Document pm40OnGQoQrJLKXX8kErrg1bw

The 322-cubic inch '83 Camaro driven by Al Henderson, Jr. in NASCAR's Grand American Division. Al Henderson, Sr. takes time out to visit with one of the 3,000 guests. ...as does Al Henderson, Jr. (center, wearing light shirt) A sad-faced clown models the NAPA Gold The food line was busy... Hat. mu ii ii ...while the band played on. ...A NIGHT TO REMEMBER! guests waited patiently in line for their turn to throw a softball at a target which, when hit squarely, sent their favorite store em ployee or NAPA Mufflers & Shocks repre sentative splashing down into a tank of cold water. Small prizes (NAPA pens, key rings, etc.) were presented to all who mastered the various games and contests. At one end of the building, toward the center of the room, a large table was set up to display the variety of door prizes that would be given away throughout the even ing at drawings held every half-hour. Two grand prizes were reserved for the final drawing of the evening: a color television for the adult winner; and a new bicycle for the younger contestants. In the center of the building, a special area was cordoned off to display the race car driven by Al Henderson, Jr. in the Grand American Division at Nashville In ternational Speedway last May, where he finished runner-up to NASCAR Grand Na tional Champion Darrell Waltrip in the opening 100-lap stock car battle. (Al Henderson, Jr. was voted 1982 Sportsman of the Year by the NASCAR Grand Ameri can Division.) Positioned next to the car was the television to be given away later in the evening, on which a videotape of the race was played continuously throughout the evening. To help capture the spirit of the evening, a roaming photographer was hired by the Hendersons to snap candid Polaroids, which were immediately given to his guest subjects at no charge. Once the customers had visited with fac tory representatives, tried their luck at the various games, laughed at the antics of a troup of visiting clowns and enjoyed the complimentary popcorn, cotton candy and soft drinks located at various stations throughout the building, it was time for them to move outside of the building for a fish fry dinner. Under a series of big top tents, cafeteriastyle food lines were in place, offering: fried catfish, hot dogs, baked beans, cole slaw, french fries and soft drinks, with water melon for dessert. To help round out the evening's activities, a country western band stationed under a tent adjacent to the eating area provided music for dancing and entertainment for all. By the close of the festivities at 10 o'clock that evening, over 3,000 people had visited Lewisburg Auto Industrial & Welding's Customer Appreciation Night. Twenty-four hundred pounds of catfish had been consumed, and over 1,000 NAPA Gold Hats and visors had been given away. In short, it was an overwhelming success. A tired but pleased Al Henderson, Sr. was quick to give credit to the NAPA fac tory representatives and all of the Lewis burg Auto Industrial & Welding employees who were so instrumental in making the event a reality. "We're a close knit group here," said Henderson, "and there's no way we could have staged an event like this without this kind of team effort. We certain ly hope our customers enjoyed themselves and that they feel tonight was a success." As if reading Henderson's thoughts, a nearby customer just couldn't get over his amazement at the tremendous turnout. "Lewisburg Auto really did it up right," he commented. "If we could get an aerial pic ture of this town tomorrow, the whole land scape would be gold -- because, come to morrow, all of Lewisburg, Tennessee, is go ing to be wearing the NAPA Gold Hat!" 9