IS CHATTING HOOPS ALL DAY
A surprised Andretti also was presented a re-created 1948 red Hudson, his first race car.
"I was flabbergasted," Andretti said yesterday from his Nazareth, Pa., home.
Referring to Dr. Fred Simeone, the museum's founder, Andretti said, "He's very sensitive to do the right things. He knew how important Alberto Ascari was to me. He was my idol. [Simeone] found his first competition license [from 1949] and put it in the plaque."
Ascari was a two-time Formula One racing champion.
"The museum is very impressive," Andretti said. "A lot of thought and passion has gone into it. What I like about it is the intention is to be educational."
Former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil chatted with Andretti, considered one of the all-time great racers. Then Andretti sat in the sprint car owned by Vermeil's father, Louie.
The museum, on Norwitch Drive near the Philadelphia Auto Mall, houses an impressive collection of racing sports cars. Included in the collection are a 1938 Ford driven by Louise Smith, the first lady of NASCAR, and a 1986 Buick Regal driven by David Pearson.
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