2012 March Race Winner: #2-Brad Keselowski, 93.037mph, started 5th

2011 August Race Winner: #2-Brad Keselowski, 96.753mph, started 8th

Track Race Record 1st Race: Cale Yarborough, Apr 1977, 100.989

Track Race Record 2nd Race: Charlie Glotzbach, July 1971, 101.074

Slowest Race Record: Ned Jarrett, July 1965, 61.826mph

Oldest Race Winner: Dale Earnhardt, 48 years, 3 months, 30 days, 8/28/1999

Youngest Race Winner: Kyle Busch, 21 years, 10 months, 23 days, 3/25/2007

Worst Starting Spot to Win: Elliott Sadler, March 2001, started 38th

2012 March Pole Sitter: #16-Greg Biffle, 125.215, finished 13th

2011 August Pole Sitter: #39-Ryan Newman, 122.811mph, finished 8th

Track Qualifying Record: #12-Ryan Newman, March 2003, 128.709mph, 14.908 secs

Oldest Pole Winner: Harry Gant, 54 years, 7 months, 17 days, 8/27/1994

Youngest Pole Winner: Joey Logano, 19 years, 9 months, 23 days, 3/19/2010

Most Wins - Active Driver: Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, 5

Most Wins - All Time: Darrell Waltrip, 12

Most Poles - Active Driver: Mark Martin, 9

Most Poles - All Time: Cale Yarborough, Mark Martin - 9

Most Top 5s: 26 - Richard Petty

Most Top 5s - Active: 16 - Mark Martin

Most Top 10s: 37 - Richard Petty

Most Top 10s - Active: 23 - Mark Martin

Most Cautions: 20 - 3 times, most recently 8/23/2003

Fewest Cautions: 0 - 7/11/1971

Most Caution Laps: 167, 7/25/1965

Fewest Caution Laps: 0, 7/11/1971

Most Running at the Finish: 42 - 3/15/2008

Fewest Running at the Finish: 7 - 3/20/1966

Most Lead Changes: 40 - 4/14/1991

Fewest Lead Changes: 0 - 3/25/1973

Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: 1 - Fred Lorenzen 7/26/1964

Most Laps Led by a Race Winner: 500 - Cale Yarborough, 3/25/1973

Most Wins by Manufacturer:
42 - Chevy;
33 - Ford;
8 - Dodge;
4 - Toyota;
17 - others

Bristol Pit Rules: Bristol Motor Speedway operates under a plan where one-pit road will be used during pit stops under caution. Currently, Bristol remains the only track in the Sprint Cup Series that utilizes two pit roads with 22 pit stalls on the frontstrect and 21 on the backstretch. Teams that pit on the backstretch used to be at a competitive disadvantage. Since the spring 2002 race at Bristol, teams will enter pit road in Turn 2 (the current backstretch pit entrance) drive around down the backstretch and around Turns 3 and 4 and exit in Turn 1. Under green-flag conditions teams will enter and exit pit road under the current two-pit-road scheme.

Jayski's Bristol Motor Motor Speedway Track News, Stats and Links page

Outside groove gone at Bristol: Bristol Motor Speedway has witnessed the initial laps on its recently altered surface. On day one of a two-day Goodyear Tire test #14-Tony Stewart, #31-Jeff Burton and #15-Clint Bowyer circled the half-mile concrete oval, and will wrap up the session on Wednesday. While it's impossible to predict how the racing action will be when NASCAR hits Bristol for August race week and the IRWIN Tools Night Race, the trio of drivers offered their comments following a full day of lapping the banks of Bristol. The same drivers will return on Wednesday to complete the Goodyear Tire test. Goodyear has mandated that the test sessions are closed to the public and media.
#14-Tony Stewart (who is the only driver to try to run the high groove): "Well, you've definitely lost the top groove. Guys who run up there aren't going to be able to do that because it's pretty slick up there. There's going to be less room to race, that's for sure. We've gone from a three-groove track to two grooves and any time you've got less room to get around it can get pretty interesting. I'm one of the guys who likes that high groove so it's really going to change things up for me. It'll change things for everybody though because when you take away room to race on a track this small with 43 cars… yeah, it's going to tighten things up."
#15-Clint Bowyer: "That outside line – the upper groove – is out of play now. There's going to be a lot closer racing then we've had here in the past. I don't typically run up there but a lot of guys do and I can't see them going up there now. If they do… it's pretty slippery and they'll figure that out in a hurry. The closer we have to race just means something's going to happen. Is it going to make fans happy? Well, narrowing up the track means less room to get around so there's no question there's going to be closer action."
#31-Jeff Burton: "Goodyear is looking to bring a tire with more grip. I really think they have found some stuff that is really promising. As for the track itself, I really can't imagine running up there in that top groove. I think it is going to force everyone more to the middle and bottom of the track. The drivers aren't going to be happy, but the spectators probably will be because it is going to put more cars in a closer space. By taking away that groove, it is going to change your mind about going up there. I think it is going to be two grooves, unless Goodyear brings a tire with a lot of grip. If that is the case, you'll want to run around the bottom. Making the groove smaller is a good thing, it is going to put the action back to the bottom and middle of the track. What has changed is up near the wall, the bottom is the same. Tony experimented and tried out that top groove, and I know he won't be trying that again. If people liked the older track more than the new, they are going to like this. This takes the top groove out and brings it back toward the old track. Taking the groove out moves the track closer to what it used to be."(see more quotes at bristolmotorspeedway.com)(6-13-2012)

Hotels partner with Bristol for lower-cost options: Twenty-four properties stretching from East Tennessee to Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina comprise the first group participating in the Bristol Motor Speedway Fan-Friendly Lodging Partnership Program for the IRWIN Tools Night Race in August. A continued effort to help guests of BMS with the overall cost of a trip to Bristol, the Fan-Friendly Program includes properties that require reduced or no minimum-night stays at lower costs than previous years. Prices for rooms at participating properties start at $35 and visitors are urged to check distance and research the property to determine which one best fits their needs.(BMS)(6-10-2012)

Earnhardt, Jr to appear at Bristol Diet Mountain Dew Half-Mile Club: When it comes to popularity, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Bristol Motor Speedway have plenty in common as both are number one in the hearts of race fans. Put Earnhardt Jr. and the World's Fastest Half-Mile together and it's a can't-miss combination that makes for an unforgettable experience as the driver of the Diet Mountain Dew-sponsored #88 goes after the coveted IRWIN Tools Night Race trophy Aug. 25. Adding to the excitement for Earnhardt Jr. fans is the opportunity to be the audience when the former BMS winner is scheduled to make an appearance in the hospitality area at the Diet Mountain Dew Half-Mile Club that afternoon. The Diet Mountain Dew Half-Mile Club features an exclusive member's-only gift pack, a Saturday track tour, door prizes, entertainment, a souvenir program, and NASCAR celebrity appearances. The Diet Mountain Dew Half-Mile Club is available for the IRWIN Tools Night Race. Limited tickets are available at a cost of $180 for adults and $135 for children 12 and under. To purchase Diet Mountain Dew Half-Mile Club individual hospitality, please call Amy Denton at (423) 989-6930.(BMS)(6-4-2012)

Bristol Motor Speedway Modification Project reaches halfway point: The starter has given the field the crossed-flags as the historical track-modification project at Bristol Motor Speedway reaches the halfway point. The milling of the upper groove in Turns 3 and 4 of the World’s Fastest Half-Mile is complete and the construction, or destruction, crew has relocated the equipment to Turns 1 and 2. Work resumed late Thursday (May 17). “It’s been an interesting process,” said BMS General Manager Jerry Caldwell. “We are asking this machinery to do something it wasn’t designed to do in unique conditions. We intended for this surface to last 15 to 18 years and now after five we are tearing up a large part of it and it isn’t giving up without a fight. We have had to replace a few machine parts doing it, but things are going well and the project will be complete in time for Goodyear’s tire test in mid-June.”(BMS PR)(5-21-2012)

Bristol providing more camping spaces for fans: A week after responding to fan requests by making major changes to the track surface, Bristol Motor Speedway General Manager Jerry Caldwell announced the next BMS fan initiative. Attacking the continuing economic challenges facing guests, Caldwell revealed a bold plan to arrange access to enough area property to expand BMS camping options by 700 spaces. Caldwell said it was an easy choice when deciding the Speedway's next fan project. A limited amount of camping spots remain on BMS property, but Caldwell said his goal is to have many of the 700 additional sites in place before current supply is gone. The August race week at BMS kicks off Aug. 22 with a doubleheader, which features the Camping World Truck Series race and the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 Whelen Modified event. On tap Aug. 24 is the Food City 250 Nationwide Series race, followed by the IRWIN Tools Night Race Sprint Cup event Aug. 25.(BMS)(5-6-2012)

Drivers comment on Bristol changes: Bruton Smith's decision not to seek driver input on how to fix Bristol Motor Speedway didn't sit well with several competitors in the Sprint Cup Series. And not all drivers are convinced the decision by the Speedway Motorsports Inc., chairman to grind the top groove will return racing at the half-mile track in Tennessee to the bumping and grinding it was known for before the 2007 reconfiguration. "I think they're wasting their time,'' points leader #16-Greg Biffle said on Friday at Richmond International Raceway. #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. agreed. "I believe the racing will be the same,'' he said. "I know they probably didn't have a lot of time between now and (the August) race to do everything they wanted to do. Just grinding will take away a little groove, but once we lay a little rubber down it'll be just like it was, which I think is fine.'' Kevin Harvick definitely took issue with Smith's comment during Wednesday's news conference that "I do not consult race drivers when I am building a speedway.'' "They were all gung ho on wanting to meet at Texas,'' Harvick said. "The next thing you knew, nobody showed up, nobody called, nobody wanted to talk anymore. I guess maybe they were embarrassed that they just wound up grinding it.'' Harvick said he was told by Don Hawk, SMI's vice president of business affairs, that Smith wanted to discuss changes at Bristol with him at Texas. Hawk acknowledged that Smith wanted to meet with Harvick and his team owner, Richard Childress, and the meeting didn't happen. Hawk said he apologized to Harvick and Childress via text. He added that several other drivers were contacted via text for input on the project, and that some responded and some didn't. He said Smith talked to Brad Keselowski by phone.(ESPN)(4-28-2012)

Goodyear will test at Bristol's new surface: With the track changes at Bristol Motor Speedway, Goodyear felt the need to hold a tire test to evaluate the new surface. We're happy with our current tire set-up at Bristol but we always have to keep up with track changes, so we plan to run a test to determine what will best suit the specific modifications made to Bristol," said Stu Grant, Goodyear's general manager of worldwide racing. "We will start out our test with the existing Bristol tire set-up, in order to determine if the changes to the track surface require any changes to our tread compound formulation. We'll then evaluate if the track surface has changed and if we'll need to bring back something different for the race in August." Being a concrete surface, we always need to manage the 'rubbering in' process," added Grant. "Concrete seems to be more sensitive to taking rubber, so we need to make sure we get the right combination of tires to match up with this race track. The most important thing to us is making sure the actual racing surface is the same from the bottom of the track to the top." Goodyear's tire test will be held at Bristol on June 12-13. Participating teams are to be determined.(Goodyear)(4-25-2012)

Bristol Motor Speedway will remove progressive banking: Less than a month after fan feedback convinced him to make changes to the concrete surface at Bristol Motor Speedway, Bruton Smith, Chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, announced his plans for significant modifications to the track. "I said when this process began last month that I would listen to what the fans said they wanted," Smith said. "After a week to 10 days, there was no question that the overwhelming majority was asking for alterations to the track. Since March 28, when we announced that changes would be made, we have listened to fans, heard from drivers and talked to engineers about what to do and how much time we had to do it. Once we knew the direction, we located the right equipment to make it happen." The changes concentrate on the progressive banking applied when the current track surface was put in place in the summer of 2007. "The majority of fans we heard from said they wanted adjustments made and the bulk of those said the progressive banking was what they didn't like," said Smith in explaining the decision-making process. "So, that's the focus of our efforts. And that is what we are working to change." When the deteriorating BMS track surface was replaced in 2007, variable banking was added. Often referred to as "progressive" because the degrees increase from bottom to top, the layout provided multiple lanes of racing on the famed short track. Smith said the choice to change the track surface did not come easy, but listening to the race fans always has served him well. "More and more fans kept asking us to do something to the track," Smith said. "So I put it out there. They spoke and we listened. I want them to be happy; I want them to love their experience in Bristol. This will accomplish that and I know they will be pleased with the result."(BMS)(4-25-2012)

Bristol Motor Speedway to announce changes on Apr 25th: On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, Bruton Smith, Chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and Jerry Caldwell, BMS general manager, are scheduled to make a special Bristol Motor Speedway announcement concerning alterations to the track surface. Prep work has already begun at BMS as teams have started removing the SAFER Barrier (BMS PR). See video of the removal at the Bristol Herald Courier.(4-12-2012)

Bruton Smith talks to Tennessee Governor about aid for track: Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and the owner of Bristol Motor Speedway discussed potential state assistance for the NASCAR venue Friday, two days after plans were announced to renovate the struggling track. Haslam and Bruton Smith, the North Carolina-based owner of Speedway Motorsports Inc., met in Nashville to hold "preliminary discussions" about potential aid. Speedway Motorsports plans to resurface Bristol before its next race in August in response to declining attendance and fan complaints about the quality of racing at the state's only Sprint Cup track. Restoring the track to its original configuration will cost about $1 million, according to The Associated Press. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, said he had spoken with Haslam about potential aid to Bristol, which lies within Ramsey's Senate district. "Attendance was down over 50,000 people, and just the lost sales taxes for two races would be $1 million in revenue," he said. "We have done things in the past - for tracks, for minor league ball clubs - and Bristol has never asked for anything before."(Tennessean)(4-5-2012)

Bruton Smith say changes will be made at Bristol: After more than a week of studying requested fan input, Bruton Smith, Chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, announced he has ordered the go-ahead to make changes to the track surface at Bristol Motor Speedway. “The race fans have spoken,” Smith said. “We had input that included a wide range of opinions. But the majority we heard from said they wanted to see changes made. As a result, I have ordered the equipment and work will begin within the next two weeks to allow time to have everything ready for August.” Smith said an announcement regarding the scope of the work will be made soon. “The question we wanted to answer as quickly as possible was ‘Is something going to be done?’ Smith said. “The answer to that is ‘yes.’ We will have the details in two weeks as to what that ‘something’ is.(BMS)(3-28-2012)

Tires -- not reinventing speedway -- might be Bristol's answer: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. had some advice for Bruton Smith: talk to the drivers before firming up plans to reinvent Bristol Motor Speedway. It might be a good idea for Smith to talk to Goodyear, too, given that changing the tires at Bristol might be a far less expensive alternative to changing the racetrack. Track owner Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., said he was embarrassed by the turnout for last Sunday's Sprint Cup race at the .533-mile track. Consensus was that the grandstands, which can seat 160,000 fans, were roughly half-full. Possible solutions could a include to a return to the one-groove racetrack that disappeared with a 2007 reconfiguration that added graduated banking and opened the outside lane. Side-by-side green-flag racing replaced the typical Bristol bump-and-run, which inevitably led to a rash of caution flags. Tires with more grip and faster degradation might change the complexion of racing at Bristol, if cars with new tires become significantly faster than those on old rubber. "I think if we show up at Bristol with a tire that lays rubber down and is really soft, and it wears out… we need to get it back to where tires mean something," said Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford. "Nobody really ever comes in and takes four tires and blows the field anymore." The bottom line is that, if tires degrade rapidly, you'll have cars running radically different speeds on the racetrack, and the mixture of speed and strategy should improve the action.(NASCAR Wire Service)(3-25-2012)

Bruton Smith considering changes to Bristol Motor Speedway UPDATE: Bristol Motor Speedway owner Bruton Smith is considering about $1 million worth of changes to return his Tennessee track to the way it was before a 2007 reconfiguration. "We are going to take a very hard look at it this week," Smith told The Associated Press on Monday. "We have everything in our computers that shows us what the track used to be and what it is now, and we started working on that last night. I'll have an answer for you next week on if we'll alter the track." But Smith insisted it was the rain, not fan apathy over the current style of racing at Bristol, that contributed to Sunday's poor crowd. "We certainly thought it was going to be better, but the rain got us," Smith said. Bristol once was one of the toughest tickets in all of professional sports, but attendance has waned the past several years and its spring race has particularly suffered. The speedway says it seats 160,000, and although the grandstands appeared half empty Sunday, NASCAR's listed attendance was 102,000. Smith said 8,120 sold tickets went unused. But he remained adamant the attendance decline has nothing to do with the new racing at Bristol. At the same time, though, Smith said he began talking to his Speedway Motorsports Inc. officials on Sunday evening about changes to the track. Smith said SMI will study fan comments this week. "I want to be sure that the fans like what they see," he said. "If the fans like three abreast through the turns, we do nothing. If they don't, then we'll alter the track. The fans vote is the most important thing." If changes are made, they'll be done in time for NASCAR's Aug. 25 return to Bristol.(more at the Associated Press / Bristol Herald Courier ans SHARE your input HERE)(3-20-2012)
UPDATE: Speedway Motorsports, Inc., CEO Bruton Smith said yesterday that he is moving ahead with plans to return Bristol Motor Speedway to its previous configuration. Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s The Late Shift with Buddy Baker and Jim Noble, Smith said feedback from fans has been overwhelmingly in favor of changing the legendary speedway’s layout. “I’d say it’s about 75% from the race fans that they’d like to see us put it back the way it was five years ago,” he said. Smith said he has already consulted with engineers about making the necessary changes. “It will absolutely still be concrete,” he said, “but we will (redo) the profiling. We have on paper exactly the way the track was before we came in and redid it. We’re going to have all the elevations, the ingress and egress as it was before we completely redid it. We will here again offer race fans (the track) the way it was. It’s not a major change that we did,” insisted Smith. “We took up all the old concrete that was breaking up and causing a lot of problems. We completely redid the speedway, and fans got the idea that it’s not the same. I guess it’s not the same, since they told us that, and the race fan is always right. When the race fans speak, you listen. And that’s what we’re doing now.” The SMI owner said the changes will be made before the Aug. 25 Sprint Cup Series night race. “You have a good contractor, your plans, your blueprints and a million dollars, and you just go ahead and do it. I’ve got engineers working on this as we speak. I have not taken this up with NASCAR yet, but that’s what we will do,” Smith said. “Once we’re ready, we’ll do it. There will be a press announcement of exactly what we’re doing. I want it to be exactly correct -- the way these fans perceive it -- and I want to see 165,000 fans scrambling for tickets the way they have in the past.”(Godfather Motorsports)(3-21-2012)

Changes made in BMS pitroad timing-lines: NASCAR has added two pit road timing lines on each side of the track at Bristol to lessen the advantage of certain pit stalls. #2-Brad Keselowski raised eyebrows during his victory at the .533-mile track last August by accelerating rapidly from his pit stall and slowing suddenly as he approached the next time line. Since pit road speed is measured across areas separated by the timing lines, certain stalls located just beyond timing lines have been particularly advantageous. Consequently, a driver can go as fast as possible in the segment in which his or her pit stop occurs without fear of a speeding penalty, effectively circumventing for a short burst Bristol's 30 mph pit-road speed limit. The timing lines added to the frontstretch and backstretch pits effectively cut the timing segments from the length of 11 pit stalls to six.(NASCAR Wire Services)(3-18-2013)

Irwin Tools Bristol night race pre-sale tickets now available: Fans at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend may purchase IRWIN Tools Night Race tickets during an exclusive pre-sale event. Guests with tickets to today’s Ford Fan Friday, Saturday’s Ford EcoBoost 300/Widow Wax 125 or Sunday’s Food City 500 can purchase 2012 IRWIN Tools Night Race tickets before they go on sale to the general public March 18 at 2 pm/et. The pre-sale tickets are available at any ticket booth or via telephone at 423-BRISTOL (274-4785). An August race weekend package, which includes the IRWIN Tools Night Race, as well as the Food City 250 Nationwide Series race, is available for $99. IRWIN Tools Night Race Tickets start at $75, Food City 250 pricing begins at $45 and the Camping World Truck Series race tickets are $30. Season tickets are still available through this weekend for the best savings of 25% off.(BMS)(3-18-2012)

BMS App Debuts this weekend: Race fans visiting Bristol Motor Speedway for this weekend’s racing activities have a new informational tool to help them keep track of all the excitement at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.” The Bristol Motor Speedway app provides fans access to race and event schedules, GPS-enabled property maps and several other features to help them get even more from their experience at BMS. Guests can use GPS maps to find their current position, as well as various locations around the BMS property. Restrooms, ATMs, first aid stations and entrance gates are just a few of the amenities featured on the maps. One of the apps most popular features, fans can set GPS coordinates to make finding their seat or locating their car or campsite a breeze. Adding to the app’s interactivity, guests can create their own customized schedule, called “My Schedule,” which will alert them when a special event is set to take place. Additionally, fans can add driver appearances and other activities to their individual schedule. For more info or to download the App, go to bristolmotorspeedway.com.(BMS)(3-16-2012)

Carl Edwards To Serve as Honorary Starter for NNS race at Bristol: Carl Edwards is used to seeing the green flag fly from behind the wheel of his Roush Fenway Ford Fusion or Mustang, but this weekend he’ll get a truly different perspective as he serves as Honorary Starter for Saturday’s Ford EcoBoost 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of its multi-year sponsorship agreement with BMS that runs through 2014, the Region Area Ford Dealers have continually looked for ways to activate and improve the race weekend experience for fans. Ford Fan Friday, where race fans can attend Q&A sessions and get autographs from their favorite drivers, has become a highly-anticipated event. The inclusion of Edwards in this special role continues that philosophy. “It’s an honor. I’ve sat in the grandstands to watch races at Bristol and I’ve been fortunate to race and win there as well, but this will be something totally different and I’m really excited about it,” said Edwards, who won the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol in 2007. “I think Ford has a revolutionary and smart technology with EcoBoost that delivers both performance and fuel economy, which is something fans care about.” In addition to Edwards’ participation, Ford Group Vice-President of Global Marketing, Sales & Service Jim Farley will serve as the race’s Grand Marshal. Farley has been a driving force behind the use of racing as a marketing tool for Ford EcoBoost.(BMS)(3-14-2012)

Tennessee Air National Guard to sing National Anthem at Bristol: Members of the Tennessee Air National Guard's 119th Command and Control Squadron from McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, Tenn. will sing the national anthem Sunday, March 18 prior to the start of the Food City 500. The McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base Quartet consists of native Tennesseans First Lieutenant Stephanie McKeen, Second Lieutenant Sarah Miller, Senior Airman Amanda Winkler and Technical Sergeant Jeannine Brown. The foursome has been handpicked to perform for numerous local, state and federal celebrations and events, including the National Guard 375th Anniversary Celebration and numerous senior leaders military events. Monroeville will perform the anthem Saturday, March 17, prior to the Ford EcoBoost 300/Widow Wax 125. The six-man group, all of whom hail from Northeast Tennessee, boasts a crossover sound between progressive bluegrass and acoustic country. Group members are Daniel Salyer, Eli Johnson, Travis Houck, Zane Petty, Matthew Munsey and Matt Flake.(BMS)(3-9-2012)

Kellie Pickler performing at Bristol: Country music sensation Kellie Pickler will perform in the Pepsi pre-race concert at Bristol Motor Speedway prior to the Food City 500 March 18. The 25-year-old Pickler shot to stardom after finishing sixth on the fifth season of American Idol in 2005. Among the hits from her first two albums, Small Town Girl and the self-titled Kellie Pickler, are "Red High Heels", "I Wonder", "Don't You Know You're Beautiful", "Best Days Of Your Life", "Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind", and "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You". The first 500 fans who purchase a Track Tour for the Food City 500 also will receive on-track access to Pickler's concert, which will take place on the backstretch. They also will be able to stay on the track for driver introductions. Track Tours are $35 for IBelong members and $65 for non-members. Fans with Pit Road Party Zone access or iBelong Garage Experience passes also can attend Picker's concert.(BMS)(3-3-2012)

Ford to sponsor Bristol's NNS race: Ford Motor Company announced the expansion of the automaker’s partnership at Bristol Motor Speedway with the sponsorship of the upcoming Nationwide Series race. The Ford EcoBoost 300 takes place March 17 at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile, adding to Ford’s involvement at BMS, which also includes sponsorship of Ford Fan Friday qualifying and the Ford Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. Ford also is the official vehicle of BMS. BMS season tickets, which include the Food City 500 and IRWIN Tools Night Race (Aug. 25) Sprint Cup races, as well as both the Ford EcoBoost 300, the Food City 250 and the K&N race, also are on sale. Pricing for all four races begins at just $175 in the Wallace Tower. A March race weekend package also is available starting at $99 that includes the Food City 500 and the Ford EcoBoost 300/K&N East Series 125 events. A package in the Wallace Tower for both Sprint Cup races also is now available for $99, while packages for fans 15 and younger are available for the March races at half price. Lower row seating for the Food City 500 is available, with tickets starting at $65.(BMS)(2-17-2012)

Bristol going green with Danica for St. Pats Day: Bristol Motor Speedway is "Going Green" in a big way with Go Daddy Girl Danica Patrick during a special St. Patrick's Day celebration for the Nationwide Series event March 17. Breaking a long-standing tradition of eschewing green, once a much-maligned hue in the NASCAR garage, the World's Fastest Half-Mile is embracing the color, right along with Patrick who will be driving a special St. Patrick's Day paint scheme in the 300-lapper that day. Patrick pilots the shamrock covered GoDaddy.com ride for JR Motorsports and makes her second start at BMS. As part of the celebration, fans can purchase a special ticket package for the race which also gives them access to a question and answer session with Patrick at Bristol on the morning of March 17. Fans will also receive a limited edition Danica / St. Patrick's Day event t-shirt, featuring the shamrock-themed #7 GoDaddy.com car. In addition, one lucky fan who purchases the package wins two hot passes and the opportunity to view the race from Patrick's pit box. Fans may visit a special website, www.DanicaGoesGreenAtBristol.com, which will keep them up to date with all the current news surrounding Patrick, tickets and the St. Patrick's Day celebration at BMS. The St. Patrick's Day celebration at BMS will be hosted by George Wendt, known for his 11-year role of the beer-drinking Norm Peterson on the television series Cheers. A post-race pit party also is on tap in the hospitality area with live music. In addition, the creek that runs through the property at Bristol Motor Speedway will be dyed green for the race and the lights that illuminate the stadium at night all will be green. The Patrick ticket package is available for $67 and includes a limited edition t-shirt, a $10 coupon to the JR Nation retail store at JR Motorsports, admittance to the question and answer session and the opportunity to be upgraded with pit passes courtesy of Bristol Motor Speedway. Children's ticket packages also will be available for $37.50 and will include a child's sized t-shirt.(BMS)(1-22-2012)

Bristol Fan Advisory Board accepting new member applications: Bristol Motor Speedway, the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sanctioned facility to institute an advisory group made up of fans, now is taking applications for its Fan Advisory Board. Formed in 2006, Bristol's Fan Advisory Board is a group of loyal fans who provide feedback and new ideas that aid in the growth and development of the Speedway, and its ability to exceed expectations by delivering the ultimate fan experience. Fans may apply online through Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Via online communication and annual meetings, the Fan Advisory Board targets visible issues, identifies challenges and presents ideas to enhance and better the "Bristol Experience." The board is comprised of 30-40 members, consisting of a demographic cross-section of fans. Correspondence and meetings include Bristol senior level management to ensure action items are fulfilled and executed in the vision of the board. Board members serve a "rotational" term that includes three NASCAR race weekends at Bristol Motor Speedway. After serving for three NASCAR race weekends, members rotate off, and new members are appointed.(BMS)(1-19-2012)