"On the Road to Glory" - Fred Lorenzen

Fred Lorenzen

by Bernie Biernacki

ELMHURST, IL – In his twilight years, Fred Lorenzen, NASCAR’s original “Golden Boy”, will be honored by his hometown with a more than three-month long exhibition of his racing career and life beginning Friday, Feb. 1, at the Elmhurst Historical Museum.

“On the Road to Glory” brings to light the story of Elmhurst native Lorenzen who become one of early NASCAR’s prominent drivers and a long-time fan favorite. When you hear the list of accomplishments achieved by Lorenzen, it’s hard to imagine that his story has remained under the radar: 

  • Winner of the 1965 Daytona 500 
  • First northerner to become a NASCAR star
  • First NASCAR driver to earn $100,000-plus in a single season
  • Named one of the Top 50 NASCAR drivers of all time
  • First NASCAR driver to complete the “Grand Slam” of stock car racing 

The exhibit, will be on display at the museum from Friday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, May 19,traces the route of a hardt-driving local kid who blazed a trail into the annals of NASCAR history as the growing sport emerged on the national scene in the 1960s. Known to his fans as “Fearless Freddie,” “The Golden Boy,” and “The Elmhurst Express,” Lorenzen drove his way into the hearts of racing fans with his skill on the track, movie star looks, a polished and professional demeanor, and a close connection with his cars and pit crews.

But according to Lance Tawzer, the museum’s curator of exhibits, Lorenzen’s story is more than just racing. 

“Lorenzen’s life combines grit, heart and glamour, and it tells how a regular guy from the neighborhood made it to the pinnacle of his sport through hard work and determination,” Tawzer said. “The more we found out about Fred’s life and career, the more we knew this was an important story for us to bring to the public.”  

For Lorenzen’s daughter, Amanda Lorenzen Gardstrom, the extent of her father’s fame was not realized until she became an adult. “As kids growing up in Elmhurst, we had a very normal childhood,” Gardstrom said. “For us, he was our Dad and other than the trophies around our house, we knew very little about his fame. It’s now quite humbling to realize the impact he had on the racing world and the people who knew and respected him. My Dad still has a lot of fans out there, and we are thrilled that this exhibit is honoring his career in such a special way.”

On the Road to Glory” features many items on loan to the museum by the Lorenzen family and local collectors, as well as artifacts from the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC, the Illinois Stock Car Hall of Fame near Rockford, IL, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame in Detroit. A few of the highlights include: trophies from some of Lorenzen’s major wins including the ’65 Daytona 500; racing footage from the NASCAR Hall of Fame archives; one of Lorenzen’s racing suits,,a helmet and other racing gear; televised interviews with racing greats who knew Fred, including Bobby Allison; many previously unpublished photographs from throughout Lorenzen’s career; and a film clip from the driver’s short-lived Hollywood adventures, including an appearance in the 1968 movie, “The Speed Lovers.”

The museum is hosting a number of exhibit-related programs and special events in the coming months related to the Lorenzen exhibit:

1) Lorenzen Tribute Car Appearance, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 1-3, from 1 to 5 p.m. each day: On opening weekend, museum visitors can check out the Fred Lorenzen tribute car, a replica of Lorenzen’s 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 Fastback that he raced for the Holman-Moody team. On the museum grounds.

2) Build-Your-Own Race Car Workshop, Sunday, Feb. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m.: Families with children ages 4+ (must be accompanied by adult) are invited to drop by the museum’s Education Center for a make-n-take workshop. Participants will snap together an awesome Lamborghini or Corvette Sting Ray. Cost: Members: $3, Non-Members: $5.

3) The Business of NASCAR Racing, Thursday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.: Scott Paddock, President of the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, will discuss the fast-paced business of stock car racing and the emergence of this popular sport. Paddock, a veteran of the sports marketing industry, will discuss the economics of the racing business and the growth of the NASCAR brand in the Midwest. Part of the ongoing “It’s History” series for adults held in the Education Center. Free Admission.

4) NASCAR, From Beaches to Billions, Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m.: Award-winning writer Jerry Bonkowski, who has covered NASCAR and other sports for nearly 20 years, will be joined by Bernie Biernacki, a freelance automotive writer from the Chicago-area and the nations. Get the inside scoop on the racing world, hear how this specialized sport has changed over the years, and view rare photos of Chicago racing’s heyday. Part of the ongoing “It’s History” series for adults held in the Education Center. Free Admission. 

Elmhurst Historical Museum is located at 120 E. Park Ave. in downtown Elmhurst (south of the Union Pacific railroad tracks and east of York Road). General admission is free with nominal fees, unless otherwise noted. For more information, call 630-833-1457 or visit the web site at www.elmhursthistory.org. The exhibit is supported by the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet and the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation.

Bernie Bernacki

Involved with Journalism since 1969. Through the years, weorked at several daily and weekly newspapers in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. During 1976 was editor of NSSN in Ridgewood, NJ. I have done features on racers from Gary Gabelich to Cale Yarborough, Bobby Rahal to Leon "Jigger" Sirois, Bay Darnell to Jack Bowsher, and Ed Rachanski to Arnie Beswick. I am a personal friend of Fred Lorenzen and frequently visit him at his nursing home. During the 1980s I covered the Indy 500 for different daily newspapers. As I am considered a senior citizen, my racing tastes favor vintage/historics - stock, sports car, Indy, drag racing, old race tracks. I try to focus on individuals  

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Volume 2011, Issue 10, Posted 7:17 PM, 01.30.2013