Thomas’s remarkable career and the groundbreaking Hudson racing program.
Tom Jensen, Curatorial Affairs Manager at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, shared his excitement, saying;
“Herb Thomas set the standard for what a great race car driver was in the early 1950s: the combination of car and driver – Herb Thomas and Hudson – transformed the sport. Because of this and his incredible race record, Thomas was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2013, and we are thrilled to witness his sole surviving Hudson receive the recognition it deserves through this documentary and its inclusion in the esteemed National Historic Vehicle Register.”
The celebration of this automotive gem continues at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation with a special exhibit that debuted alongside the documentary’s premiere. T
he historic race car, a genuine symbol of triumph, will be proudly showcased at the museum until October 22, 2023. The exhibit forms part of a valued partnership between The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and the Hagerty Drivers Foundation, an alliance committed to presenting cars from the National Historic Vehicle Register, each playing an integral role in narrating the captivating story of the automobile in American history.
The 1952 Hornet, affectionately owned by Michigan collector Al Schultz, has been recognized with induction into the esteemed National Historic Vehicle Register in 2022.
It stands today as the only surviving factory racing Hornet and is the oldest known NASCAR-winning car to have graced the tracks. “The Fabulous Hudson Hornet” documentary, a testament to automotive heritage, can be enjoyed freely on the Hagerty Drivers Foundation’s YouTube channel, furthering their noble mission of safeguarding America’s automotive legacy for generations to come.
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