By Leonard Thornton
For The Tennessean
GLADEVILLE, Tenn. Theresa Duke says her entire family
has auto racing in its blood and that's one reason why she
picked up an application recently for a new Tennessee NASCAR
state license plate.
''(Race-car driver) Casey Atwood is my nephew,'' said Duke,
of Nashville.
Gary Buker, who lives in Lebanon, picked up an application,
as well, and said, ''I attend as many races as I can, and
I'm glad to be able to show my support with the license plate.''
Representatives of the Tennessee State Museum and models
from the Hurd Agency handed out applications for the new NASCAR
license plate to throngs of fans before yesterday's Pepsi
300 race at Nashville Superspeedway.
The sale of the tags will benefit the Tennessee State Museum
Foundation and Bristol Speedway Children's Charities in East
Tennessee. However, before the tags can go on sale, at least
1,000 applications with a check or money order for the $35
personalized plate must be collected.
''Most people do not have their checkbooks with them, so
we are just giving them the applications and asking them to
mail them in,'' said Beth Lekander, who was at the speedway
representing the museum.
Meanwhile, Alan White, one of the Hurd models helping to
distribute applications, said he was running into people from
out of state who were taking applications even though they
couldn't use them.
Yesterday's effort was the first of many events intended
as a way to distribute applications to the public, according
to Paulette Fox, public program director for the state museum.
''We will be going to one of the malls,'' Fox said. ''I'm
sure (people) will have their checkbooks with them at the
mall.''