We are back to the
NAPARL series, with something unlike ever before! In this new carset, we're returning to the ICR mod and today's NAPARL racing machines, but for a special occasion, an exhibit by the NAPARL Hall of Fame. This carset is going be based around the Hall of Fame theme, building a full lore to the North American Professional Auto Racing League, built around a theoretical exhibit celebrating the series's Top 50 Drivers of all time. This carset will feature the 50 greatest drivers across the entrie history of the NAPARL since 1955, with all fifty drivers at the prime of their careers in today's NAPARL racing machines, including manufacturers and tires brought into today!
Something unique about these cars compared to the normal NAPARL cars is the addition of trim on the spoiler and side skirts. These are symbolic, with our honored drivers being divided into five categories. Drivers selected who don't have a series championship will be given a trim in the NAPARL red color. One time champions will have a bronze trim, two time champions have a silver trim, and three time champions have a golden trim. Finally, our greatest driver of all time and the only driver with more than three championships so far will be given a special, one of a kind holographic trim. He will be the final driver revealed of the 50, though the rest will not be made and presented in a particular order.
And now with all that said, let's see the first three cars to be on display and learn a little about their legendary drivers!
Of course, there's no better place to begin than the first NAPARL champion. John Carpenter captured the first and third championship in NAPARL Division 1's history, and pioneered the team organization that would be used going forward for many. The Georgia native built up Georgia Racing with a mix of both friends and professional engineers in his time, giving him an advantage for his short, but trailblazing career. Some even think that he played a role in the series' premier event being at Atlanta.
Richard Van Hook was one of the first big market racers, being from Philidelphia and attracting a whole new type of sponsor through Paine Webber, one of the first financial sponsors in series history. His time with George Bates Motorsports gave him the height of his career, as he captured his only title in 1978, with a great amount of wins to boot over more than twenty years in the series.
Finally for today is one of the most remarkable stories in NAPARL history. Ben Kramer was a decent prospect in open wheel racing and the Formula Racing Association in the late 80s, but made the switch to stock cars after a wild accident changed his perspective on open wheel racing. Not one to back down, Kramer used it as an opportunity and adopted 'Air' as his name heading into his NAPARL career. While he never won a series championship, he left an impact on the series and captured their most prestigious race in 1998.
We have 47 more drivers to honor for this exhibit, who will be next to be shown off? Stay tuned!