Daily Activities
- In the Driver's Seat presented by Brembo 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Gravity Racers 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Pit Crew Challenge Times vary.
- Fueled by Passion 10 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
About this exhibit
From soap box derbies to Indy car, stock car and drag racing, Driven to Win: Racing in America presented by General Motors guides visitors through the lives of those who invented their way into the winner's circle and often changed the world in the process.
In this permanent exhibition, you'll be transported to the winner's circle through interactive displays that include historic race cars, a multisensory theater, a pit crew challenge, racing simulators and more. You'll follow the twists and turns of American racing history, and you'll see how passionate people engineered world-changing innovations through the likes of racing icons such as A.J. Foyt, Lyn St. James, Dan Gurney and Bobby Unser. Learn about the racing world’s most dynamic personalities, ranging from Barney Oldfield, driver of Henry Ford's "999" in the early 1900s, to modern-day gymkhana sensation Ken Block.
Regardless of what your interest might be, the progression from competitive passion to innovation to winning is the same. And the sport of auto racing is especially good at bringing this sequence to life, as vibrantly illustrated throughout the exhibition. Feel the energy and emotion as you immerse yourself in the stories, images, thrills and sounds of auto racing.
Your Experience Includes:
- 50+ racing personalities
- 225 artifacts
- 22 race cars*
- 1 multisensory theater
- 15-minute film experience
- 24 interactives
- 6 driver simulators**
- 24,000 square feet of exhibit space
- 125 years of racing
*Additional cars may be added.
**Additional fee required.
Highlights
1965 Goldenrod Land Speed Race Car
On November 12, 1965, Goldenrod streaked across Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats at 409.277 miles per hour, setting a new land speed record for wheel-driven cars. Builders Bob and Bill Summers powered Goldenrod with four massive Chrysler V-8 engines. Although other car builders copied its sleek design, Goldenrod held the record until 1991.
1965 Lotus-Ford Race Car
Scotsman Jim Clark won the Indianapolis 500 with this rear-engine car in 1965. After his victory, a traditional front-engine car never won that race again. The Lotus-Ford combined a European Formula One-inspired lightweight chassis with a big Ford V-8 engine. The Lotus-Ford's success effectively killed the traditional Indy roadster and established a new design for American race cars.
1958 Moore/Unser Pikes Peak Hill Climb Racing Car. On loan from the Museum of American Speed, Lincoln, NE.
How do you win the Pikes Peak Hill Climb nine times in 13 years? (1) Drive well. (2) Continually improve your car. Bobby Unser had already won the event twice when he wheeled this car to victory in 1959. Over the following years, he made the car lighter by modifying the frame and suspension and switching to an aluminum radiator, transmission case, and fuel tank. Unser drove it to six more wins.
Driven to Win
Experience and Innovation Learning Partners
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