Renowned race car driver to lecture

Staff report

WARREN

In conjunction with its “Start Your Engines: Open Wheel Racing” exhibition, the National Packard Museum will present a one-hour lecture by Lynn Paxton at noon Saturday.

Paxton is a National Sprint Car hall of fame member and curator of the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs, Pa. His lecture will be titled “Tales from An Open Wheel Warrior.”

Paxton grew up around race cars. With a father who collected and restored antique cars and leased garage space to racers, he spent much of his time with race teams.

Paxton opened his own garage business in 1961 and began pursuing his dream of becoming a competitive driver. Over the next 20 years, his competitive nature and skill netted him more than 250 feature wins, 11 track championships and several other major victories.

He won in every variety of car ranging from late models, sportsman, sprints and midgets. Paxton retired from racing at the peak of his career but wanted to give back to the sport and preserve its history. He founded the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing and currently serves as president of its board. He also formerly served on the Sprint Car Hall of Fame’s board of directors.

The National Packard Museum is at 1899 Mahoning Ave. NW. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Saturday’s lecture is free with a paid admission. Tickets are $8 ($5 for seniors and children 7-12; free for children under 7).

For information, go to packardmuseum.org or call 330-394-1899.