NASCAR fans ‘undeck the halls’ at Hall of Fame

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Christmas may be over, but the crowd outside the NASCAR Hall of Fame looked more like a holiday shopping line on Thursday morning.

Devoted NASCAR fans waited for hours in hopes of scoring items you can’t buy in stores.

“I don’t need nothing else, but if they’re going to give it away, I’m going to take it,” said fan William Barnes.

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Barnes and Steve Gibson camped out overnight in the frigid weather to make sure they’d get first pick of items up for grabs at the 10th annual Undeck the Halls event.

The organization calls it a Christmas gift to its fans.

“This is the first time I’ve been number one in line,” Gibson said.

“It’s been worse. I’ve been out here in ice before, so this is pretty good here,” added Barnes.

Each fan who buys admission to the hall of fame can select one gift off the many decorated trees.

If you’re a hall of fame member like Gibson and Barnes, you can select an additional item off a special white tree, which is filled with autographed memorabilia.

“The first things to go are the most unique items,” said executive director Winston Kelley.

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In true NASCAR fashion, time is of the essence. A countdown clock is displayed on the wall and participants have less than a minute to make their selections.

Once the timer starts, it’s off to the races.

Gibson snatched up a plaque autographed by Jeff Gordon and other hall of famers.

“It was worth the wait,” he said.

Barnes grabbed an autographed helmet signed by all 2018 Ford drivers and a souped-up car, specially made for kids.

“I don’t think I can drive it, but it’ll be OK. It’ll look good in the house with the rest of the stuff,” Barnes said.