Roland DG President Kohei Tanabe welcomed the attendees to the TrueVelocity event. In an interview later, he would tell me he sees convergence as one of the major trends in the industry.

One of 10 new printers released by the company this year, the XG-640 — a tremendous “value proposition,” according to Roland DGA President Dan Burmeister (not shown).

A race car wrapped with a XG-640 print provided an appropriate example for the event.

Another race car, the design for which seemed “a little busy,” as I joked with an RCR designer who admitted the challenge of fitting in all those little sponsor logos.

After the printer presentation, the group began a tour of the complex at the RCR Racing Museum.

Our museum guide (left), a former pit crew member, shared facts, anecdotes and more about the scores of retired race cars in the museum.

Dale Earnhardt had two stints driving for RCR, during which he enjoyed much of his success, including becoming the first race car driver to appear on a box of Wheaties.

Another Dale Earnhardt car, trophy (right) and wall wrap of a victory celebration.

A cool feature of the museum were the many race cars on display straight from the track, dust and dents included!

Richard Childress himself, who founded the whole enterprise with only $20 back in the 1960’s, spoke to the group before lunch.

Among the literally dozens of different buildings, race cars are assembled, as here, but nowhere, I mean nowhere did anyone see any grease, grime or dirt. The place is spotless!

Of course they wrap the race cars here, using Avery Dennison vinyl printed on Roland DGA equipment. Test wraps are done first, so that final versions are even better than inch-perfect.

A highlight of the tour was watching pit stop practice. The gas can the dude at back right is holding weighs 100 lbs! This full, fuel- and four-tire-change took 8.3 seconds, within a half-second of their goal.

My group’s event coordinator, Sarah (middle, with sweatshirt) — who is decidedly not short — poses with the pit crew. Thanks for a great job, Sarah!

Our Wonka-esque tour eventually found the signshop, where hangs a template overlaid with race-worn body parts.

Actually a separate company within the RCR umbrella, the shop runs many Roland DGA printers, some nonstop and others much longer than a decade.

The shop does wraps for other race cars as well as many other signage and graphics projects needed for the many RCR holdings, in addition to outside customers.

After the tour, the TrueVelocity event concluded at a lovely restaurant in Winston-Salem. I was fortunate to enjoy the company of three other members of the sign industry media — left to right are Alejandra, Gabby and Marie — throughout the tour and dinner. I met some fun people, learned a lot and had a great time. My hearty thanks to the hosts, Roland DGA!