Get ready to rev up your engine with Rusty Wallace, a member of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame, as he takes the pole position as the guest speaker for the Blount Partnership’s Best of Blount Awards, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m., at the Clayton Center for the Arts on the Maryville College campus.
Tickets are $30 and available by calling the Blount Partnership 865.983.2241, online at www.blountchamber.com or at the Partnership office located at 201 S. Washington St., in Maryville. A premium $45 ticket is available for special seating and a photo and autograph opportunity with Wallace prior to the event.
The Best of Blount Awards focus on the Blount County community as a whole rather than only on the business sector. It celebrates those individuals and businesses that give their time and resources to make this area an outstanding place to live and work.
Awards will be given for Philanthropist of the Year, Community Impact Award, Bright Future Award, Business of the Year and the Tourism Award.
“We are really excited to have a racing legend Rusty Wallace be part of our awards program,” said Bryan Daniels, Blount Partnership president/CEO. “He’s known for more than NASCAR this area. As the owner of seven automobile dealerships in East Tennessee he understands what a great place this is to do business and will offer insight as to what it takes to be a champion.”
Wallace, who was inducted in NASCAR’s Hall of Fame in 2013, posted 55 victories in his 25-year career. He was especially adept on the circuit’s short tracks, winning 25 times at Bristol, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro and Richmond.
Racing is a family thing for the 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion as he followed his father onto the race track – a path also taken by brothers Mike and Kenny.
Last year’s winners include Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks & Recreation Commission (Tourism Award), Tony Saddy, Get Fit Maryville (Bright Future Award), DENSO (Large Business of the Year), Meals on Wheels from the Blount County Community Action Agency (Community Impact Award), MK Russell & Abbott (Small Business of the Year), and Tom Hatcher (Philanthropist of the Year).
Best of Blount sponsors include Clayton, Vanderbilt Mortgage, Rusty Wallace Kia, DENSO, TVA, Alcoa Inc., Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville College and WATE-TV.