Talk to any die-hard NASCAR fan and this track is likely at the top of their wish list to visit. It's high-banked, short-track racing action equals a high demand for tickets with a short list of chances to secure such a hot commodity. With just 160,000 plus seats available at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) for the upcoming Food City 500, it's considered sacred ground in terms of the ultimate NASCAR experience.
This weekend the Sprint Cup Series returns to "Thunder Valley" for its first short track race of the season. It also marks the one year anniversary for the debut of the Car of Tomorrow, which now is used full-time on the Sprint Cup circuit.
For fans traveling to the Tri-City area for this weekend's event, the track and community are hosting several different events to enhance the fan's Bristol experience. This begins with the opportunity for NASCAR enthusiasts to get a first-hand view of what their favorite driver's vantage point is during the race while at the same time supporting a charitable cause. Speedway Children's Charity has partnered with the Richard Petty Driving Experience to allow fans the opportunity to purchase a three-lap Ride-Along around the "World's Fastest Half-Mile" on either Thursday or Friday evening beginning at 7 p.m. More information is available on the Bristol Motor Speedway web site.
Also on tap for the weekend is a Bristol tradition as the Food City Family Race Nights return to host two fun-filled events for motorsports fans. The event takes place over two days in two different locations where fans can expect a fun-filled evening jam-packed with driver autograph sessions, show cars, simulators, souvenir trailers, entertainment and a smorgasbord of free food samples.
Knoxville Race Night festivities will take place Wednesday, March 12th at the Knoxville Expo Center in Knoxville, Tenn. The action will get underway at 5:00 p.m. and continue until 9:00 p.m. On Thursday, the event travels to Kingsport, Tenn. to the Meadowview Convention Center from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. One event slated for Thursday night is a tribute to UPS driver Dale Jarrett, who will be competing in his final regular season Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday at BMS.
FOX is scheduled to broadcast live television coverage of the Food City 500 beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. The green flag is scheduled to fall at 2 p.m. ET.
Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway
Qualifying Record: Ryan Newman (128.709 mph, 14.908 seconds), March 21, 2003
Race Record: Charlie Glotzbach (101.074 mph, 2 hours, 38 minutes, 12 seconds), July 11, 1971
2007 Winner: Kyle Busch
Total Purse: $5,661,265
