Fast Facts: Mike Curb

Mike Curb (right) with long-time co-owner Cary Agajanian
credit: NASCAR Media/Richard and Gina Fariello

One of the coolest places to visit in Kannapolis, NC is the Mike Curb Museum of Music and Motorsports, which showcases Curb’s love of and careers in both fields. Learn more about Curb and his contributions in and beyond motorsports and music in this week’s Fact Facts.

• Michael Curb was born Dec. 24, 1944 in Savannah, GA. As a freshman in college at California State University – San Fernando Valley in 1962-63, Curb composed the song “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda (Go Little Honda),” which was picked up by the company for a national advertising campaign. At age 19, he founded his first record company, Sidewalk Records, which kickstarted the careers of many West coast rock bands, including the Stone Poneys featuring Linda Rondstadt. In addition to writing and producing music, Curb was also front man for the group the Mike Curb Congregation in the 1960s.
• Among other artists Curb worked with over the years: The Osmonds, Lou Rawls, The Judds, Debby Boone, the Bellamy Brothers, Hank Williams Jr., Mel Tillis, Gloria Gaynor, LeAnn Rimes, JoDee Messina, Lyle Lovett, Tim McGraw and Lee Brice.
• Curb also got into politics in the 1970s and 1980s, serving as the co-chair for Ronald Reagan’s California campaign for President in 1976 and national campaign in 1980. In 1978, Curb was elected lieutenant governor of California.
• Curb has long been involved in motorsports as a sponsor and as a team owner with Cary Agajanian. Among his racing highlights: owner of the No. 43 for Richard Petty in 1984 and 1985, when he earned his 199^th and 200^th victories; sponsor on Dale Earnhardt’s 1980 Winston Cup series championship car; and owner of the 2011 Indianapolis 500-winning car driven by Dan Wheldon. Curb also earned wins as an owner with Johnny Sauter in both the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, and more than 180 World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series wins. In USAC competition, Curb became the first team owner to win all three championships in 2013: Silver Crown with Bobby East, Sprint Car with Bryan Clauson and Midget with Christopher Bell.

  

  Dan Wheldon's 2011 Indy 500-winning car at the Curb Museum
  credit: Paula Thompson

• Curb’s museum in Kannapolis features Wheldon’s winning Indy 500 car, Earnhardt’s 1980 championship car and trophy, Rimes’ first car, numerous gold and platinum records and much more. The museum is located at 600 Dale Earnhardt Blvd. in Kannapolis.
• Learn more about Mike Curb at www.mikecurb.com.