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.
- Six Current Race Tracks Johnson has never won: There are six current race tracks the Sprint Cup Series runs on that #48-Jimmie Johnson has not won at [a Sprint Cup race], plus Johnson ran five races at Rockingham and didn't win:
Bristol: 0 for 15 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2004 and 3/2009
Michigan: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Infineon: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 4th in 6/2009
Chicago: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 2nd in 7/2004 & 7/2008
Watkins Glen: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Homestead: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 2nd in 11/2004
(8-16-2009)
Websites:
Bristol Motor Speedway
ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide: Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway's Online Ticketing Center
BMS Photo Page on Flickr
Speedway In Lights at Bristol Motor Speedway is open: Nearing the $5 million mark in monies raised for children’s agencies in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, AutoTrader.com Speedway In Lights at Bristol Motor Speedway began adding to that total Nov.13 with yet another new, spectacular display. Proceeds from Autotrader.com Speedway In Lights Powered by TVA benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a non-profit foundation dedicated to distributing funds to qualified children’s charities. Funds from the foundation directly aid children in the Tri-Cities area. Tickets for Speedway In Lights, open nightly 6-10 p.m., Nov. 13-Jan. 2, are available at the BMS gate. More info on my Racing Charities page.(11-14-2009)
BMS wins $397,000 tax case: A Nashville judge has ruled that Bristol Motor Speedway does not have to pay a $397,000 tax assessment from the state of Tennessee. Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle, in an order unsealed Friday, ruled in a dispute over money the racetrack brings in from the broadcast of NASCAR races. The speedway last year challenged the assessment, claiming the state Department of Revenue was illegally taxing the track. Speedway officials argued that television rights are intangible and that any money derived from the sale of them is not subject to Tennessee sales or business taxes. The suit also claimed the state wrongfully taxed the speedway for money it makes from mailing fees on tickets and from leasing space to vendors. Lyle wrote that the assessments "do not fall into the category of tangible personal property." The judge also ruled that "the relationship ... from the NASCAR agreement is more in the nature of a joint venture than contract of service by the (track) to NASCAR."(Kingsport Times News)(10-19-2009)
New title sponsor for Bristol fall race UPDATE: but been told Irwin Tools will replace Sharpie as the race title sponsor for next August's Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway and will be known as the Irwin Tools 500. Also, supposedly Irwin Tools does not know if it will sponsor a car/driver in 2010 [from the PR below, it does not sound like they will sponsor a car]. It currently serves as the primary sponsor for 11 Sprint Cup races on Roush Fenway Racing's #26 Ford that Jamie McMurray drives. That team will close up or move to Yates Racing in 2010, with either McMurray as the driver or another driver.
UPDATE: IRWIN Tools, a Newell Rubbermaid [also owns Sharpie] company and manufacturer and distributor of a broad line of professional hand tools and power tool accessories, announced that it will be the title sponsor of the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway beginning in 2010. While the event's new name is unique - the "IRWIN Tools Night Race" - the summer classic under the lights at Bristol will continue to be 500 grueling laps around the high banks of the .533-mile oval, one of NASCAR's most popular and storied facilities. A spectacle in sports since 1961, Bristol has had 55 consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sellouts, dating back to 1982. "We could not have constructed a better partnership than one between IRWIN Tools and Bristol Motor Speedway," said IRWIN President Neil Eibeler. "Like our many IRWIN products, Bristol leads the way in innovation, quality and ingenuity among NASCAR venues. We can't wait to see the blue and yellow colors of IRWIN Tools here for years to come. Our employees are thrilled and our customers will be waiting in anticipation to see nearly 160,000 fans in the stands next year for the first ‘IRWIN Night Race at Bristol,' the most popular NASCAR race of the year." IRWIN Tools takes over the entitlement from Sharpie, a sister company under the Newell Rubbermaid umbrella, which has sponsored the race since 2001.
"We're very happy to keep the Night Race in the Newell Rubbermaid family," said Jeff Byrd, President and General Manager of BMS, NASCAR's fastest half-mile. "We have gotten to know the IRWIN Tools team and their desire is to be the best technological company in the tool business. We feel we have the best facility in our sport so pairing up the two can only result in success. We look forward to a wonderful partnership and future together." The IRWIN Tools name has been a mainstay in NASCAR since 2003, serving as a primary car sponsor for Roush Fenway Racing. During that span, drivers Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray both won races in IRWIN Tools Fords while Busch carried IRWIN to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship in 2004. "It's been a great ride with Roush Fenway Racing," said Eric Pinkham, Newell Rubbermaid's Vice President, Sponsorship and Event Marketing. "They clearly helped us put IRWIN Tools on the map and we appreciate what they've done for the IRWIN brand. Now it's time for a new chapter for IRWIN and we can't wait to get started on the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol." The 2010 IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol will be on Saturday, August 21. For more information, call 1-800-GO-IRWIN or visit www.irwin.com.(BMS)(8-22-2009)
Full Driver song list for Bristol: Bristol Motor Speedway will give fans something different during drive interoductions Saturday night. They'll play music for each driver that the driver has selected. Some of the choices are interesting from those older rock n' roll classics to more recent tunes. Here's the playlist for ALL of the drivers:
Tony Stewart: Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba''
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: AC/DC's "Thunderstruck''
Jimmie Johnson: AC/DC's Thunderstruck
Mark Martin: AC/DC's "For Those About To Rock''
Jeff Gordon: Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up''
Jeff Burton: Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle''
Carl Edwards: House of Pain's "Jump Around''
Matt Kenseth: "Godsmack's "The Enemy''
Scott Speed: "Black Eyed Peas' "Boom, Boom, Pow"
Kurt Busch: Cake's "Going The Distance''
Kyle Busch: Kanye West's "Amazing''
Kasey Kahne: Dierks Bentley's "Life On The Run''
Michael Waltrip: Toby Keith's "As Good As I Once Was''
Ryan Newman: Big & Rich's "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy''
Clint Bowyer: Elvis Presley's "CC Rider''
Reed Sorenson: Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean''
Denny Hamlin: Fabulous' "My Time''
Joey Logano: Jerry Reed's "East Bound and Down''
AJ Allmendinger: "Going the Distance'' by Cake
Marcos Ambrose: "Land Down Under'' by Men at Work
John Andretti: Black Label Society's "Fire it Up''
Greg Biffle: POD's "Boom''
Dave Blaney: "Taking Care of Business'' by Bachman Turner Overdrive
David Gilliland: Limb Bizkit's "Break Stuff''
Robby Gordon: Kid Rock's "All Summer Long''
Kevin Harvick: DMX's "Party Up''
Sam Hornish Jr: "Fight for Your Right'' by Beastie Boys
Bobby Labonte: "Chicken Fried'' by Zack Brown Band
Terry Labonte: "Heartland'' by George Strait
Jamie McMurray: AC/DC's "Shook Me All Night Long''
Casey Mears: "Animals'' by Nickelback
Paul Menard: "Fire It Up'' by Black Label Society
Juan Pablo Montoya: "All Star'' by Smash Mouth
Joe Nemechek: "Life in the Fast Lane'' by The Eagles
David Ragan: "Thunderstruck'' by AC/DC
Tony Raines: "Bristol Speed'' by Silvergun
David Reutimann: "Sprach Zarathustra'' by Richard Strauss
Elliott Sadler: "2001 A Space Odyssey''
Regan Smith: "Shoots & Ladders'' by Korn
David Stremme: Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba''
Martin Truex Jr.: "Sun Gonna Rise'' by Citizen Cope
Brian Vickers: "This Town'' by O.A.R.
Scott Wimmer: "Night Rider Theme Song''
(Virginian Pilot)(8-22-2009)
Drivers pick songs for intros at Bristol UPDATE: Personalities among NASCAR's Sprint Cup drivers are as varied as their musical tastes. Fans will get more of an indication as to what might make their favorite drivers tick during driver introductions for the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway Aug. 22. Back in the day, drivers had a great deal of fun during pre-race festivities as they introduced themselves to the fans in attendance, injecting some of their own individuality into the way they addressed the crowd. BMS will turn back the clock Saturday, not only asking the drivers to introduce themselves to the sold-out throng of nearly 160,000, but also asking them to walk out to the song of their choice. The Sprint Cup stars take their music seriously and a good many of them deliberated for weeks before making their song choice for driver introductions, while others changed selections several times. Whether it is country or hard rock, their musical tastes are as diverse as the paint schemes on their cars.(BMS PR)(8-20-2009)
UPDATE: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers will make a more personal entrance prior to Saturday night’s Sharpie 500.
Each member of the starting lineup will greet the crowd by introducing themselves, accompanied by a song of their choosing. Four-time series runner-up #5-Mark Martin will make his 1,000th career national-series start Saturday. Martin’s song choice for his introduction? “For Those About To Rock,” by AC/DC. Another AC/DC tune – “Thunderstruck” – is a popular choice. #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #6-David Ragan and #48-Jimmie Johnson all have chosen “Thunderstruck” as their intro theme. #26-Jamie McMurray also chose an AC/DC ditty – “Shook Me All Night Long.” #39-Ryan Newman’s choice of “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” by Big and Rich took some consideration. “It really wasn’t my first choice,” Newman said, “but I won’t tell you what that song was. I’ve always liked country music, and this song is pretty cool to me because my buddy “Two-Foot Fred” is in the video and is part of the whole deal. I wouldn’t say it’s my theme song, but it is fun.” #9-Kasey Kahne offers fans a peek into a racer’s world with “Life On The Run” by Dierks Bentley, whom he counts as a good friend. “That’s what we do,” Kahne said. “Life on the run. We just love to race, and to race, we have to travel, and Dierks is one of my favorites.” #14-Tony Stewart is paying homage to his friend Kid Rock with “Bawitdaba”. #12-David Stremme chose the same tune. Others of note: “C.C. Rider” by Elvis Presley – #33-Clint Bowyer; “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones – #24-Jeff Gordon; “Land Down Under” by Men At Work – #47-Marcos Ambrose; “Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns N Roses – #31-Jeff Burton; “Amazing” by Kanye West – #18-Kyle Busch.(Racin' Today)(8-22-2009)
Updates on injured man at BMS: A Bristol Motor Speedway emergency medical technician was seriously injured in a freak accident late Wednesday following the modified series race. Darrell Wayne Mitchell of Church Hill, Tenn., was taken by helicopter to the Bristol Regional Medical Center. A hospital spokeswoman said he was in the surgical intensive care unit Thursday afternoon. Bristol Tennessee Police Sgt. Greg Brown said Mitchell was leaving the infield on foot near the pit entrance between turns two and three about 10:45 p.m., 30 minutes after the end of the race. At the same time, a tractor-trailer turned left out of the infield and scraped the side of an elevated camera platform. The impact twisted the platform and a steel ladder attached to the unit spun around and pinned Mitchell against the infield retaining wall. Brown said Mitchell suffered a head injury, and possibly a skull fracture. There was one person standing on the platform, which a speedway representative estimated is 12 feet high, when the truck grazed the edge. Police said the man on the platform was not hurt and managed to stay on top. Brown said Mitchell was listed in stable condition late Wednesday, then in critical condition by Thursday morning. Mitchell was a paramedic with Church Hill EMS until several months ago when he went to work for the Church Hill Rescue Squad, director Stanley Arnold said. Mitchell is working at the races on contract through Wellmont Health System, which provides dozens of medical workers for the speedway.(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-21-2009)
UPDATE: A Bristol Motor Speedway emergency medical technician was seriously injured in a freak accident late Wednesday following the modified series race. Darrell Wayne Mitchell of Church Hill, Tenn., was taken by helicopter to the Bristol Regional Medical Center. A hospital spokeswoman said he was in the surgical intensive care unit Thursday afternoon. Bristol Tennessee Police Sgt. Greg Brown said Mitchell was leaving the infield on foot near the pit entrance between turns two and three about 10:45 p.m., 30 minutes after the end of the race. At the same time, a tractor-trailer turned left out of the infield and scraped the side of an elevated camera platform. The impact twisted the platform and a steel ladder attached to the unit spun around and pinned Mitchell against the infield retaining wall. Brown said Mitchell suffered a head injury, and possibly a skull fracture. There was one person standing on the platform, which a speedway representative estimated is 12 feet high, when the truck grazed the edge. Police said the man on the platform was not hurt and managed to stay on top. Brown said Mitchell was listed in stable condition late Wednesday, then in critical condition by Thursday morning. Mitchell was a paramedic with Church Hill EMS until several months ago when he went to work for the Church Hill Rescue Squad, director Stanley Arnold said. The red tractor-trailer that hit the platform is owned by TS Haulers out of Calverton, N.Y., on Long Island, police said. TS Haulers is a racing company that sponsored Jimmy Blewett, who placed 31st in Wednesday’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Series. There was only minor damage to the truck, and the driver, Thomas Grasso, from Connecticut, was not injured. Brown said he is unsure if there will be any charges filed in the accident.(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-22-2009)
Popular Legends race to return to Bristol in 2010< The legends of NASCAR will race again at Bristol Motor Speedway next spring, but the rules of engagement have been revised. Along with three former driving greats, BMS officials outlined the details for the 2010 legends race Thursday afternoon. To be eligible for the event, a driver must not have competed in a Nationwide or Sprint Cup Series event in the past seven years. That would disqualify Sterling Marlin, who led every lap of the 35-lap Scotts Saturday Night Special late-model event last spring. Rusty Wallace, who finished second, would also be ineligible. The other major switch involves the cars. Instead of allowing drivers, such as Wallace, to bring their own late models every driver will compete in a car provided by the USARacing Pro Cup Series. L.D. Ottinger, who finished third behind Wallace and Marlin, attended Thursday’s press conference along with Charlie Glotzbach and Jack Ingram. Other drivers who have committed to participate in the 2010 legends race are Phil Parsons, Larry Pearson, Harry Gant and Cale Yarborough. Details of the event are still being formalized, but it will likely be run after the Scotts Turf Builder 300 Nationwide Series event. The celebrity portion of the 35-lap race has been scrapped. Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer and former National Football League star Mike Compton ran exhibition laps in the spring.(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-21-2009)
Bristol Transporter Parade on Thursday: A spectacle more than a decade in the making will bring tens of thousands of race fans to the streets of Bristol Thursday, Aug. 20 as Ford Presents the BMS Transporter Parade. The Thursday night of Bristol race week teems with traditions like Food City Family Race Night and the 13th annual parade of NASCAR Sprint Cup haulers, which carry the race cars and equipment for the Sharpie 500. Outside, thousands of fans in the area for the four NASCAR races will line the 10-mile route to watch the transporters make their way to the World’s Fastest Half-Mile. Inside, hauler drivers will help in making dreams come true as many of them will carry a child from either the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Children’s Miracle Network. The parade starts at 9:00pm at the Bristol Mall at the conclusion of downtown Bristol’s Food City Family Race Night. More than 60 haulers then will make their way down Volunteer Parkway to BMS. The transporter leading the way will be the one belonging to the series sanctioning body, NASCAR, followed by series sponsor Sprint and the leader of the series point standings heading into the Sharpie 500, currently Tony Stewart. Adding to the fanfare of the parade, fireworks will light up the skies from four different points along the route.(BMS)(8-19-2009)
World’s Largest Group Karaoke attempt at Bristol: Over the years, Bristol Motor Speedway has involved its rabid fans in a number of fantastic card stunts, as well as Guinness Book of World Records. These fan feats have played a major role in the unparalleled excitement and unique atmosphere offered by the overall BMS experience. And on Aug. 22, prior to the start of the Sharpie 500, BMS again will ask its fans to take part in what will be the World’s Largest Group Karaoke attempt. With nearly 160,000 fans in attendance, this will shatter the old mark of 80,000 set in Europe earlier this year. The Sharpie 500 Sprint Cup event is the last of four electrifying night races that will take place at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile in August. Race week kicks off with a doubleheader Wednesday, Aug. 19 as the Whelen Modified Series takes to the track for the first time in the UNOH Perfect Storm 150, followed by the O’Reilly 200 Camping World Truck Series. Next up is the Food City 250 Nationwide race Friday, which will again feature a host of Sprint Cup stars.(BMS)(8-19-2009)
Bristol Nights CD featuring Bristol related songs: The sights and sounds of Bristol Motor Speedway are distinctive, unique and instantly recognizable. Now, fans can enjoy NASCAR’s most popular track in an entirely different way with the release of “Bristol Nights,” a 12-song CD that honors the World’s Fastest Half-Mile. The dozen original songs in a multitude of musical styles commemorate the excitement of racing on “The World’s Fastest Half Mile,” Bristol’s signature Night Race, the raw power of the Bristol Dragway and the unmatched Bristol fan experience. “Bristol Nights,” which is the result of a partnership with Banshee Music, digitally debuted at Amazon.com and iTunes earlier this week (BMS), more info at the BMS site.(8-13-2009)
Bristol Sprint Cup race sold out: Bristol Motor Speedway President and General Manager Jeff Byrd announced today the facility’s 55th consecutive sell out of a NASCAR Sprint Cup race. “A lot of effort by our staff here at BMS went into making this happen,” said Byrd. “But the biggest tip of the hat goes to the fans. Those members of the extended Bristol Motor Speedway family, who continue, even in tougher times, to come back for the Bristol Experience are the ones who put us in this position. We commit ourselves every race to enhance the Bristol Experience for our loyal fans and the fans responded again.” The streak began Aug. 28, 1982 when Darrell Waltrip edged Bobby Allison by less than a second in front of an estimated 30,000 fans. Since then, the facility’s seating capacity has increased more than five-fold. Fans may place their orders now for 2010 season ticket packages by calling (423) BRISTOL (274-7865).(BMS)(8-11-2009)
Stewart to sell tix at Bristol: #14-Tony Stewart not only will be in the Bristol Motor Speedway ticket office on Thursday, July 30th, helping sell some of the few remaining tickets to the Sharpie 500 race, but some fans also can look forward to getting a little something extra from him upon purchasing tickets. Stewart has some of his own Sharpie 500 tickets that he will give away to a few lucky fans that afternoon. The former Bristol winner is scheduled to arrive at BMS around 1:30pm/et on Thursday where he will then head to “work” in the ticket office. The Sharpie 500 Sprint Cup event is the last of four exciting night races that will take place at the BMS in August. Race week kicks off with a doubleheader Wednesday, Aug. 19 as the Whelen Modified Series takes to the track for the first time in the UNOH Perfect Storm 150, followed by the O’Reilly 200 Camping World Truck Series. Next up is the Food City 250 Nationwide race Friday, which will again feature a host of Sprint Cup stars. Tickets packages for the Sharpie 500 and the Food City 250 are currently available, starting at only $145. Tickets also are on sale for the Wednesday night doubleheader – the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 and the O’Reilly 200 – for $30 and tickets for the Food City 250 begin at $45. Anyone purchasing a package for the Sharpie 500 and Food City 250 will be eligible for the buy one, get one free Wednesday night ticket. Tickets may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) BRISTOL (274-7865), (423) 989-6900 or by visiting www.bristoltix.com.(BMS)(7-28-2009)
- Bristol and Banshee Music team on Music: Banshee Music is proud to announce a partnership with Bristol Motor Speedway to serve as official music provider to the racetrack. The partnership will begin with the introduction of a custom, 12-song release that captures the feel of the unique fan experience at Bristol, the excitement of racing on the half-mile track, the track’s signature night race and the raw power of the Thunder Valley drag strip. The CD is due to be released early this summer and will be available at retail and as a digital download.(BMS)(6-30-2009)
- Bristol Tickets for August race selling fast: Fans who have wanted to see the night race at Bristol Motor Speedway, some of whom said they had quit trying, were able to grab tickets this week as a limited number of seats for the Sharpie 500 weekend became available. By the end of the day Tuesday, fans in 28 states and three Canadian Provinces grabbed coveted seats, a list that grew to 35 states Wednesday. The Food City 500 in March marked the 54th consecutive sellout Sprint Cup event at Bristol Motor Speedway, a NASCAR record. "We still have tickets to sell, but we're working toward our 55th straight full house," Jeff Byrd, president and general manager of BMS said. "It's a win-win situation for our fans who have tried for years in vain to get these tickets while some of our corporate partners have been forced to adjust." Tickets may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900 or by visiting www.bristoltix.com.(Bristol Motor Speedway PR)(6-12-2009)
- Tix on sale for August Bristol race: Fans who have long aspired to own Bristol tickets will have the chance to make that dream a reality Tuesday, June 9. That is the day tickets to NASCAR’s most popular race, the Sharpie 500, which takes place Aug. 22, will be available. “We expect June 9 to be a big day,” said Bristol Motor Speedway president Jeff Byrd. “Fans who have been trying for years to get tickets to the Sharpie 500 will finally get the opportunity to own them so we’re expecting the phone lines to be busy.”
While BMS continues to maintain the highest renewal rate in the sport with fans, tickets have become available this year due to cutbacks from a number of corporate clients. In March, the Speedway made those packages available to fans who had tried unsuccessfully for years to purchase them. “We sold quite a few packages in March,” said Byrd, “but we do have some partial packages available for our August race weekend. On one hand, it’s a tough situation for our corporate clients, who have had to make concessions where tickets are concerned. On the other hand, it’s a win-win situation for our fans who have tried for years in vein to get these tickets". The Food City 500 in March was the 54th consecutive sellout Sprint Cup event at Bristol Motor Speedway, a NASCAR record. The August race week features four races under the lights, including the O’Reilly 200 Camping World Truck Series race and the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 Whelen Modified Series event Wednesday, Aug. 19, followed by the Food City 250 Nationwide Series race Friday, Aug. 21. The weekend culminates with the Sharpie 500 Saturday, Aug. 22. The August ticket package includes tickets for both the Sharpie 500 and the Food City 250. Package prices begin at $145. Also, anyone purchasing a package will be eligible for the buy one, get one free Wednesday night ticket, which includes both the O’Reilly 200 truck event and the Whelen Modified 150. Wednesday tickets are $30. Tickets may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900 or by visiting www.bristoltix.com.(BMS)(6-9-2009)
- Bristol Officials Reviewing Saturday Night Special: Bristol Motor Speedway vice-president of events Wayne Estes said the process of selecting the legends field dictated that Bristol winners at the Cup or Busch/Nationwide Series level would compete, and none would be "full-time" competitors in either series. "This gave us the opportunity to keep Terry Labonte in the field," Estes said. "Considering his ties to the two most famous finishes in our history, we wanted Terry in the race." As is the case with all events at the track, Estes and BMS staff will review options for improving the legends show. "Clearly, we learned a lot that will be applied if we do this again," Estes said. "The question now is, do the fans want to see it again. Most of them tell us that they do, with some adjustments. "I talked to Cale Yarborough and his comment was, "'Take the young guys out and let just us old guys race."' That seems to be the prevailing feeling, and open it up beyond Bristol winners so that Buddy Baker and Ricky Rudd can take part." In retrospect, Estes admitted that the Saturday Night Special could have more been compelling with additional planning and tinkering.(Bristol Herald Courier)(3-30-2009)
- Bristol Cup race Sold Out: The streak is alive, but just barely. Today’s Food City 500 will play to the 54th consecutive sellout at Bristol Motor Speedway, track president and general manager Jeff Byrd announced Saturday, less than 24 hours before the start of the race. “It took longer than we thought, but we’re very excited to be racing again in front of a packed house,” Byrd said during a telephone conversation. “It’s a tribute to the people who work at the speedway, our fans and the people of the region. They made it happen.” The streak at the 160,000-seat track dates to Aug. 28, 1982 and is the longest in NASCAR. The Food City 500 is the first Sprint Cup race of the 2009 season to sell out.(Bristol Herald Courier)(3-22-2009)
- Marlin wins Saturday Night Special: Sterling Marlin, who will run the Sprint Cup race Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, won the Scotts Saturday Night Special, Rusty Wallace finished 2nd followed by 70-year-old L.D. Ottinger, Terry Labonte and Jimmy Spencer. The race will be re-aired Sunday morning [March 22nd] 10:00am/et on ESPN Classic. Philadelphia [Jayski fave team] Eagles Kicker David Akers and ESPN's Andy Petree won the celebrity races which set up the starting lineup for the Legends race.(ESPN.com)(3-21-2009)
AND Sterling Marlin got an assist from teammate Andy Petree and lead from start to finish to capture the Scotts Saturday Night Special at Bristol Motor Speedway. The 51-year-old Marlin started on the pole after Petree finished first in his celebrity heat. The Columbia, Tenn., native was elated in victory lane, where he was awarded the same trophy that will go to Sunday's Food City 500 winner.
"Man, that felt so good," said Marlin. "It felt so good to get in the car and to run like that. It just felt good to come back and run like that. I just had a great car and Andy got me a really good starting position. I had a great time. I'd like to do this again. I ran this car a couple of times in Nashville. Andy had tested a couple of times and we talked some. Andy's car was really fast. I had a good car... so we should have won it. Rusty Wallace finished second, followed by L.D. Ottinger, Terry Labonte and Jimmy Spencer. Rounding out the 12-car field was Harry Gant, Phil Parsons, Jack Ingram, Cale Yarborough, David Green, Junior Johnson and Larry Pearson. In the first heat of the afternoon featuring celebrity drivers, Philadelphia Akers place-kicker David Akers outlasted the field to take the win, while former crew chief and current ESPN analyst Petree picked up the win in the second heat. Trailing Akers to the finish line in the first heat was Bill Jordan, followed by Riki Rachtman, Frank Beamer and Mike Compton. Brad Daugherty finished second to Petree in the second heat while Ron Capps came home third and Ray Evernham finished fourth. Doug Herbert and Greg Anderson wrecked their cars in practice and were unable to compete in the second heat.(BMS)
RESULTS:
Scotts Saturday Night Special Legends Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, 35 laps
1, Sterling Marlin
2, Rusty Wallace
3, L.D. Ottinger
4, Terry Labonte
5, Jimmy Spencer
6, Harry Gant
7, Phil Parsons
8, Jack Ingram
9, Cale Yarborough
10, David Green
11, Junior Johnson
12, Larry Pearson
Qualifying run 1 15 laps
1, David Akers
2, Bill Jordan
3, Riki Rachtman
4, Frank Beamer
5, Mike Compton
Qualifying run 2 15 laps
1, Andy Petree
2, Brad Daugherty
3, Ron Capps
4, Ray Evernham
(3-22-2009)
- NASCAR's missing video history: Dale Earnhardt's 1979 Bristol victory: It's the 30th anniversary of that first NASCAR tour breakthrough victory by the late Dale Earnhardt, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., just four years old at the time, has never seen that video footage….if it even exists. That 1979 Winston Cup tour win was the first of Earnhardt's 76 victories, but it came two years before NASCAR's full Cup tour events were routinely telecast in their entirety. But the third generation Earnhardt did watch his father here, while growing up. The elder Earnhardt made a lot of Bristol history. "The 'Earnhardt Moment' for me here was when he ran like 450 laps and won the race and had no power steering," Earnhardt Jr. says. "I think that was in '87 or '86, or something like that. I have run like 20 laps at California with no power steering, and it was difficult -- it was hard to drive the car where you wanted it to go. The whole handle of the car, the whole feel of the car changed. I just can't imagine running like that here. I was having a hard time running (at California) any kind of competitive time on new tires; on old tires I was okay without the power steering, but on new tires it was just really hard to run as fast as everybody else was running. For him to have been able to do that here -- a place like this, on the blacktop -- for basically the entire race and win, that was pretty cool. I was here for that and I was pretty proud of him for that kind of effort."(mikemulhern.net)(3-21-2009)
- Celebrity/Pro Driver Teams Announced: The field of professional drivers has been set and so has the lineup of celebrities. Today, Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced the pairings for the Scotts Saturday Night Special, March 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Nine-time Bristol winner Rusty Wallace and ESPN analyst Ray Evernham announced nearly two weeks ago their intentions of an alliance. Now the other 11 teams have come together as well; some with history and a relationship, some meeting for the first time.
Junior Johnson, a 21-time winner at Bristol Motor Speedway as a car owner, is paired with ESPN analyst and former NBA No.-1 pick Brad Daugherty while Jimmy Spencer and TV/Radio personality Riki Rachtman will join forces.
Riki Rachtman has been showing up on television quite a bit lately but Saturday night Rachtman will live out a lifelong dream by strapping in to a race car and taking on the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway. Living in Hollywood one would not think Rachtman as a NASCAR fan but that’s not the case. “I have always had a passion for stock car racing. If you looked back on past episodes of my show Headbangers Ball you would see me wearing a Richard Petty shirt or Dale Earnhardt hat. 6 years ago Rachtman started a radio show Racing Rocks. Every week he would give his own twist on NASCAR news and include exclusive driver interviews. Racing Rocks is beginning its 6th year and is now heard on over 120 stations across America. This past winter Rachtman was a dean on VH1’s highly rated series “Charm School”. Rachtman also served as host for the reunion of both seasons of “Rock of Love”, a role he will return to mid April. April 26th on VH1. This weekend however Rachtman will attempt to sift through the field of drivers as he competes in Scotts Saturday Night Special, March 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rachtman’s charity will be the ASPCA. (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and Cale Yarborough, both multi-time champions in their respective fields, will partner as will ESPN analyst and former title-winning crew chief Andy Petree and Sterling Marlin. Hunting buddies Terry Labonte and Bill Jordan of Realtree Outdoors are teamed as are long-time friends David Green and three-time NHRA Pro Stock champ Greg Anderson. Philadelphia Eagles place-kicker David Akers and Harry Gant will partner as will Jack Ingram and NHRA Funny Car driver Ron Capps and L.D. Ottinger and Terry Bowden, head coach at the University of North Alabama. Larry Pearson, a two-time Nationwide champ and two-time Bristol winner, who this week took the place of his injured dad, David, teams with NHRA Top-Fuel dragster driver Doug Herbert. And Phil Parsons, winner of the first Nationwide Series race at BMS in 1982, and former NFL star Mike Compton round out the teams. Akers, Beamer, Bowden, Compton, Jordan and Rachtman will run the first 15-lap heat to determine the order of the inside starting row of the 35-lap pro event. Anderson, Capps, Daugherty, Evernham, Herbert and Petree will run the second 15-lap heat to set the outside starting row of the main event. The winning “team” is guaranteed $25,000 for their charities and a total of $10,000 will go to the charity or charities of the second-place duo. Every other team will get $5,000, $2,500 per driver, for their charities. The Scotts Saturday Night Special is part of a three-race ticket March 21. Tickets, which start at $45 and include the Scotts Turf Builder 300 and the 100-lap UARA event, may be purchased at www.bristoltix.com or by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900. The Scotts Saturday Night Special will be televised on ESPN 2 at 6:00pm/et.(BMS PR)(3-19-2009)
- ESPN2 to Have Live Coverage as NASCAR Legends Return to Action at Bristol: ESPN2 will have live coverage as some of the greatest names in the history of NASCAR return to action for a special charity race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 21, at 6:00pm/et. And just as many great drivers will be racing again, Ned Jarrett, a mainstay of ESPN’s coverage of NASCAR from 1986-2000, returns to the air to join his son, ESPN lead NASCAR analyst Dale Jarrett, and lap-by-lap announcer Dr. Jerry Punch in calling the action in the Scotts Saturday Night Special. Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson, David Pearson, Harry Gant and ESPN analyst Rusty Wallace are among the 12 legends of NASCAR who will compete for 35 laps in late model stock cars. The winning driver will earn a $25,000 donation for the charity of his choice. The race airs following ESPN on ABC’s live coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Scotts Turf Builder 300 event at Bristol that day at 2:00pm/et. Others in the race, all former winners in NASCAR competition at Bristol, include Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, Jimmy Spencer, Phil Parsons, L.D. Ottinger and former NASCAR Nationwide Series champions Jack “Iron Man” Ingram and David Green. Wallace will be ESPN’s “In-Race Reporter” and will talk via radio with Dale Jarrett during the telecast. Allen Bestwick will host the telecast and pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch.(ESPN PR)(3-18-2009)
- Legends test at Bristol: One look at Junior Johnson strapped into his #11 race car with old-fashioned goggles wrapped around his helmet, and it was like taking a step back in time. Johnson was one of several former Bristol Motor Speedway winners testing Tuesday at the .533-mile oval in preparation for this weekend's Scotts Saturday Night Special. Also taking to the track was Harry Gant, Jimmy Spencer, Jack Ingram, Rusty Wallace, L.D. Ottinger, and Phil Parsons. The last time Johnson, who won the 1965 Southeastern 500 at BMS, raced at BMS the track was asphalt – and it was much different. “When it was first built, you run off in the first and second turn like you went down a hill,” said the 77-year-old Johnson. “Now, it is so much smoother. I haven’t been on it since the last time they redid it, but I can tell it is a lot smoother. The pavement was kind of humpy and bumpy, so it’s got to be better (than it was). Jack Ingram, who earned 31 victories and two championships in what was then the Busch Series, now the Nationwide Series, won the second race in that series ever held at BMS, in 1982. Now 72, Ingram didn’t seem intimidated by anyone on the track. Harry Gant, 69, winner of 18 Sprint Cup victories and 21 in the Nationwide Series, was the 1992 Budweiser 250 winner at BMS. Other drivers expected to compete in the Saturday Night Special are David Green, Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, Phil Parsons and Larry Pearson. Former BMS winner Larry Pearson will be subbing for his father, David, who was scheduled to be in the race. Track officials learned earlier this week that reoccurring issues with the elder Pearson’s back will prevent him from taking part in the event.
Among the celebrities testing Wednesday will be Ray Everham, Andy Petree, Brad Daugherty, and former NFL star Brad Compton. Other competing in the race are Frank Beamer, Terry Bowden, David Akers, Bill Jordan, Riki Rachtman, Doug Herbert, Ron Capps and Greg Anderson. The celebrities will run 15-lap or 10-minute heats to help determine the starting spots of their pro driver teammates, who then will run 35 laps. The Saturday Night Special will take place after the completion of the Scotts Turf Builder 300 Nationwide Series race and will be followed by a 100-lap UARA late model event.(BMS PR)
AND: GDSI Racing with driver Sterling Marlin are preparing for Bristol Motor Speedway on March 21st. Marlin will compete in a 50 lap late model celebrity race where celebrities will be paired up with drivers. Andy Petree will drive the first 15 laps and Sterling Marlin will drive the final 35 laps in the Legend brands Chevy Monte Carlo. The winning team will win $25,000 for the charity and Sterling Marlin and GDSI Racing have selected The Epilepsy Foundation of Middle and West TN, second place will receive $10,000 and the rest of the starters will receive $5,000. The race is slated as the first “Saturday Night Special”.(GDSI Racing PR)(3-18-2009)
- Celebrities set to run Staurday Night Special at Bristol: Football coaches, football players, TV/radio personalities and more have signed on to run the celebrity heat races as part of the Scotts Saturday Night Special, March 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer, who also will serve as grand marshal of the Food City 500, will climb behind the wheel of a race car for the first time as will Terry Bowden. Bowden returns to the college coaching ranks this year after 10 years in the broadcast booth, taking over the Division II powerhouse University of North Alabama. Coaches are not the only ones suiting up. David Akers, Pro-Bowl kicker for the Philadelphia Eagles will participate. Also racing for charity will be local hero Mike Compton, current head football coach at Patrick Henry High School (Glade Spring, Va.) and two-time Super Bowl winner with the Patriots of New England. Rounding out the first heat will be: Bill Jordan, owner/founder of Realtree Camouflage and host of two of his own television shows, Bill Jordan’s Realtree Outdoors and ESPN’s “Driven to Hunt,” and TV/radio personality Riki Rachtman of MTV’s “Charm School” and “Daisy of Love.”
Taking the wheel in the second heat will be a field of more experienced drivers. Former car owners and two of the top crew chiefs of all time, Andy Petree and Ray Evernham, now ESPN race analysts, as well as Brad Daugherty, a former No. 1pick in the NBA draft and retired all-star player with the Cleveland Cavaliers will be part of the festivities. Taking advantage of a weekend off on the National Hot Rod Association schedule are Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Doug Herbert (Top Fuel Dragster) who will fill out the field. The celebrities will run 15-lap or 10-minute heats to help determine the starting spots of their pro driver teammates, who then will run 35 laps. That field includes Junior Johnson, Harry Gant, Cale Yarborough and Jack Ingram. The winning “team” is guaranteed $25,000 for their charities and a total of $10,000 will go to the charity or charities of the second-place duo. Every other team will get $5,000 for their charities. Team pairings will be announced at a later time. Tickets still are available for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 (Starting at $45) and Food City 500 (starting at $93). Tickets for Ford Fan Friday, March 20, are just $5 and fans with specially marked Pepsi cans will be admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at www.bristoltix.com or by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900.(BMS PR)(3-17-2009)
- BMS fans from 50 states, 11 nations to take part in ceremonies: Bristol Motor Speedway’s fans come from all across the country, as well as internationally, and on Sunday, March 22 prior to the start of the Food City 500, their loyalty and dedication to BMS will be recognized. Among the BMS ticket holders are fans from each of the 50 states, as well as 11 countries. Sunday morning, fans from their home states and their native countries will take part in a spectacular pre-race ceremony designed to thank Bristol Motor Speedway’s most important commodity, its race fans. All 50 state flags and the flags of Canada, England, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Japan, Scotland, Norway, Luxembourg, Columbia and Puerto Rico will be displayed on the track, presented by fans from their respective states and countries. BMS officials solicited fans from its ticket holder data base via an email blast last week and the response was overwhelming. To date, more than 5,000 fans have responded asking for the honor of representing their state or country. Nearly 1,200 answered within the first 43 minutes after the call was issued. Also, as part of the pre-race ceremony on Sunday, a massive 60’x90’ American flag will be unfurled during the singing of the national anthem. Approximately 100 members of the United States armed forces, from all branches of the military, will take part in unfurling the flag. Members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard also will display their respective flags during the pre-race ceremony.
Tickets still are available for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 (Starting at $45) and Food City 500 (starting at $93). Tickets for Ford Fan Friday, March 20, are just $5 and fans with specially marked Pepsi cans will be admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at www.bristoltix.com or by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900.(BMS PR)(3-17-2009)
- Bristol names Allison starter; Beamer grand marshal: Legendary NASCAR star Bobby Allison will serve as Honorary Starter and Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer will be the Grand Marshal for the Food City 500 March 22. Voted one of NASCAR racing's 50 greatest drivers, Allison’s career was stellar and his record at Bristol Motor Speedway was part of that. He posted four wins, 23 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes in 44 career races at BMS. Through that time, Allison showed his versatility by competing in eight different models of race cars. His last race at Bristol resulted in a fifth-place finish in April of 1988. Less than three months later, his career would be cut short as a result of injuries sustained in an accident at Pocono Raceway.
Under Beamer’s direction, Virginia Tech football has enjoyed unprecedented success with 15 consecutive bowl appearances, two ACC titles, two ACC Coastal Division crowns, three Big East Conference titles and a trip to the national championship game. Since the beginning of the 1995 season, only Ohio State and Florida have posted more wins than Virginia Tech, and the Hokies have finished in the top 20 in 13 of the past 16 seasons, including five Top 10 finishes during the last 11 years. The Food City 500 gets under way at 2:00pm/et Sunday, March 22. Qualifying for the event takes place Friday, March 20th at 3:40pm/et. The Scotts Turf Builder 300 is set for Saturday, March 21 at 2:30pm/et, with qualifying getting underway that morning at 9:40am/et. Tickets still are available for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 (Starting at $45) and Food City 500 (starting at $93). Tickets for Ford Fan Friday, March 20, are just $5 and fans with specially marked Pepsi cans will be admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at www.bristoltix.com or by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900.(BMS PR)(3-16-2009)
- Realtree's Bill Jordan to Drive in Celebrity/Legends Race at Bristol: Realtree Founder and President Bill Jordan will drive a Team Realtree car, furnished by Richard Childress Racing, in the first annual Scotts Saturday Night Special Celebrity/Legends Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jordan's role in the race is to run the first 15 laps against other celebrities to determine the starting positions for the legendary NASCAR drivers, who will complete the remaining 35 laps of the 50-lap event. Jordan's NASCAR legends teammate will be Terry Labonte. Jordan and Labonte's honorary pit crew will be comprised of current NASCAR drivers, many of whom hunt with Jordan and appear on the Driven to Hunt television show on ESPN2. These pit crew members will include Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, and Martin Truex, Jr. RCR president and CEO Richard Childress will serve as Jordan's spotter during the race. The First Annual Scotts Saturday Night Special Celebrity/Legends Race will air live on March 21 on ESPN2 following the completion of the Scotts Turf Builder 300 Nationwide Series race and will be followed by a 100-lap UARA late model event. Drivers will compete in late-model stock cars and $25,000 will be donated to the winning team’s charity of choice. The second-place team will have $10,000 given to the charity of its choice and $5,000 will go to the designated charity of the other entrants. Tickets, which include all three races, start at $45 and are available by calling the BMS ticket office at 423-989-6900 or by visiting www.bristoltix.com.(RCR PR)(3-14-2009)
- Bristol working to maintain sellout streak: For the first time in more than 13 years Bristol Motor Speedway is advertising tickets for a Sprint Cup race. Tough economic times have forced many of the corporate partners that purchased blocks of seats not to renew for what is known as NASCAR's toughest ticket. That puts Bristol's string of 53 consecutive sellouts in jeopardy for the March 22 race, all though general manager Jeff Byrd is optimistic the streak will continue based on the current sales pattern. Byrd would not comment on the number of tickets available, but he was excited about the potential for fans that never have seen a Bristol race to attend. Bristol has 160,000 seats, including 197 skyboxes that are almost twice as many as most tracks on the circuit. The "World's Fastest Half Mile Track'' and Richmond International Speedway were the only two with a waiting list for tickets before this season. The Sharpie 500, the summer night race at Bristol, has been even a tougher ticket than the spring race, despite the fact that only Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway have more grandstand seats. If one or both of Bristol's races sell out, the track could claim one or two of the biggest crowds of the season. None of the first four races have been sellouts. Daytona came close, but track president Robin Braig said it would not be fair to call the Daytona 500 a sellout since many tickets were discounted and some were given away to track employees. There were crowd estimates of 75,000 [NASCAR said 94,400] or less last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which seats over 125,000.(ESPN)(3-11-2009)
- Cale added to Bristol's Saturday Night Special race; DW withdraws - TV on ESPN2: Cale Yarborough, one of the most successful drivers in the history of Bristol Motor Speedway, has been added to the lineup of stars for the Scotts “Saturday Night Special” at Bristol Motor Speedway, March 21. Darrell Waltrip, Bristol’s all-time winner with 12, has had to pull out of the race because of a scheduling issue that has arisen. “It seems crazy, but I am busier now than I was when I was a driver,” Waltrip said. “I have some commitments to Fox Sports that have come up since we began talking with the folks at Bristol about this race. I was looking forward to getting out there with some of those guys again; and some of them for the first time. After years with Junior Johnson as my boss, I was excited about rubbing fenders with him. But, sometimes things are unavoidable.”
A $100,000 purse to be paid to the charity of choice by each driver will be up for grabs. Competing in late model stock cars, $25,000 will be donated to the charity of choice of the winning team as well as taking home that big Bristol trophy. The second-place team will have $10,000 given to the charity of its choice and $5,000 will go to the designated charity of the other entrants. Other drivers expected to compete are Harry Gant, David Green, Jack Ingram, Junior Johnson, Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, L.D. Ottinger, Phil Parsons, David Pearson, Jimmy Spencer and Rusty Wallace. The Saturday Night Special will take place after the completion of the Scotts Turf Builder 300 Nationwide Series race and will be followed by a 100-lap UARA late model event. Tickets, which include all three races, start at $45 and are available by calling the BMS ticket office at 423-989-6900 or by visiting bristoltix.com. TV NOTE: the race is scheduled to air on ESPN2 from 6-7pm/et on March 21,2009 and ONE re-air on ESPN Classic on March 22nd at 10:00am/et.(BMS PR)(3-10-2009)
- New "Thunder Valley Lightning" to be sold at Bristol: Bristol Motor Speedway has partnered with Piedmont Distillers, Inc. and its Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon moonshine brand to introduce a new signature drink named, “Thunder Valley Lightning”. Thunder Valley Lightning is made exclusively with Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon and will be served with one of two southern favorites, sweet tea or lemonade. It will be sold in a 24-ounce collectible cup that replicates the canning jars traditionally used by moonshiners. The acrylic cup includes an embossed Bristol Thunder Valley Lightning logo and a label featuring a photo of the track and the date of the Spring NASCAR event. The drink will be sold exclusively at 20 drink stations located throughout Bristol Motor Speedway’s concourse area inside the track and at exterior locations surrounding the track. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will go a non-profit organization. The collectible cup will also be available with non-alcoholic sweet tea and lemonade drinks sold throughout the track’s regular concession stands. Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon is available in liquor stores, bars and restaurants in 15 states; Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia and Wyoming. For more information, please visit www.piedmontdistillers.com.(BMS PR)(3-9-2009)
- Tickets available for Food City 500 at Bristol: Fans who have longed to attend a race at NASCAR’s most popular track now have the opportunity to do just that on what will be the biggest spring race weekend in Bristol Motor Speedway’s history. Tickets are available for the March 22 Food City 500, capping a three-day race weekend fans can’t afford to miss as a number of special events have been added to the schedule. Ford Fan Friday kicks off the action on March 20 when fans can see practice for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 and the Food City 500, as well as qualifying for the Food City 500, for only $5. Any fan bringing a specially marked Pepsi can to the gate will receive free entry. Also on tap for Friday is Food City Race Night, which will take place at BMS from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. There is no admission to the event which will feature live music, free food and driver appearances. Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart are scheduled to participate in Rock Band while Clint Bowyer, Elliott Sadler, Kasey Kahne and A.J. Allmendinger will square off in a Wii boxing tournament. Other drivers, including Jeff Burton, will take part in a question and answer session. The Scotts Turf Builder 300, one of the premier Nationwide events on the schedule, takes place March 21 with a host of NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers in the field. Among those participating in the race is Carl Edwards, Harvick, Greg Biffle, Bowyer and Kyle Busch. Also on the schedule Saturday is the highly anticipated Scotts Saturday Night Special at Bristol, an all-star race featuring some of the biggest names in NASCAR, including Junior Johnson and Harry Gant. Following the Saturday Night Special is a 100-lap UARA race to cap off the evening. All three races, the Scotts Turf Builder 300, the Scotts Saturday Night Special and the UARA event are included in the cost of the ticket for the Scotts Turf Builder 300.
Tickets for the Food City 500 are available, starting at $93. Tickets for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 triple-header begin at $45. Qualifying for the Food City 500 is slated for 3:40 p.m. Friday and qualifying for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 is at 9:40 a.m. Saturday. The Scott’s Turf Builder 300 takes the green flag at 2 p.m., as does the Food City 500 Sunday. To purchase tickets, please contact the Bristol Motor Speedway ticket office at 423-989-6900 or visit www.bristoltix.com.(BMS PR)(3-5-2009)
- Drivers to Conduct Fan Forums at Speedway Motorsports Races: NASCAR drivers and Speedway Motorsports are teaming up to bring fans closer to their favorite drivers than ever before. The new "PRN Up To SPEED" program will bring NASCAR's top names out for fan forums at the SPEED Stage during each of the 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends at Speedway Motorsports' seven speedways across the country. The Performance Racing Network's on-air personalities will emcee question-and-answer sessions with some of the sport's biggest personalities at the SPEED Stage leading up to SPEED's regularly scheduled weekend programming.
"PRN Up To SPEED" will kick off Sunday at 9:30am/et, at the SPEED Stage located in the Las Vegas Motor Speedway midway. The stellar lineup will include Las Vegas-native Kyle Busch, legendary NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, and four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon. Each Speedway Motorsports track [Atlanta, Bristol, Infineon, Las Vegas, Lowe's, New Hampshire, Texas] that hosts a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will hold "PRN Up To SPEED" sessions during their respective race weekend. The location of the SPEED Stage may vary from track to track, but at all Speedway Motorsports facilities, the stage is always located in an area where access is free of charge for fans.(SMI PR)(3-1-2009)
- Bristol Track Record Broken UPDATE2..or is it?: Four NASCAR Whelen Modified Series champions were among six drivers tested at Bristol Motor Speedway during a test session on Tuesday. The fastest time of the day was clocked by L.W. Miller of Dushore, Pa. Miller circled the .533-mile oval in 14.742 sec., breaking Ryan Newman’s Cup Series track record of 14.908 sec. [128.709mph] set in 2003. The cars were running with carburetor restrictor-plates for the test session. Later in the afternoon, a few drivers removed the plates, resulting in even faster times. Ted Christopher, the 2008 Whelen Modified Tour Champion, jumped at the chance to test his car on the concrete track with the engine unrestricted. Christopher turned an incredible lap of 14.479 sec. [132.522mph], a mind-blowing proposition. The Whelen Modified Tour returns Aug. 19 for a doubleheader event with the NASCAR Camping World Series. Other drivers participating in the test were Matt Hirschman, Brian Loftin, Ronnie Silk and Todd Szegedy.(BMS PR)(2-25-2009)
UPDATE: in an old July 2003 post on the uscsracing.com site, it says: Kenny Adams was one of four drivers who tested winged sprint cars with the United Sprint Car Series on Wednesday [July 2003] at Bristol Motor Speedway. With aproximately 10 infield stop watches on hand, lap times were in the low to mid 14 second ranges thru the latter sessions of the three hour test period, putting speeds slightly over 135 miles per hour at the track which is slightly over one half mile long. Adams from Malabar Florida the current USCS "Asphalt Thunder" series points leader, recorded a 14.29 second lap as did Doug Berryman from Mansfield, Ohio. Two time USCS champion Terry Gray from Bartlett, Tennessee flew around the high 36 degree banks in 14.37 seconds and Jim Raptis from Marietta, Georgia, had a best for the day of 14.63 seconds. All four drivers unofficially broke the record of 14.908 seconds set by Ryan Newman during qualifying for the Winston Cup event at BMS last March [2003].(2-26-2009)
UPDATE 2: Sammy Swindell ran a 13.86 second lap [138.442mph] in 2000 when they ran the World of Outlaws ran there and converted the track to dirt.(2-26-2009)
- Rusty’s Pit Stop season ticket package available at Bristol: Beginning with the upcoming March race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, a new season package will be available to race fans that gives them access to both a suite and a grandstand seat. Rusty’s Pit Stop season ticket package allow those purchasing tickets in the Wallace Tower access to the suite nearest that grandstand section. Fans will be able to use the catwalk to gain access to the suite. The suite will be a Wallace-branded lounge with restrooms and a cash concession area, as well as a cash bar. The suite will be standing room only and guests also will access to additional restrooms located on suite level. The suite is fully enclosed, climate controlled and features several flat-screen televisions. Each fan purchasing Rusty’s Pit Stop package also will receive one $25 voucher for both the March and August NASCAR race weekends at BMS. Included in the package are both Sprint Cup events and both Nationwide Series races. Cost for Rusty’s Pit Stop is $500 per person for the entire season. This offer is good to the first 180 people wishing to purchase the package. Fans interested in purchasing Rusty’s Pit Stop season ticket package, which went on sale Monday, Feb. 16, should contact the Bristol Motor Speedway ticket office at 423-989-6900.(BMS PR)(2-23-2009)
- Ford Fan Action offers Bristol Tickets for reduced cost or free: The biggest Spring weekend in the history of Bristol Motor Speedway kicks off with Ford Fan Friday March 20 and Ford, the official vehicle of the World’s Fastest Half-Mile, is making certain fans are able watch it all at little, or no, cost. Ford is making tickets available to the general public on Ford Fan Friday, which features practice for both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide cars, as well as qualifying for the Food City 500, for only $5. And, if spectators bring a specially marked Pepsi can to the gate that day, they will receive free entry. Pepsi, the official soft drink of BMS, will have a total of three million cans in circulation boasting the special offer. Ford also is offering fans the opportunity to take hot laps at Bristol Motor Speedway with Ford drivers, including Carl Edward and Greg Biffle. Fans can visit their local Ford dealers between Feb. 16 and March 12 to test drive a Ford and they will receive two tickets to Ford Fan Friday March 20. At that time, they also can register to be one of three winners who will get to cruise the half-mile oval at BMS in a two-seater race car with Ford drivers. Practice for Ford Fan Friday begins at noon with the Sprint Cup cars taking to the .533-mile oval first, with the Nationwide cars on the track at 1:40 p.m. Qualifying for the Food City 500 begins at 3:40 p.m. and a final practice for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 starts at 4:45 p.m.(BMS PR)(2-18-2009)
- Family Race Night moving to BMS: A pre-race tradition that lets NASCAR drivers and fans meet is expected to officially end its 20-year run in Kingsport this week. Preliminary reports indicate Food City’s Family Race Night will be moved from MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport to Bristol Motor Speedway prior to this year’s Food City 500. The Food City Racing Web site shows the event is slated for March 22 at the racetrack. The decision is expected to be announced by Food City and Bristol Motor Speedway officials at a press conference Thursday. Speedway officials said a press conference will be held Thursday at 11:30am but that they could not yet confirm or deny reports that the event is being moved.(Kingsport Times New)(2-10-2009)
- Lengendary racers to run charity race at Bristol: Darrell Waltrip, Harry Gant, David Pearson, Junior Johnson and other champion drivers are scheduled to be a part of the first Saturday Night Special at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday, March 21. Paired with celebrity partners, these legendary racers will run 35 circuits of a 50-lap event to benefit charity and send race fans on a trip down memory lane. Assigned teammates will start the race and run 15 laps. At the end of that segment, some of Bristol’s best will start the second portion of the race in the order of finish of the first. Drivers will be competing in late model stock cars and $25,000 will be donated to the charity of choice of the winning team. The second-place team will have $10,000 given to the charity of its choice and $5,000 will go to the designated charity of the other entrants. But that big Bristol trophy they get to keep for themselves. “It’s been a while,” said Johnson, who has one win as a driver, but 20 at BMS as a car owner. “But I think I can still turn some laps around this place. Darrell better buckle up.” Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, Jimmy Spencer and Phil Parsons also are expected to compete. Dale Jarrett, Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace and Cale Yarborough were extended invitations. The Saturday Night Special will take place after the completion of the Scotts Turf Builder 300 Nationwide Series race and the 100-lap UARA late model event. Info on Tickets at (423) 989-6900 and toll-free (866) 415-4158.(BMS PR)(2-5-2009)
- State of Tennessee, Bristol fight over tax on broadcasts: Bristol Motor Speedway and the state of Tennessee are fighting in court over money the racetrack brings in from the broadcast of NASCAR races. Both sides were in a Nashville courtroom earlier this month trying to negotiate a way forward in the lawsuit that began after the state demanded that the speedway pay taxes on money it makes from televised races at the track. The lawsuit, filed last year in Chancery Court in Nashville, claims the state Department of Revenue is illegally taxing the track. At stake is nearly $420,000 in taxes and interest.(Associated Press / USA Today)(1-30-2009)
- Food City/BMS Announcement - Fan Appreciation: A big announcement regarding one of NASCAR’s races, and certainly one of the Tri-Cities most beloved sporting events, will be made today. Bristol Motor Speedway President, Bruton Smith, and Food City representatives will make an announcement concerning March’s Food City 500 at 3pm. What will be said is still unclear at this point.(tricities.com), Food City has been the title sponsor of the spring Sprint Cup race since 1992.
UPDATE: 2009 Food City 500 Fan Appreciation Tour - A limited number of tickets to the 2009 Food City 500 will be available for loyal fans and Food City customers to purchase! The Fan Appreciation Tour will be visiting 29 Food City locations starting January 7th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Check the schedule for your chance to go racing at Bristol:
DATE STORE LOCATION
1/7/09 Piney Flats, TN
1/8/09 Bristol, VA (Bonham Rd)
1/9/09 Greeneville, TN (Snapps Ferry Rd)
1/10/09 Knoxville, TN (Strawberry Plains)
1/11/09 Johnson City, TN (South Roan St)
1/12/09 Sevierville, TN
1/15/09 Vansant, VA
1/17/09 Newport, TN (Western Plaza)
1/17/09 Pikeville, KY (Cassidy Blvd)
1/18/09 Richlands, VA
1/19/09 Knoxville, TN (Chapman Hwy./Mtn. Grove Dr)
1/22/09 Rogersville, TN
1/23/09 Oak Ridge, TN
1/24/09 Middlesboro, KY
1/25/09 Marion, VA
1/26/09 Maryville, TN
1/29/09 Paintsville, KY
1/30/09 Dandridge, TN
1/31/09 St. Paul, VA
2/1/09 Knoxville, TN (Fountain City)**12-4pm
2/2/09 Lenoir City, TN
2/5/09 Gray, TN
2/6/06 Morristown, TN (Andrew Johnson Hwy)
2/7/09 Kingston, TN
2/8/09 Wise, VA
2/9/09 Knoxville, TN (Peters Rd)
2/12/09 Blountville, TN
2/13/09 Crossville, TN
2/14/09 Kingsport, TN (Eastman Rd)
Tickets will be sold Jan. 7 through Feb. 14, 2009 at a different Food City location each day between 3pm and 7pm with the exception of Feb. 1, which will be from Noon to 4pm. Complete schedule above. Grand Prize Package - At the conclusion of the Fan Appreciation Tour, Bristol Motor Speedway will award one race fan with the Ultimate Food City 500 Race Weekend Experience. Register at participating Food City. No purchase necessary to enter.
Package Includes:
• 2 Suite Passes for the entire weekend (all three days) in The Bristol Club
• 2 Cold Pit Passes
• 2 Hospitality Passes
• Pre-Race Ceremony Passes
• Food City Family Race Night Tickets
(tricities.com)(1-6-2009)
- Ford the new official vehicle of Bristol Motor Speedway: Tri-Cities and Charleston Ford Dealer Advertising Group have teamed up to become the official vehicle of Bristol Motor Speedway in 2009. The sponsorship agreement is for three years. The vehicle sponsorship was previously held by General Motors. The Tri-Cities and Charleston Ford Dealer Advertising Group encompasses 40 dealerships in Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky. The sponsorship opportunity was initiated by the Tri-Cities and Charleston Ford dealers, independently of Ford Motor Company, through their dealer group advertising fund. Bristol Motor Speedway provides more than 16,000 square feet to display Ford’s latest vehicles, including the 2009 F-150, 2010 Mustang, Fusion Hybrid and Taurus. Sponsorship of the Official Vehicle of Bristol Motor Speedway also includes Pole Day for the March race weekend on March 20, as well as the popular Transporter Parade, set this year for Aug. 20.(BMS PR)(1-6-2009)
- Limited number of Bristol Season Tickets Available: Folks wondering what to get those sports fans on their Christmas list now may get them what many always have wanted -- season tickets to Bristol Motor Speedway. As a result of the recent economic environment, for the first time since Speedway Motorsports purchased the facility in 1996, Bristol Motor Speedway has a limited supply of season tickets to sell. "We don't believe the economy will be facing these times forever and as a result, we don't believe we will have tickets available when business returns to normal." said BMS president and general manger Jeff Byrd. "Just like a ticket to the Masters or Lambeau or Fenway, having tickets to Bristol is on the list of a lot of sports fans. Because of our environment here we have been fortunate to sell out 53 consecutive races and we believe the Food City 500 in March will be number 54. As a result of that, some people have given up trying to get tickets. But it is no secret many corporations are cutting back in certain areas and we have a large amount of corporate clients who are cutting tickets from their accounts as a means to trim. For tickets call (423) 989-6900 or log on to www.bristoltix.com.(BMS PR)(12-23-2008)
- Pedestrian, Roadway Projects In Front Of BMS Near Completion: The concrete mixers, backhoes, shifting orange barrels and armies of workers that dominated the roadway in front of Bristol Motor Speedway over the past year are now history. “I’m driving into the speedway right now, and it looks great and traffic is flowing freely,” Kevin Triplett, BMS vice president of public affairs, said Wednesday from a cell phone as he pulled into the track’s south entrance. “When all is said and done, this has solved a lot of problems. What we’ve got now is a much safer environment.” Work began in the summer of 2007, and barring any mishaps or late additions, construction will be completed by Sunday’s deadline. Federal, state, city and BMS dollars were used to finally complete a combination of pedestrian and roadway improvement projects in front of and near the track – projects that BMS officials hoped would begin and end much sooner. City and speedway officials unsuccessfully sought state funding for a pedestrian safety project in 2001 and made another presentation to state officials in 2003. BMS owner Bruton Smith had pushed for pedestrian safety improvements for years and criticized state officials for not providing adequate money for such upgrades. The need is obvious when considering the massive number of people who converge on the speed cathedral. Three separate construction companies thundered through the accelerated project at the height of the shuffle early this year. The Tennessee Department of Transportation decided to rebuild Beaver Creek and Back Creek bridges and make other improvements within the one-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 11E from Exide Drive south to White Top Road, at a cost of about $4.7 million. TDOT originally planned to build new 10-foot-wide walkways on the side of the bridges, but BMS kicked in more than $232,000 to double the space to 20 feet for pedestrians on the speedway side only.
The bridge work was not scheduled to start for another two years, but the state decided to go forward sooner in an effort to get the work done in conjunction with the city’s project. Meanwhile, the city, using a combination of money from the city, BMS and federal grants, completed new sidewalks on Volunteer Parkway/U.S. Highway 11E leading to the speedway’s south entrance. The city also relocated underground utilities, renovated streetlights and constructed other pedestrian improvements near the speedway at a cost of approximately $5 million. The work is part of the city’s 2006-08 Transportation Improvement Program.(Bristol Herald Courier)(11-29-2008)
- BMS celebrates 12th anniversary of Speedway in Lights: The Autotrader.com Speedway In Lights Powered by TVA light show at Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway begins its 12th season Nov. 14 and to mark the occasion a spectacular new display, The Twelve Days of Christmas, will light up the night to anchor an already dazzling show. While the extravaganza, one of the largest holiday happenings in the Southeast, has been impressive in the past, it will even be more so this year with The Twelve Days of Christmas addition. The magnificent layout features a dozen scenes, each approximately 10 feet tall and nearly 15 feet wide, making up one of the largest displays at Speedway In Lights at approximately 180 feet long. Naturally, the exhibit features 12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. While the light show features in excess of 1.5 million lights and more than 200 displays, one of the most enticing elements of the four-mile drive-through route is that spectators actually get to drive on the World’s Fastest Half-Mile well as take a trip through Thunder Valley at Bristol Dragway. While several motorsports displays are featured along the route, a number of distinct favorites also return, including animated snowman attraction, which features flying snowballs that, upon impact, build a snowman; Dinosaur Village with six enormous pre-historic creatures, along with an erupting volcano, the cannon shot and the poinsettia wreath. The largest spectacle along the route features several animated figures from Gatlinburg leading up to the Sea of Illumination presented by Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies exhibit. The magnificent layout takes patrons on a drive under the grandstand area on the frontstretch side of the Speedway and features sharks, fish and a variety of other sea creatures and will stretch nearly 750 feet.
Christmas Village, located in the infield of BMS, is a popular destination on the drive-through route and features a variety of rides for children who can also visit with Santa, have hot chocolate and roast marshmallows. Several crafts vendors also will be set up in the Village. Proceeds from Speedway In Lights Powered by TVA, benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a non-profit foundation dedicated to distributing funds to qualified children’s charities. Funds from the foundation directly aid children in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. To date, Speedway Children’s Charities has raised in excess of $4 million for area agencies.
Tickets for Speedway In Lights, open nightly 6-10 p.m., Nov. 14-Jan. 3, are available at the BMS gate. Ticket prices for cars are $10 Sunday through Thursday, and $12 Friday and Saturday. Activity van tickets are $15 each night and bus tickets are $65 each night.
(BMS PR)(11-14-2008)
- New Bristol Camping Area to open with 1999 prices: As part of the continuing effort to ease the burden fans are feeling in their wallets, Bristol Motor Speedway officials recently opened a new section for camping -- at 1999 prices. Bristol race fans looking for great camping at affordable prices for the 2009 events at Bristol Motor Speedway should look no further than the new Landing Campground. Sites at the Landing will be available during the Food City 500 and Sharpie 500 race weekends for only $99 each, a price that was available almost a decade ago. The campsites will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. A maximum of two spots per event, per person may be reserved. By purchasing spots for the 2009 season, race fans will be able to reserve their spaces for 2010 and beyond. After 2009, the spaces will be renewable each year at a price to be determined. Each site is 20’ by 50’ and many offer a beautiful view of Holston Mountain. Shuttle service will carry guests to and from the speedway on event days. Guests also will have shower house access via a shuttle service. One car pass is available for each space. No tents are allowed.
For more information about the Landing Campground go to bristolmotorspeedway.com.(BMS PR)(11-1-2008)
