Grand Opening Ceremony Held for Bryan Clauson Suite Tower

KNOXVILLE, IA — The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum in Knoxville, Iowa, held the Grand Opening celebration for their new six-story Bryan Clauson Suite Tower. The excitement and emotions were high for all in attendance as racer Bryan Clauson was officially memorialized with a tower of 12 suites named in his honor overlooking turn two of the Knoxville Raceway.

Just ten short months ago Neumann Brothers were standing in the blistering June sun during the official ground breaking ceremony. Friends, family, racers and fans gathered outside the track and shoveled the first piles of dirt with tears, laughter and a little bit of drama (a few poor souls hit the dirt – it was quite hot). Once the shiny ceremonial shovels were boxed away, Scott Parker and his crew got right to work. Neumann crews and subcontractors powered through the summer heat and brutally cold winter to complete the project in time for the 2018 race season.

This was more than a typical design-build, ground-up, fast-paced project. The emotional investment in this tower goes beyond a necessity for more space. Architect Matt Keller (with Neumann's in-house subsidiary, DesignBuild Solutions) and Senior Vice President Chad Bunner have been working with National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum Executive Director Bob Baker since 2009.

“This project has been a blast from pre-construction, through design, construction and turnover” said Bunner. “Bob Baker and the museum have been nothing but exceptional to work with. We are pleased to have been involved in such an iconic addition to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum and the Knoxville Raceway Complex.”

For Superintendent Scott Parker this was a dream project. An avid race fan, he spends much of his free time down in the pits at the Knoxville Raceway preparing car, number 2KS, for the track. “I am honored and completely humbled to have been a part of the construction process for this project,” Parker said. “This is not just a building, it is a vision of so many people that I am proud to say I know…that made this happen. I look back on the 35 years or so that I have exited the pit-gate after a Saturday night in Knoxville and I have come to realize that I was part of something so exciting for racers and fans, this was truly a dream come true for me.”

Many heartfelt and excited speeches were given during the grand opening ceremony. Reoccurring themes throughout included amazement at what the crews accomplished in such a short time and recognition of their dedication and perseverance. Steve Van Wyk, Board President of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum, started his speech by thanking Neumann and the companies we worked with saying “every day this winter they showed up…January 2 they showed up and it was cold, they came to work but the machines did not [it was too cold for the hydraulics], that was the only day they didn’t work…to get us where we are today…and we are very appreciative.” City of Knoxville Mayor, Brian Hatch said, “From the planning to construction, the Bryan Clauson Suite Tower is a wonderful new addition that is second to none.”

The suites are now open for the 2018 race season. Several suites have already received a custom touch including new seating, storage, shelving and memorabilia that were designed, built and installed by Neumann Brothers.