NASHVILLE -- Sam Bass has always had a passion for fast cars and fine art. His passion is about to spill over onto the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville later in the 2009 racing season as he and the staff at the Fairgrounds Speedway unveil a new custom, one-of-a-kind trophy. The trophy will be presented to the top-three division champions at the season-ending banquet in downtown Nashville.

Bass is the most celebrated and recognizable artist in motorsports with a history dating back over 25 years. Since 1987, he has used his artistic gifts and talent to etch out his place in racing history by designing everything from corporate racing team graphics to original paintings, ad campaigns, custom guitars, logos, posters, and apparel.

Track promoter Danny Denson said, “We are completely thrilled to have a man of Sam’s prominence coming aboard to design a special trophy for our racers. We feel honored. Sam came by a few months ago and donated 20 posters for us to use in our newly-renovated Media Suite. He has agreed to design a trophy that will soon become synonymous with the Fairgrounds Speedway and coveted by our drivers. He has told us his artistic vision of how the trophy will look and we can hardly wait to see his visions come to life on the canvas.”

I love Nashville and I’ve always said I want a second home here. I was thrilled at the prospect of designing a special trophy for a place as significant as the Fairgrounds Speedway. Most legendary drivers in racing have come through that facility at one time or another. There is a ton of history there. I have some unique ideas for how I want the trophy to represent such a historical track, but we’re still in the design stage right now.” said Bass.

Please stay tuned for further details from the Fairgrounds Speedway and Sam Bass.

About Sam

Fans and peers agree, Sam Bass has distinguished himself as the premier artist in NASCAR racing for more than 25 years! Striking a perfect balance of creative design and artistic output, Bass’ passion for stock car racing continues to gain momentum.

The 47-year-old Virginian goes down in history as the first officially licensed artist in NASCAR and one of the most sought-after designers in American motorsports.

Many people go through their lives never fully realizing their “true calling”, but this was never an issue with Bass. A hint of artistic talent began emerging as a six-year-old child when the budding artist would paint and redesign his toy Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars as soon as his mother brought them home!

From elementary school through his college days, Bass refined his artistic skills with his studies in graphic design and art history, earning top honors and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1984.

Coming out of college Bass knew it would not be easy carving out a unique niche and career in an already well-established professional sports market, but he remained undaunted. Bass understood early on in his career the importance of networking with the NASCAR community, visiting tracks, meeting drivers and NASCAR officials, and putting a face with a name.

Several of Bass’ early encounters proved to be significant steppingstones along his career path:

Joyner Paint & Frame in Petersburg, Virginia extended credit for art supplies while Bass attended college.

Bass’ decision to pay an impromptu visit to Paul Sawyer, president of Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway and Bass’ hometown track.

Bass’ patience and persistence was tested as he waited by a security gate at Talladega Superspeedway hoping to meet his boyhood hero, Bobby Allison. His persistence paid off.

Next came the tap on Dale Earnhardt’s driver’s side window, sparking a coveted professional relationship with the “Intimidator” that lasted until Earnhardt’s untimely death in 2001.

Bass then took full advantage of a chance to be “seen and heard” through a scheduled meeting with Robb Griggs, the publisher and owner of Winston Cup Scene and Grand National Illustrated.

And one of the most meaningful road trips Bass ever undertook afforded him the opportunity to gain an introduction to H. A. “Humpy” Wheeler, former president of Charlotte Motor Speedway, now Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Wheeler would later describe Bass as “the man who brought Technicolor to a black-and-white sport”. As Bass longed to bring fine art to a commercial sport, Wheeler was instrumental in helping him take his passion to the next level, granting him the opportunity to create the speedway’s fan program cover art. In 2006, Bass reached a milestone of 50 consecutive cover illustrations for the Charlotte track.

In the 1980s Bass knew he had the creativity and talent, so he pushed himself along with a never-ending drive and it began to pay dividends. Bass’ work started to dot the walls and halls of Fortune 500 companies and racetrack offices and media centers around the country.

Ranked at the top of his list as an early career highlight, in 1988 Bass designed the paint scheme for his childhood favorite driver Bobby Allison and the #12 Miller High Life Buick. The race car went straight from the drawing board to the checkered flag in The Great American Race; the Daytona 500!

With hundreds of paint schemes and a thick portfolio of hard-earned experience behind him, Bass is credited with changing the perspective of fans and sponsors and the way they now observe NASCAR racing. His 1993 “rainbow warrior” paint scheme for Jeff Gordon’s #24 DuPont Chevy Monte Carlo was a groundbreaking achievement and became an icon in the sport.

For more than 25 years, Bass - with strokes of his paint brush - has witnessed and recorded NASCAR Cup champions, rookies-of-the-year, award-winning paint schemes and historic moments in America’s fastest growing sport. Bass’ work also includes sports collectibles, die cast, track
mascots, logos, posters, unique winner’s trophies’ like the Nashville Superspeedway’s Gibson guitar, and myriad driver uniforms and helmets bearing Bass’ creative mark!

Fortunate to work with top names in racing - Earnhardt, Gordon, Allison, Petty, Wallace, Foyt, Andretti, Elliott - Bass’ work reigns superior among racers and race fans. While his innovative car designs revolutionized the “color” of NASCAR, his original art and use of explosive shapes and colors continue to fascinate the onlooker. While Bass may now be considered a “grown-up” in the sport, he remains young in his ever-evolving ideas, vision for the future, and his fan-friendly, approachable personality.

In October 2000 one of Bass’ highest aspirations came to fruition behind turn two of Lowe’s Motor Speedway - the opening of the Sam Bass Gallery! As the only art gallery exclusively dedicated to the art of NASCAR, it proved to be a testament to Bass’ long journey and acquired relationships with his steadfast supporters. Fans are mesmerized as they slowly peruse the gallery walls gazing at hundreds of illustrations and the history of NASCAR. Sheet metal from Bass-designed cars hangs proudly overhead, some of it showroom pristine, some displaying the battle scars of on-track competition. Visitors can also enjoy a glimpse into the artistic passion for Bass’ other love, music and guitars, many of which he has strummed or designed. Bass has a vast collection of rock n’roll memorabilia and fans are encouraged and welcomed to view his work and collectibles. For up-to-date gallery information regarding hours, special events and promotions visit www.sambass.com or call (800) 556-5464.

With the support of his family and longtime collectors, Bass’ impact on auto racing is far from over. In actuality, he’s only just begun the next chapter of his career as America’s most recognized motorsports artist!