Ebert is trying to spread the fun of horsepower, competition and local heroes in the mountains of far Southwest Virginia.

Ricky Rudd, front right, and Jeff Burton, front left, lead the field as they take the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at North Carolina Motor Speedway on Feb. 21, 1999.

Amtrak and the N.C. Department of Transportation will run a special train for race fans from the Triangle to Rockingham Speedway on April 19, when NASCAR returns to the venerable North Carolina track.