Halls of Fame Part 1 of 5: Richmond

Starting today, The Outside Groove takes a look at the four major cities (and Kansas City) bidding on the proposed Nascar Hall of Fame. So where will YOU be seeing Dave Marcis' wingtips? Lets take a look...

RICHMOND

ESTABLISHED: 1607, or roughly when Joe Ruttman started running late models.

CONNECTION TO THE SOUTH: Capital of the Confederacy. You can't get a stronger connection than that.

CONNECTION TO NASCAR: Hosts two races a year, and was the site of Kyle Petty's bizarre first win.

OTHER SPORTS TEAMS: None, unless you count the legendary Richmond Spiders.

FORMER ABA FRANCHISE: Virginia Squires (Former players? The quite fro-worthy Dr. J and The Iceman).

STRONGEST PROPONENTS: Burtons and Sadlers and Rudd--oh my! Burtons and Sadlers and Rudd--oh my!

BIGGEST KNOCK AGAINST IT: "Hey kids, lets go take a trip to Richmond" doesn't exactly get the blood pumping.

FUN FACT: Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech in this city in 1775. This sentiment was echoed by Rusty Wallace in 2004, who said of teammate Ryan Newman, "Give me respect or give me a hot rod!"