Poetic justice was served on Sunday at the Pennzoil AutoFair presented by Advance Auto Parts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, when Brian De Pouli and his Botticelli Blue 1938 Buick Roadmaster claimed Best of Show honors after a spectacular four-day show.

De Pouli, a Demarest, New Jersey, native, had one of the most remarkable stories related to any AutoFair entrant. De Pouli's Roadmaster - one of 411 produced – was originally bought by well-known New York poet Mary Ballard Duryee for $1,900. After Duryee sold the car, De Pouli’s father bought it in 1984 and gave it to his son as a graduation present that required significant renovations. After 11 years of restoring the uniquely colored Buick, De Pouli began taking the car to shows.

"I’ve been coming to AutoFair since 1998 and I’ve been working on this for a long time," said De Pouli, who lives three miles from the speedway in Concord, North Carolina. “I’ve seen a lot of my friends win Best of Show at the speedway and I never thought that I’d be (in the winner’s circle) too. … It means a lot to win this at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I’m very excited that my kids get to be a part of it. They’ve already claimed the trophy as their own. I don’t think it’s my trophy anymore.”

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Four days of family-friendly fun and glistening cars against the sun-lit backdrop of Charlotte’s 1.5-mile superspeedway also included appearances by world-renowned car designer Chip Foose and displays saluting female racers and the 50th anniversary of both the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird.

On Sunday, judges presented additional awards to:

  • Best of Show Runner-up: Dennis Cook’s Marina Blue 1966 Chevy II
  • Best of Show Second Runner-up: John Jancic 's yellow 1970 Dodge Coronet RT
  • Bob Laidlein Award (Most Original): Paul Haddock’s 1932 black Buick Victoria Coupe
  • Mecklenburg Strelitz Award (Ladies’ Choice): Anderson Pearson’s Lancaster Grey 1941 Buick Roadmaster
  • Cabarrus Cup (Most Creative): Gene Phillips’ 1951 silver Kaiser Henry J
  • Concord Concours (Best Restoration): Greg Spears’ beige 1970 Ford Ranger XLT

TICKETS:
Fans can purchase tickets to upcoming speedway events including the April 28-30 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 28 by shopping online, calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or buying them at the gates.

KEEP TRACK:
Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and stay up to speed with all the happenings at the speedway, The Dirt Track and zMAX Dragway by following on Facebook, Twitter or on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s mobile app.