Phone: (423) 764-6555
Camping: (423) 764-6555 x239
Tockets: (423) 764-1161
Fax: (423) 764-1646
Address:
P.O. Box 3966
Bristol, TN 37625
Located on US Highway 11, 5 miles south of Bristol
- 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 Winston Cup that utilizes two pit roads. 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.
- AMS Announces record purse: NASCAR drivers competing in the March 9 Kobalt Tools 500, the March 8 Nicorette 300 and the March 7 American Commercial Lines 200 Craftsman Truck Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be battling for nearly $7 million in posted prize money. The awards for the events are part of a $6,763,848 purse
announced for the three days of racing that comprise the March 7-9 Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend schedule of events. This exciting weekend of racing will kick off Friday night,
March 7 with Georgia Power Sprint Cup Qualifying night, immediately followed by the American Commercial Line 200 Craftsman Truck Series race, where the tough trucks of NASCAR will hit the 1.54-mile quad-oval and battle for more than half a million dollars. Racing action will heat up on Saturday, March 8 when the Nationwide Series regulars try and beat select Sprint Cup drivers in the Nicorette 300, with $1,151,315 up for grabs. On Sunday, the stars of the Sprint Cup series will take on the high banks of Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Kobalt Tools 500, racing for a record purse of $5,060,012. This is the first time in Atlanta Motor Speedway's history the purse has exceeded five million dollars.
Great seats are available for the Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend, March 7-9. Contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX (877-926-7849), 770-946-4211 or visit atlantamotorspeedway.com for more information.(AMS PR)(3-2-2008)
- National Anthems for Bristol races: Country music recording artist Danielle Peck will sing the national anthem prior to the start of the sold-out Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 16 while Chris Young will do the honors before the Sharpie MINI 300 on March 15. A native of Jacksonville, N.C., the 29-year-old Peck was signed to the independent label Machine Records in 2005 and is expected to release her second album this year. Young, who hails from Murfreesboro, Tenn., was nominated for the Academy of Country Music's award for Top New Male Vocalist in 2007. He signed with the RCA Nashville label in 2006. The sold-out Food City 500 gets under way on Sunday, March 16 at 2pm while the Sharpie MINI 300 revs up at 2:30pm on Saturday, March 15. Tickets are available for the Sharpie MINI 300 and may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office at 423-989-6900 or by visiting www.bristoltix.com.(BMS PR)(3-4-2008)
- "Suite" Deal Available for March Race Weekend: In order to give fans that might enjoy watch the races from a different viewpoint, Bristol Motor Speedway is offering up a rare opportunity for the March 14-16 race weekend only. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the "suite" life from high about the World's Fastest Half Mile as a limited number of suite seats are now available for fans in the Turn 2 Bristol Box. Fans will enjoy theatre-style seating in the Bristol Box in a climate-controlled environment, along with meals and best of all, a magnificent view of Pole Day, the Sharpie MINI 300 Nationwide Series race and the sold-out Sharpie 500 Sprint Cup event. The cost per person for all three days is only $500. To reserve your seat, or for more information, please contact Kathy Artrip at kartrip@bristolmotorspeedway.com or 423-989-6973.(BMS PR)(2-25-2008)
- No smoking at Bristol grandstands/suites: In accordance with a new Tennessee state law, all grandstand, terrace, suite, and restroom areas at Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway now are non-smoking. This became effective October 1, 2007. The General Assembly of the State of Tennessee passed the "Non-Smoker Protection Act" in May and Governor Phil Bredesen signed it into law in June 2007. The Act prohibits smoking in most public facilities, including "sports arenas." Guests may still smoke in our concourse area, but grandstand, terrace and suite seating areas will be non-smoking.(BMS Site), this would also be the case for the Nationwide and Truck races at Nashville Superspeedway, located in Tennessee.(1-27-2008)
- Saturday Night Fireworks Show To Bring Bristols Speedway in Lights to a Close: The 11th season of Speedway In Lights Powered by TVA will conclude on Saturday,
Jan. 5 with a big bang. A fireworks display will take place that evening, putting a cap on another extremely successful season of the holiday light show at Bristol Motor Speedway. The fireworks extravaganza will begin at approximately 9:30pm/et that evening.(BMS PR)(1-4-2008)
- Passes Double at "New" Bristol: NASCAR’s Loop Data shows green flag passing during Saturday night’s Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway more than doubled that of the spring race at Bristol – from 991 passes in the spring to 2,147 passes Saturday night. The consensus opinion held by the drivers at the conclusion of the race rang loud and clear: the new surface at Bristol Motor Speedway met – and exceeded – expectations, as the addition of a second and third racing groove greatly increased the number of passes – and thusly, the competition. Take a look at the total passing numbers from the spring and this past weekend:
2007 Green Flag Passes at Bristol
Spring, Location, Summer
184, Frontstretch, 529
128, Backstretch, 487
313, Turns 1 and 2, 571
366, Turns 3 and 4, 560
991, Total, 2,147
The 2,147 green flag passes Saturday is a 108% increase over the spring race at Bristol. The individual numbers also grew. Below is a look at the top five in Green Flag Passes at the spring race and the top five this past Saturday night.
Bristol Green Flag Passes – Spring:
1. Kevin Harvick, 52
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 47
3. Jeff Burton, 46
4. Jeff Gordon, 37
5. David Stremme, 37
Bristol Green Flag Passes – Summer
1. J.J. Yeley, 107
2. Jamie McMurray, 105
3. Reed Sorenson, 87
4. Robby Gordon, 80
5. Martin Truex Jr., 80
evin Harvick’s top mark of 52 Green Flag Passes in the spring would have tied him for 18th with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in this past weekend’s race. Tony Stewart, who finished fourth Saturday night and clinched a spot in the Chase for the Nextel Cup, gave the new track at Bristol high marks: "Guys were running over each other to pass each other," said Stewart. "It’s the most fun I've had at Bristol in my career. I can't give it a better grade than an A-plus."(NASCAR PR)(8-28-2007)
- More seats at Bristol? Expansion of Bristol Motor Speedway may continue. Speedway Motorsports Chairman Bruton Smith mentioned the possibility Wednesday morning during an interview on the Sirius NASCAR Radio show "The Morning Drive." Smith was responding to questions about the popularity of the half-mile track, dubbed the World’s Fastest Half-Mile, from program hosts Marty Snider and David Poole, "We have been doing some studying," Smith said. "We can tear down that area there toward the third, fourth turn. We could take that down and I can add about another 8,000 seats by re-doing that whole thing. "That would put us on up to 173,000 [seats]." A sellout crowd of more than 160,000 is expected to attend Saturday’s Sharpie 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race. In fact, Nextel Cup races at BMS have sold out 51 straight times. Bristol Motor Speedway General Manager Jeff Byrd said Wednesday that he had "not heard" of the expansion plans disclosed by Smith. Other speedway officials had no comment. Smith is expected to be in Bristol for this weekend’s races.(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-25-2007)
- Junior Johnson grand marshal for Transporter Parade: NASCAR legend Junior Johnson will serve as the grand marshal for the Blue Lizard Transporter Parade - Making Wishes and Miracles Happen For Children In The East Tennessee Region Thursday, Aug. 23. This is the 11th consecutive year that NASCAR's transporters will take part in
the parade, which precedes the sold-out Sharpie 500 Saturday evening. The parade has become one of the most popular events of August race week with dozens of big rigs making their way through the city to Bristol Motor Speedway. Thousands of fans line the 10-mile route to take part in the spectacular event. This year the parade will have added significance as most of the transporter drivers will have a special passenger onboard - a child from Make-A-Wish or the Children's Miracle Network for the duration of the parade. Slated for a 9 p.m. start, following the completion of downtown Bristol's Food City Family Race Night, the brilliantly colored transporters will make their way from Bristol Mall down Volunteer Parkway to "The World's Fastest Half-Mile." The 2007 edition of the Blue Lizard Transporter Parade will boast more than 50 of the multi-million dollar machines that haul the Nextel Cup Series race cars from track to track throughout the season. The transporter leading the way will be the one belonging to the leader of the Nextel Cup point standings heading into the Sharpie 500. Adding to the fanfare of the parade, fireworks will explode high overhead from four points along the route. The transporter drivers also will be available prior to the start of the parade to sign autographs at the Bristol Mall. Spectators also can watch the drivers take part in the Pilot Truck Challenge.(BMS PR)(8-22-2007)
- National Anthem singers et for Bristol August races: Country music recording artist Trent Willmon will sing the national anthem before the Food City 250 Busch Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, Aug. 24 while the anthem for the sold-out Sharpie 500 on Saturday night will be performed by the children of NASCAR drivers. One of the most popular groups to sing the anthem in recent years at BMS will return for the Sharpie 500 as Motor Racing Outreach will bring the children of NASCAR drivers before the crowd of nearly 160,000 to kick off NASCAR's most popular race.(BMS PR)(8-16-2007)
- Rusty Wallace Drives New Bristol Surface: Thursday afternoon Bristol Motor Speedway president Jeff Byrd received a surprise call from Rusty Wallace. He was in the area and wanted to stop by and take a spin on the new concrete surface. And the former Nextel Cup champion had no intention of taking a nice, leisurely drive around the .533-mile oval. Instead, Wallace climbed into the BMS pace car and ripped off lap after lap at speeds around 95 mph. His verdict? "On a scale of 1 to 10, what do I think?" It's a 10," Wallace said.(Bristol Motor Speedway PR)(7-21-2007)
- Bristol Top Pick As Favorite Track Among Nextel Cup Drivers: Bristol Motor Speedway has been named in many polls as the favorite NASCAR track among fans. Now, Nextel Cup drivers have placed it at the top of their list in the current issue of Sports Illustrated. As part of the 2007 NASCAR Midseason Report in the July 2 issue of Sports Illustrated, drivers were polled to get their opinions and thoughts on a number of topics, both on-track and off. Approximately 40% of the Nextel Cup regulars responded to the poll. Drivers were asked which racetrack was their favorite and 18% selected Bristol Motor Speedway as their #1 choice.(Bristol Motor Speedway PR)(7-2-2007)
- Bristol Reconcreting close to done: Construction crews are ahead of schedule in replacing the concrete racing surface at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kevin Triplett, Bristol’s vice president of public affairs, said earlier this week that resurfacing was “more than three-quarters done. We’re finishing pouring concrete on Turn 4 and putting in the retaining fence, and we still need to pour concrete on the front and back pit roads,” Triplett said. Workers cracked the track’s surface after the Nextel Cup’s Food City 500 in late March. The goal then was to complete renovations by mid-July, but the job could be finished a week sooner. NASCAR officials called Triplett recently and said they wanted firm test dates to get ready for the Sharpie 500 on Aug. 25. Triplett said that the first test will be July 23, with Truck series drivers. Busch drivers will try out the new track July 24, and Goodyear will test tires with selected Nextel Cup cars and drivers July 25. Baker Construction Services of Bluff City removed the old concrete racing surface, asphalt apron, pit roads and retaining walls and added about four miles of drainage tile beneath the new surface and infield.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-30-2007)
- Concrete begins to pour for new surface at BMS: Recent dry weather has helped speed up the resurfacing work at Bristol Motor Speedway, but a mid-July deadline is approaching. Work crews have replaced the concrete retaining walls around the "World’s Fastest Half-Mile" and poured new concrete pit stalls. This [Last] week, workers began pouring the new concrete racing surface. "We need rain desperately in this area, but not having it sure helps with construction projects," said Kevin Triplett, the speedway’s vice president of public affairs. We’re moving along pretty well. They started pouring the base layer on the front stretch and turns 1 and 2. And they’ll pour the surface layer on the front stretch and 1 and 2 in the next few days." Dirt work is nearly complete in turns 3 and 4 and gravel covers the backstretch. The multimillion-dollar project began in March, just after the running of the Food City 500. Work crews from Baker Construction Services of Bluff City removed the old concrete racing surface, asphalt apron, pit road and all the retaining walls around the popular NASCAR oval track. They also added about four miles of drainage tile beneath the new racing surface and infield. The new surface is expected to get about three weeks of curing time, which should be aided by NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Busch Series test sessions scheduled to begin July 23, Triplett said.(Bristol Herald Courier)(6-7-2007)
- Bristol Concrete available to fans in July: History was made in August of 1992 when Bristol Motor Speedway hosted the very first NASCAR Cup Series race on an all-concrete surface. In July of this year, fans will get the opportunity to own a piece of that history.
A new concrete surface will be in place for NASCAR’s most popular race, the Sharpie 500 in August. However, on July 1, pieces of the original concrete surface from the Start/Finish Line, where drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart have celebrated Bristol victories, will be made available for fans looking to add the most unique of souvenirs to their racing memorabilia collection. Three versions of the collectible will be made available to fans. There is a piece of concrete in an acrylic case that will sell for $25, a 12”x14” framed piece that is $60 and the Concrete Showpiece, priced at $100. A portion of all sales of the concrete will benefit the Bristol chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. Quantities from the actual Start/Finish Line are limited. Only the actual concrete raced on by Bristol winners since 1992 will be sold – after it’s gone, no other portions of the surface will be sold. Anyone wishing to order a piece of Bristol history can call the Speedway World souvenir store at BMS at (423) 989-6960 beginning July 1, order online at www.gospeedwayworld.com, or visit the BMS souvenir store or any Speedway souvenir stand Aug. 22-25 during race week.(BMS PR)(3-29-2007)
- BMS will have new look in the fall: Bristol Motor Speedway will have a new look when NASCAR fans return in the fall. To the delight of some drivers and crew chiefs, work on a new concrete surface begins this morning on the World’s Fastest Half-Mile. BMS officials have consulted with current and former drivers, including Rusty Wallace and Jeff Gordon. The goal is to offer a smoother surface which leads to better racing. "I’m happy to give my feedback and I hope other drivers are," said Gordon, a five-time Bristol race winner. "I wish that every track that is either repaved or where they are building a new track that they would sit down with as many drivers and crew chiefs and tire engineers and NASCAR officials that they possibly can before they decide what they’re going to do." As usual, the work at BMS will be cutting edge. A new machine, called the Gomaco Slope Paver, has been developed to handle the specifications of the unique BMS oval which features 36-degree banking in the corners. The resurfacing project should be completed by mid-July.
(Bristol Herald Courier)(3-26-2007)
- BMS offers Commemorative Pavers: If you’ve ever wanted to leave your mark at Bristol Motor Speedway, look no further than the new Bristol Walk of Fame. The Bristol Walk of Fame is the area located directly in front of the Speedway’s main entrance which is part of the new sidewalk. A total of 7,200 pavers, 12” x 12” in size, are now being made available to the public for purchase. More info at www.bristolmotorspeedway.com. The Bristol Walk of Fame pavers are $199 each and will go on sale Thursday, March 23 at the Bruton Smith Building at BMS. Each purchase is tax deductible, up to $149, as all proceeds will benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.(BMS PR)(3-23-2007)
- DW and Johnson tapped as Starter, Grand Marshal at Bristol: Two of NASCAR's greatest legends and the most successful driver and owner in Bristol Motor Speedway history, Darrell Waltrip and Junior Johnson, will kick off the Food City 500 in style with Waltrip waving the green flag while Johnson will serve as Grand Marshal.
Waltrip, who is a television commentator for FOX, which will be broadcasting the March 25 race, will be shown live on the air, waving the green flag to start the sold-out Food City 500 while uttering his famous "Boogity, boogity, boogity" phrase. This will be the first time Waltrip has been the Honorary Starter for a NEXTEL Cup Series event and is thought to be the first time an on-air personality has started a Cup race during a live broadcast. The 60-year-old Waltrip, a three-time Nextel Cup champion and winner of 84 races at NASCAR's top level, is the all-time leading winner at the World's Fastest Half-Mile with 12 victories. While Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough and Rusty
Wallace all had nine wins at Bristol, the next closest active drivers to Waltrip's mark are Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch with five wins apiece. David Pearson also had five BMS wins. Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers, he made history at Bristol when he won a remarkable seven consecutive Cup events from the spring of 1981 through the spring of 1984. Waltrip's first win at Bristol came in the spring of 1978 and his final came in August of 1992, which was the first race on concrete at BMS.
Johnson is the all-time leading car owner at Bristol with a remarkable 21 victories and was Waltrip's car owner during his streak of seven straight wins. The next closest was the Holman-Moody team with nine wins while Richard Childress, Jack Roush and Roger Penske are the winningest active owners with eight each. The 75-year-old Johnson, also one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers, captured 50 Cup wins over his distinguished career, including one at Bristol in the spring of 1965 when he served as both driver and owner. Johnson's record of consecutive race wins at Bristol outshines Waltrip's by one, as he won an amazing eight straight events on the high-banked oval, including the August night race of 1980 with Cale Yarborough behind the wheel.(BMS PR)(3-20-2007)
- Bill Currington to sing National Anthem at Bristol: Georgia-born country music sensation Billy Currington will sing the national anthem prior to the sold-out Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 25. This will be Currington's first trip to the World's Fastest Half-Mile, where he'll sing in front of nearly 160,000 fans.(BMS PR)(3-20-2007)
- Inpection at Bristol for COT may change: NASCAR officials apparently have been telling crew chiefs in the Nextel Cup garage no one should fail inspection prior to the first practice session at Bristol Motor Speedway in two weeks. If there was a car that passed every template during the recent Bristol test for the COT, no one can point it out. The Ford nose missed the template by 3/16's of an inch on both sides and there was a minor issue with the hood that must be worked out in a hurry. Chevry teams also had issues in the nose and tail sections. Dodge and Toyota were also not without issues but individuals in those camps were not talking. The word now is NASCAR is going to relax the process, requiring teams to meet just four of the eight required points in the overall template.(CircleTrackPlus.com), see image of the inspection 'cage' on my COT page.(3-11-2007)
- BMS Names 30 Fans To Serve On Inaugural Advisory Board: Bristol Motor Speedway named 30 members to its inaugural Fan Advisory Board. Geared toward better serving the hundreds of thousands of spectators who visit the Speedway each year, the board will communicate with other fans and BMS management to further strengthen Bristol's commitment to being the most fan-friendly venue in racing. A total of 1,588 applicants from 41 states and Canada vied for the 30 positions on the Fan Advisory Board. Those selected represent 18 states and Canada. The Board consists of a healthy demographic cross-section of loyal fans which will communicate with other fans to provide feedback and offer new ideas to BMS management. The goal is for this communication to aid in the growth and development of the Speedway and its ability to exceed expectations by delivering the ultimate fan experience. As always, BMS management will continue to be available for direct communication and correspondence with fans. The FAB will simply increase the level of communication and will provide BMS with an immediate sounding board in which to solicit fan opinions, ideas and suggestions, all with the best interest of the fan experience in mind. Correspondence and meetings will include Bristol senior level management to ensure all action items are executed in the vision of the fans and the board. Board members will serve a term of one year. The FAB meetings will take place during NASCAR event weekends at Bristol Motor Speedway for board members in attendance. The online message board will serve as an ongoing open line of communication and involvement/activity is unlimited. Throughout the year, a series of teleconferences also will take place in which board members will actively participate in meetings via phone.
Members of the 2007 Board are, in alphabetical order, Daniel Barry (Oxford, Mass.), Will Daniels (Coldiron, Ken.), Gail Ervin (Columbia, Tenn.), Gloria Flucks (Wyandotte, Mich.), Larry Funderburk (Algood, Tenn.), Rebecca Goggins (Alabaster, Ala.), Richard Hughes (Manquin, Va.), Scott Holdren (Coeymans, N.Y.), Chris Huddleston (Bristol, Tenn.), Lorna Ivey (Eclectic, Ala.), Evelyn Kelly (Long Branch, N.J.), Debbie Lamb (Glasford, Ill.), David Martus (Dyer, Ind.), Cathernine McCause (Martinez, Calif.), James McDonough (Camlachie, Ont.), Michael Payte, Jr. (Branson, Mo.), Tim Puccetti (Bridgeville, Penn.), Beverly Ramsey (Mars Hill, N.C.), David Riel (Fort Recovery, Ohio), Joe Ruch (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Richard Snider (Waynesboro, Va.), Chris Taylor (Mt. Carmel, Ill.), Stanley Taylor (Kennesaw, Ga.), Douglas Titera (Ladysmith, Wisc.), Louis Urschel (Marietta, Ohio), Alma Vance (Bluff City, Tenn.), Taylor Vaughn (Galax, Va.), Loretta Webster (Hernando, Miss.), Lisa Whiteside (Pleasant Prairie, Wisc.) and Scott Wisemandle (Dayton, Ohio).(BMS PR)(3-9-2007)
- Food City extends with BMS: Abingdon, Va.-based Food City announced an extension of its Nextel Cup race sponsorship to 2010. An agreement signed by Food City CEO Steve Smith and BMS track president Jeff Byrd also extended sponsorship of the August Food City 250 Busch Series race.(Johnson City Press)(3-1-2007)
- Bristol sells out Food City 500, 50th sellout in a row: The Food City 500 Nextel Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 25 has sold out, a consecutive streak of Nextel Cup sellouts, which reaches 50 began in August 1982 a stretch of 25 years. back in 1982, the track capacity was 71,000, now the is close to 160,000. "It's a pretty significant accomplishment," said BMS President and General Manager Jeff Byrd. "I don't know of any race track that can even come close to 50 straight sellouts. The amazing thing about the streak is that no matter what the seating capacity was throughout the years, the fans always bought tickets and always came to Bristol to fill those seats. It all goes back to the loyalty fans feel toward Bristol and the fact that they love the experience that is Bristol Motor Speedway. The short track action, the high banks, the ability to see everything that's happening on the track... it's very unique and they appreciate it."(BMS PR)
AND Fans planning to attend the Car of Tomorrow test sessions at Bristol Motor Speedway Feb. 28 and March 1, also will have the opportunity to purchase specially-priced Pole Day and Sharpie MINI 300 Busch Series tickets. More info at bristolmotorspeedway.com)
(2-25-2007)
- Bristol COT Testing open to public: With NASCAR debuting the Car of Tomorrow [COT] during the Food City 500 weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway March 23-25, Nextel Cup teams will be visiting the famed half-mile oval in advance to put the new car through its paces. The Feb. 28-March 1 COT test session, which is expected to feature nearly every Nextel Cup team, will be open to the public both days. The test sessions will begin at 9:00am and end at 5:00pm/et. An hour break in on-track action is scheduled from noon to 1:00pm/et each day. Fans wishing to watch the test sessions will enter BMS through the South entrance and will enter the backstretch grandstands through Gate 6. Parking will be in the lot directly across from Gate 6. Spectator gates will open at 8:45am. both days. Concessions also will be available for spectators. Tickets for the races are available online at www.bristoltix.com or may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900.(BMS PR)(1-31-2007)
- Bristol to be resurfaced after March Cup race: Bristol Motor Speedway will be getting a new look this summer that should make for even more exciting racing as the .533-mile oval receives a new concrete surface after the March 25 running of the Food City 500 Nextel Cup race. And just like the one-of-a-kind racing fans get at Bristol Motor Speedway, officials commissioned a one-of-a-kind machine to do the job. Baker Concrete Construction, Inc., of Monroe, Ohio, developed the Gomaco Slope Paver, an all-new machine, to handle the specifications of Bristol's unique high-banked oval. A pair of unrelated Baker Construction companies (Baker Construction Services of Bluff City, Tenn., is the other) head the project that should be completed by mid-July. SMI's Development team hopes the new surface promotes even closer racing and a much smoother ride for the drivers. The famous Bristol banking will remain the same. Crews plan to begin demolition for the entire racing surface, track apron, pit road, inside retaining walls and 80 percent of the outside walls March 26, the day after the Food City 500. This project marks the first time since 1992 that the entire track undergoes a complete resurfacing. In the summer of that year, then-track owner Larry Carrier made NASCAR history when he created NASCAR's first all-concrete racing surface. Project specifications call for more than 14,520 square yards of concrete to be used for the track surface alone. Bristol's resurfacing project will employ a crew of 130 and cover in excess of 30,000 worker hours.(BMS PR)(1-25-2007)
- Bristol Launches Fan Advisory Board: Geared toward better serving the hundreds of thousands of spectators who visit "The World's Fastest Half-Mile" each year, Bristol Motor Speedway will institute a Fan Advisory Board in 2007. The effort further strengthens Bristol's commitment to being the most fan-friendly venue in racing. The BMS Fan Advisory Board will consist of a group of loyal fans who will provide feedback and offer new ideas that will aid in the growth and development of the Speedway and its ability to exceed expectations by delivering the ultimate fan experience. Fans interested in becoming a member can access and complete the online application by clicking the FAB banner on the venue's home page at www.bristolmotorspeedway.com. The application deadline is Friday, Feb.9, 2007. The FAB will be comprised of 20-25 members, consisting of a healthy demographic cross-section. Correspondence and meetings will include Bristol senior level management to ensure all action items are executed in the vision of the fans and the board. Board members will serve a term of one year. The FAB meetings will take place during NASCAR event weekends at Bristol Motor Speedway for board members in attendance. The online message board will serve as an ongoing open line of communication and involvement/activity is unlimited. Throughout the year, a series of teleconferences also will take place in which board members will actively participate in meetings via phone. Those selected to serve on the board will be notified Feb. 27-March 1. Board activity will begin March 4.(BMS PR)(1-19-2007)
- Food City's "15 Years - 15 Winners Promotion Gives Fans Chance to Win Tickets to 2007 Food City 500: Next year Food City celebrates its 15th anniversary of sponsoring the Nextel Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol and to mark the occasion, some lucky fan – and a bunch of his or her friends – will be having a spring fling like no other during the March event. Food City and Bristol Motor Speedway are teaming up to give one person the chance to have a party to remember at the Food City 500 for a group of 15 with its "15 Years – 15 Winners" promotion. That’s right. The winner gets to invite 14 of his nearest and dearest friends and/or family members to the Food City 500 on March 25.(Bristol Motor Speedway PR)(12-23-2006)
- Speedway Motorsports distributes to Speedway Children's Charities:
Bristol: The Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities topped the $3 million mark and presented a record $450,000 to 74 children's charitable agencies throughout the Mountain Empire during a Thursday evening ceremony at Bristol Motor Speedway's Bruton Smith Building. The 74 agencies set a record as well for the Bristol Chapter as it continues its endeavor to enrich the lives of regional youth.(BMS Site)
Speedway Children's Charities is the primary charitable arm of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which owns and operates Infineon Raceway. Speedway Children's Charities is a non-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds to be distributed to qualified children's organizations. Founded in 1984 by Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Speedway Children's Charities originated at Lowe's Motor Speedway in North Carolina. Fifty-five youth groups will receive funding from Speedway Children's Charities in 2006.(12-8-2006)
- Bristol to be resurfaced UPDATE delayed until 2007: Lowe's Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedeay are not the only tracks being resurfaced. Jeff Byrd, the President of Bristol Motor Speedway told MRN Radio's NASCAR Today that his track will get resurfaced after the Food City 500 in March. "It's kinda like screwing around with the formula for Coca-Cola. I don't know whether we're tinkering with a formula that doesn't need to be changed. We would like to reconfigure the track so the top lane so the top lane can carry more speed onto the straight-a-ways off of 2 and 4."(MRN Radio NASCAR Today)(1-25-2006)
UPDATE: Bristol Motor Speedway will require the undivided attention of its paving engineer and contractors when it installs a new concrete racing surface on the World's Fastest Half Mile, and that's why the project has been put off until 2007. The project was very close to being scheduled for this summer. Wayne Estes, BMS vice president of communications and events, said Tuesday that Speedway Motorsports Inc. CEO Bruton Smith left it up to track President Jeff Byrd whether or not to proceed with the resurfacing in 2006 or wait until 2007. Speedway Motorsports also owns Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, both of which will receive a new surface in 2006. Ultimately it was decided that spreading the attention of Speedway Motorsports' preferred engineer, construction company and developers three ways might not produce the optimum results. As it stands now, BMS will receive its new concrete racing surface following the 2007 spring NASCAR races, with the project to be completed by the time NASCAR returns to BMS for the August night races. The existing concrete surface was constructed in 1992, and at that time technology was not as advanced as it is now with regard to race track paving, Estes said. He said the existing surface has served the facility well, but time is beginning to take its toll. Tentatively scheduled to follow construction of the new concrete racing surface is a redesign of the infield, which would make room for more haulers to park and improve their maneuverability. Estes noted that the new infield design is in the earliest planning stages, but the concept at this time is for all the buildings to be placed in the corners. Most notably the infield media center, which faces the frontstretch grandstands, would be torn down and a new one constructed at one end of the infield. Estes said the media center was in need of a technological upgrade anyway. Also to be improved would be the Wellmont Infield Care Center.(Kingsport Times-News)(3-8-2006)
