So Long, Novi! Motorsports Hall of Fame to Leave Town

The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, based in Novi, recently announced that it will move its operations and collection of historic racing machines and memorabilia to its new location at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., by January 2016.

"Daytona International Speedway is an iconic racing venue and will be a fitting home to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America," Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said in a news release. "Having the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America right here in Daytona will complement DAYTONA Rising and provide another reason for race fans to visit Daytona International Speedway."

The move coincides with the scheduled January 2016 completion of DAYTONA Rising, the speedway's $400 million front-stretch renovation project currently underway.

Plans call for the Hall of Fame's displays featuring cars, images, stories and bronze sculptures of 209 icons of American motorsports to be located in the Daytona International Speedway Ticket and Tours Building, which was formerly known as the "DAYTONA 500 Experience."

Vehicles and artifacts representative of the diversity of motorized competition celebrated by the Hall of Fame, including open wheel, stock cars, motorcycles, aviation, drag Racing, sports cars and powerboats, will be exhibited as a regular part of the tours admission at Daytona International Speedway.

"The partnership between Daytona International Speedway and the Hall of Fame is a match made in racing heaven," said Ron Watson, president of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, in the release. "The Hall gets a home within one of America's most famous and best-loved sports venues. Race fans and tourists who come to Daytona will have another great attraction to visit throughout the year."

Tickets for the next Motorsports Hall of Fame of America induction ceremony Aug. 6 at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit, can be purchased by calling 248-349-7223 or online at www.mshf.com.