The Kentucky Derby is famous for its combination of horse-racing thrills (it’s the most exciting two minutes in sports!) and elegant fashion. But this year, as the Derby celebrates its 150th anniversary, fans can experience horsepower of a completely different kind … and one that’s just as much a part of Kentucky as horses.
Bowling Green, the third-largest city in the Bluegrass State, is home to the only Corvette manufacturing center in the entire world. It’s also home to the National Corvette Museum (NCM), a place that honors this automobile that’s a breed apart. (While an actual horse’s horsepower tops out at 15, newer Corvettes range from 490 to 670 horsepower, depending on model.)
The NCM is offering its own unique “Horsepower Experience” in honor of the Derby’s Sesquicentennial on select dates in April and May. With admission to the museum, a lap around a different kind of race track at the Motorsports Park in a C8 Corvette, Derby-influenced menu items at the museum’s own Stingray Grill (including a mint julep!), photo ops featuring traditional race elements (rose blanket, anyone?) and more, Bowling Green is embracing both kinds of horsepower this spring. This package will be sold for $249, but it’s valued at more than $330.
Can’t make it to the Experience, but still looking for something fun on your way to or from the Derby? There’s more horsepower where that came from! You can still check out the National Corvette Museum or sign up to take a Corvette out on the track. For something a bit milder but that still gets the adrenaline pumping, the Motorsports Park also offers go-karts you can take for a spin. Or you can head to one of the country’s oldest continuously operating drag strips at Beech Bend. The strip hosts a series of regular events and races, and you can view their schedule HERE.
Both horse and horsepower lovers will enjoy this unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the spirit of the Kentucky Derby and enjoy a different breed of fun this spring. To start planning your Derby side trip, head to www.visitbgky.com.
Bonus Fun Facts
- Triple Crown winner Secretariat was nicknamed “Big Red.” Here in Bowling Green, “Big Red” is the name of Western Kentucky University’s quirky mascot.
- Both Louisville and Bowling Green have iconic spires. You’ll find the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. Head to the Corvette Museum and one of the first things you’ll see is the 12-story red spire in the Skydome.
