In recognition of Food City renaming Sunday’s Sprint Cup race The Jeff Byrd 500, the #70 Chevy driven by Shelby Howard will have a Thank You on the deck lid of the race car during the Scott’s EZ Seed 300 this Saturday. Jeff Byrd was the president of Bristol Motor Speedway. More than that, however, he was of and for the fans. That, more than anything, explained Food City CEO Steve Smith, led the sponsoring company, a fixture at BMS for 20 years, to suggest to speedway officials that Sunday’s race be renamed the Jeff Byrd 500. Track GM, Jerry Caldwell mentioned that “the Jeff Byrd 500 was one of the most selfless acts that I have seen from a company in a long time”. The decal on the rear deck lid reads – “Thank You Food City for Honoring Our Friend Jeff Byrd”. Also on the #70 Chevy is Race Fuel Energy Drink which was the primary sponsor at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(ML Motorsports)(3-17-2011)
