Jarrett participated in the traditional track activities on Friday, practicing the #44 UPS Toyota on Friday morning in preparation for the qualifying session. Rain however, settled across the track and forced NASCAR to cancel the qualifying session and placing Jarrett 37th in the starting lineup. Once qualifying was canceled, Jarrett participated in a media session in the infield media center, addressing questions regarding his thoughts of his last point race.

"This week has been a lot more different than what I've thought all season," Jarrett said. "I've always been able to say, ‘I've got a few more weeks,' or ‘I've got a couple of months before that comes.' It was easy to say at that time, but we're here. This is it this week. I've found myself thinking about a lot of the things that have happened over the last 20 years. It's been fun thinking about it, but kind of difficult to see now that it's coming to an end."

"It's been great," Jarrett continued. "I've had a wonderful time. As I've said a number of times, it's been a privilege and an honor to drive for the car owners that I have and represent the sponsors that I have. As I look at it now, I'm going out with the best sponsor in the business in UPS. I couldn't have asked for a better scenario. If you gave me a chance to go back and do it all over again, I wouldn't have changed a thing about it."

Jarrett paid a visit to the Bristol Motor Speedway Ring Club on Friday night, participating in a question and answer session with a select group of race fans attending the race weekend. Following the visit, Jarrett would go on to be inducted into the Ring Club and presented with his very own diamond-encrusted ring during driver introductions on Sunday.

The weekend culminated with the Food City 500 on Sunday and preparations for that historic event. After making the traditional hospitality visits, Jarrett attended the mandatory driver/crew chief meeting at which NASCAR President Mike Helton acknowledged Jarrett's final point event and then presented him with a photo featuring a collage of images from Jarrett's 22-plus year career.

After participating in driver introductions, Jarrett was brought to the pre-race ceremony stage where he was joined by family members as the track paid tribute to him and his career. The track presented him with a rare, antique rifle. Knowing Jarrett's passion for the sport of golf, the track also presented him with a rare putter and 668 golf balls to enjoy in his leisure.

Adding to the occasion was the presence of his father, racing legend Ned Jarrett, who participated in the pre-race ceremonies and served as the honorary starter for the 500-lap race. Before stepping into the race car, the father-son duo participated in one more lap around the half-mile truck, Ned driving while Dale sat in the convertible. During the lap, a card stunt featuring the words "Thanks Dale" was displayed along the backstretch grandstands while a video of Jarrett's historic events played across the track video screen.

The main event, the race itself, kicked off with Jarrett starting in the 37th position. The #44 UPS team had troubles during the race that resulted in a 37th-place finish. While it was not the finish Jarrett would have liked, he said he was proud to have had the opportunity to participate in the day's events.

"It's obviously not the finish I would have liked," Jarrett said. "This was a tremendous day and I was fortunate to be able to have my entire family here for everything. It's been a great career. I have no regrets and I feel lucky to be able to go out on my own terms."