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.''