BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A state well-known for its horse racing has made a vehicle well-known for its horsepower its official state sports car. 

At an event held Tuesday at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear conducted a ceremonial signing of legislation that, earlier this year, made the Chevrolet Corvette the Bluegrass State's official sports car.

House Bill 104 had officially been signed into law on April 26 by Beshear.

The General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant — which has been the only place where Corvettes have been built in the last 29 years — and the National Corvette Museum both are housed in Bowling Green.

The museum is a nonprofit foundation started in 1994 that has a purpose of "celebrating the invention of the Corvette and preserving its past, present and future," officials noted.

"As home to the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentuckians have long considered the Corvette to be Kentucky's sports car and a great symbol of Kentucky pride and craftsmanship," Beshear said. "House Bill 104, which was passed during the 2010 General Assembly, now makes that designation official. It was with great pleasure that I signed HB 104 into law."

State Rep. Jody Richards of Bowling Green, the primary sponsor of the bill, noted: "This signing is particularly important because the event is being held at the Corvette plant — the only place in the world where Corvettes are built. I think it is important that the community comes together to celebrate the now Official Sports Car of Kentucky and America's favorite sports car."

GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant manager Bob Parcell added: "This work force uses precision and craftsmanship to build each and every Corvette, and they have been doing so in Kentucky for 29 years.

"Our employees are excited to witness the ceremonial signing of the bill, and we appreciate the efforts of the state to add our iconic product to the list of state symbols," he continued.

Other leaders slated to speak at the event along with the governor, Parcell and Richards were the following: state Sen. Mike Reynolds, state Rep. Jim DeCesare, Warren County Judge Executive Mike Buchanon, Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker and Shane Colvard, who is the chairman of the UAW Local 2164.