PREVIEW - THUNDER VALLEY
"Racin' the way it oughta be"
"World's Fastest Half Mile"
"The Race Fan's high holy land"
Including driver's appearances, stuff to do, schedule, speedway info & more.
address: 151 Speedway Blvd. Bristol, TN. 37620 Phone: 423/764-6555 Fax: 423/764-1646
BRISTOL SPEEDWAY NEWS
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR 2010! To purchase 2010 season tickets, please call 423.989.6900 or toll free, 1.866.415.4158 I always suggest calling the track number. CLICK HERE
Children Ticket Rules:
Wednesday, Children 12 and under Free.
Friday, Children 12 and under $10 in designated areas.
Saturday, No discount on children. All fans entering the gate, regardless of age, must have a ticket
Announcement On No Smoking Policy 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.
New Law in Tennessee A new law takes affect on July 1, 2007. Regardless of age, all alcohol sales will require the purchaser to have a government issued id. For all the race fans, this means regardless if you are 21 or 71, you MUST show ID to purchase alcohol in Tennessee. In our spot checking, all the retail stores are checking and telling us that the Police are spot checking them as well. Please avoid an embarrassing situation, and have your ID on you as you go through the check out line in August. And if you choose to drink, please drink with responsibility. from our friends at finishlinerentals.com
Personalize your own square in Bristol's Walk of Fame Honor loved ones or your favorite driver on our Bristol Walk of Fame. For $200 you can put a two-line message in the checkered sidewalk in front of BMS. MORE
2010 Directions to Bristol Motor Speedway:
From the south: Traveling from the South, take Tennessee Exit 69 off I-81. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp onto Hwy. 394. Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway are located on the left side of Hwy. 394.
From the north: Take Virginia Exit 17 off I-81 and turn left on Hwy. 75. At the Tennessee border, the road changes to Hwy. 44. Continue on this route until the stop sign at U.S. 421. Turn right on 421 and stay on it until the traffic light at Hwy. 394. Turn left and proceed to Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway.
Fans coming from Knoxville on I-81 N can take Tennessee Exit 57A, then take I-26 east to Tennessee State Route 381 (State of Franklin Road) at Exit 19 in Johnson City, which leads to US 11E and north again to BMS. There is a new traffic signal in place at the intersection of 11E and Highway 19E in Bluff City. OR
take Tennessee Ext 66 (SR 126) from I81 or Exit 69 (SR 394) and go through Blountville to BMS. You will encounter another new traffic signal this way as well, at Highway 394 and Exide Drive one mile west of the speedway.
Fans coming south from Roanoke or Wytheville on southbound I-81 are encouraged to exit at Virginia Exit 17 (Virginia SR 75) in Abingdon and follow southbound Route 75 into Tennessee, where it changes to Tenn. SR 44. Route 44 intersects US 421 in Holston Valley; go north on US 421 and turn left on Tennessee Highway 394 which will bring motorists into the Dragway side of BMS. OR
can also exit at Virginia Exit 3 in Bristol (Interstate 381), which turns into Commonwealth Ave. in Bristol, va. And then Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, Tenn. This leads directly to BMS.
Fans coming over Sam’s Gap on westbound I-26 from Asheville should exit onto Tennessee SR 381 (State of Franklin Road) at Exit 19 in Johnson City which leads to US 11E and then on to BMS.
We come from the south and drive up I-26 to Johnson City and take Hwy 11 to the speedway.
Traffic Updates on the BMS Radio Network on the following radio stations.
WJCW-AM 910 (TriCities TN/VA)
WFHG-AM 980 (Bristol, Va.)
WMEV-FM 93.9 (Marion, Va.)
WPSK-FM 107.1 (Pulaski, Va.)
WXSM-AM 640 (TriCities, TN/VA)
WNVA-FM 106.3 (Norton, Va.)
WMVA-AM 1450 (Martinsville, Va.)
FROM RICK H: the state troopers on I – 81 north of Bristol are on the prowl every year, Friday and Monday. I counted six troopers each way and saw at least three people get pulled over as they passed me. Be smart go the speed limit.
Traffic Information
Radio Stations for info if you're driving in for the Sharpie 500.
WJCW AM-910......................Tri-Cities, TV/VA
WXSM AM-640......................Tri-Cities, TN/VA
WFHG FM-92.7......................Bristol, TN/VA
WNVA FM-106.3....................Norton, VA
WMEV FM-93.9.....................Marion, VA
WMVA AM-1450....................Martinsville, VA
WPSK FM-107.1....................Pulaski, VA
The continued growth in pedestrian flows in certain areas around BMS require that additional no-parking areas be signed . New no-parking areas will be in place along Old Thomas Bridge Road, Highway 390, and in the Apple Ridge subdivision, along with the traditional locations where parking has been prohibited in the past. Parking is prohibited in these areas either for increased pedestrian safety or to ensure emergency vehicle access into nearby subdivisions during the race periods.
Those of you that have attended both spring and August races at BMS know that the pre-race traffic for the August event is not as intense as the spring race events, since motorists have all day long to get to the speedway in time for the race. Even though the events are later in the day, it is still to your advantage to get to the speedway as soon as possible. This will allow time for getting through the security checkpoints in plenty of time for the race, as well as securing a parking space closer to the speedway and give you time to enjoy all the amenities of BMS. All of the post-race traffic is after sunset, so motorists must pay extra attention to watch for pedestrians, police officers, traffic flagmen, and signage to navigate after the races.
For the Busch and Nextel Cup race dates, the actual plan for moving traffic to and from BMS has not been changed much from previous years. Some routes are more heavily used than others. If you are coming south to BMS from Virginia and get off of Interstate 81 at Exit 3, consider using Tennessee State Route 358 (Weaver Pike) to get to the Dragway side of BMS. There is signage guiding you to BMS via Weaver Pike once you get off of the Interstate. When you leave BMS after Race Weekend is over from the Dragway side on Highway 394, consider using the route from Highway 394 to Exit 5 in Virginia by turning left when you get to the US 421 traffic signal; this route is also used less than the others. Construction has started on a new bridge over the railroad near downtown Bristol; once that is completed, the drain route to Virginia Exit 5 will be shifted to the new bridge. This work zone does not impact the current Exit 5 route, so there is no need to avoid that route for this race.
Traffic volumes in the Exit 7 and Linden Drive areas in Bristol, Virginia, continue to grow for the post-race periods. If you are traveling from BMS to Exit 7 after the race, it may be easier from the Highway 11E side of BMS to go to Interstate 81 northbound, exit at Virginia Exit 5, and proceed north on US 11 to the Exit 7 and Linden Drive areas. From the Dragway side, follow the signs to I-81 by turning left at the US 421 traffic signal to Exit 5, but go under the I-81 bridge and stay on US 11 northbound and you will get to the Exit 7 area without having to get on I-81. This will help you avoid the congestion of the Exit 7 ramps of Interstate 81. There will be TO LINDEN DR signage to guide you; follow it to Exit 7 as well as the Linden Drive area.
There are not any large highway or utility work zones in the immediate BMS vicinity, but motorists will encounter some as they approach Bristol. Coming from the southwest, work continues on widening Interstate 40 in Knoxville, both east and west of downtown. If you are passing through Knoxville on I-40 coming from Nashville or Chattanooga, you will go through two large work zones for this activity; if you are passing through Knoxville coming from Lexington, you will go through only one, and that one can be avoided by using the I-640 bypass. From the north, traffic on US 19 coming from the southwestern Virginia coalfield areas approaching Abingdon will encounter a bridge replacement project where US 19 crosses the North Fork of the Holston River that will be ongoing for the next several Race Weekends. Work is almost complete on the replacement of the Interstate 77 bridges over the New River south of Wytheville, Virginia; this project should be completed before the spring 2007 Race Weekend. Please allow extra time for delays in these work zones if your travel route takes you through these areas.
More about Traffic and Directions
This is definitely one of those tracks I refer to in Race Ready that pays to have a detailed map of the area. Get one that shows the state highways and if you can find one that has private roads listed also. From what I could tell there are many back roads to & from Bristol to the interstates. Parking is plentiful, but not necessarily nearby. Cars are parked as far as 5 miles from the track and fans walk. Also, the track itself seems to sit on a hill. To enter the track, you have to walk up a fairly steep grade.
Traffic is brutal, as expected. Once you make it to the interstate, people say you fly. Getting out of the parking lots is the killer. If going for only the day, park as far as you think you want to walk to the track. REMEMBER, TURN YOUR CAR AROUND AND FACE YOUR CAR FACING HOW YOU NEED TO LEAVE. Select a location that points you in the right direction without making left turns or U-turns. In many locations, left turns and U-turns are prohibited before or after the race, forcing motorists to make long detours or pass through race traffic control points more than once. For instance if you are coming from south of the track do not go past the track and park north of it. You will have to go thru double the traffic to get back south.
Found the item below on a message board. It tells you how they will funnel you out of the speedway from certain parking areas.
DURING events, several alternate routes planned by city, county and state law enforcement agencies and civil engineers offer ways around the heaviest traffic.
Most of the new, free parking lots are located adjacent to Hwy. 394, so most of the routes funnel traffic to 394.
Bristol Motor Speedway property is accessed by three multi-purpose entrances: the North Entrance, South Entrance, and the Bristol Dragway (Hwy. 394) Entrance. During NHRA events, most guests will use this entrance to park free on Bristol Dragway/Bristol Motor Speedway grounds. During NASCAR events, public parking on the grounds is accessible only from the Bristol Dragway Entrance. The North and South Entrances are accessible only with parking permits issued by Bristol Motor Speedway and state issued handicap placards. Bristol Motor Speedway has purchased property and developed satellite parking lots on Hwy. 394, and all parking in these lots is free, with free shuttle service to the speedway. Fees are charged for tent and motor home camping at the Bristol Dragway. Please note that on property not owned by BMS, parking fees will be charged.
North Entrance: Turn 2. A new road will open for the August race weekend for vehicles with permits to use the North Entrance.
Cars will not be allowed to exit North or South Entrances for 45 minutes after NASCAR races to allow pedestrians leaving the grandstands to cross Hwy. 11E safely.
Note: No turns at Exide Drive (first traffic light north of BMS North Entrance on the Hwy. 11E).
South Entrance: Turn 3. Permit Parking Only.
Exiting the South Entrance: Left lanes will turn south toward Johnson City. Access to I-81 by Hwy. 381 (State of Franklin Road) to I-181. Right lanes will turn north toward Bristol, access to I-81 by Hwy. 11E and I-381.
Note: No turns at Exide Drive (first traffic light north of BMS North entrance on Hwy. 11E). Exide Drive will be one-way outbound after events.
Bristol Dragway Entrance: During NASCAR events, permits are required for entry at the Dragway (Hwy. 394) Entrance. Only tour buses and vehicles with permits will be admitted through the Dragway Entrance. BMS Camping Entrance (motor home and tent permits required) also accessible with North VIP, North Wheelchair Accessible, and Hospitality Parking Permits.
Exiting the Bristol Dragway Entrance: Left lanes will turn north toward Bristol and US 421. Access to I-81 via Hwy. 394 to U.S. 421 with signs directing to I-81 at Exit 5 in Bristol and Exit 17 in Abingdon. Right lanes will turn south toward Hwy. 11E and Hwy. 37. Signs direct to I-81 from either route.
Several lots offering FREE public parking are available on Hwy. 394, and BMS provides FREE SHUTTLE service from these lots, located near the intersection of White Top Road and at the Bristol, Tenn., Multi-Purpose Park.
Any traffic north of the Speedway going south on Hwy. 11E should turn at Exide Drive. Access I-81 two ways: (1) take Exide Drive away from the Speedway, turn right at Bethel Road, right at Carden Hollow Road, right at Hwy. 126, left at 11W to I-81; or (2) Exide Drive to Hwy. 37, to I-81.
Note: Northbound Volunteer Parkway traffic will not be allowed to turn left onto Exide Drive
PARKING
The single largest parking change in the parking plans from previous spring Race Weekends is the removal of parking from the grass on the westbound side of Highway 394 between the Dragway Entrance and White Top Road.
FROM LAIDBACKRACING.COM Across from the South Entrance off of Hwy 11E is a neighborhood. Lots of private parking there. Off of 394 on White Top Road is the speedway free parking. Across from that on White Top is a neighborhood with parking. Also, fans park along side of Hwy 394 on the side of the road....We ALWAYS see cars parked on the side of the road (off the road) on Hwy 394. From the exit off of hwy 11 almost up to White Top on the opposite side of the road from the dragstrip...the same side of the road as the free parking lot). then right past the entrance to the dragstrip people park on the same side of 394 as the dragstrip...then even use their 4 wheel drive vehicles to drive to the top of the small hills.
Major Parking not owned by BMS (Fee charged):
Bos' Landing - For reservations and a map please phone 423/391-0972.
Finish Line Parking - For reservation phone 423/646-5977
FROM THE SPEEDWAY: Be careful of where you park when you get to the speedway. Plan how you will exit the racetrack and select your parking location, if you can, based on that. Because of increased security, vehicles parked in and around the track in no-parking zones will be towed immediately.
POST-RACE: LEAVING BMS
All of these routes will have signage. There are eight signed "drain" routes that will carry traffic from the BMS area back to Interstates 26 and 81:
(1) south on US 11E to I-26 and I-81 at Tennessee I-81 Exit 57;
(2) south on the US 11E "contraflow" lane (available to motorists exiting South Entrance and some westbound White Top Road areas only) towards I-26 and Tennessee I-81 Exit 57; (3, 4) west on Tennessee State Route 394 through Blountville to I-81 Tennessee I-81 Exit 66 or Exit 69;
(5) north on Bethel Drive from Exide Drive to Carden Hollow Road to Tennessee State Route 126 to US 11W and thence to I-81 Tennessee I-81 Exit 74;
(6) north on US 11E to I-381 to I-81 Virginia I-81 Exit 3 in Bristol;
(7) east on Tennessee Highway 394 to US 421, then left on US 421, following the signs to Virginia I-81 Exit 5;
(8) east on Highway 394 to US 421, then right on US 421 to Route 44 and on to I-81 Virginia I-81 Exit 17 in Abingdon. All of these routes are extensively signed with TO 81 signage for guidance.
A ninth drain route directs cars only from the Dragway, White Top Road, and Sportsway Drive areas to Johnson City via US 19E through the Chinquapin area and Elizabethton. MORE
Shuttle Service
Shuttle service is offered at various points around the Speedway, including the Blue Ox Campground area. Look for Shuttle Stop signs to access. There is a Shuttle Stop at the Free Speedway parking on Hwy 394. We camp on that side off White Top and drive the LBT right up to the Shuttle stop.
GREEN FLAG FROM US: Without a doubt, BMS has the BEST shuttle service we have ever seen anywhere! It is organized and well coordinated. We stood in line maybe 15 minutes to load on the bus for the August race (less for the spring race). In under 10 minutes we were dropped off at the shuttle stop in the free parking lot on Hwy 394. They have special lanes for the shuttles only.
Bristol Motor Speedway Seating
There are no bad seats at Bristol. HOWEVER, in the turns no matter high or how low you are, you can't see the cars in the turns because of the banking. If you are to the left or right of the turns it's better but you still can't see the cars when they are right in front of you.
You can see the whole track no matter how low you are on the front & back stretch BUT remember the lower you are the louder it is. Bristol reminded me of a Roman Coliseum.
In the old days we used to say: THE HIGH THE SEAT THE BETTER THE VIEW. That was when the grandstands went up maybe to row 30 and there were no towers above that. However this is simply not true anymore with grandstands & towers that go up 5 to 10 stories. You only need to sit high enough to see the whole track. After that it is a waste of money, energy & time because you are getting further away from the track. I have been on the top row of some towers and could not tell whose car was whose. I went down to the lower grandstand and sat where I could see the whole track and the view was a helluva lot better & THE SEATS CHEAPER!
Most of the seating were the new aluminum bench seating. Standard amount of room like most tracks - NOT ENOUGH!
Kulwicki Terrace & Kulwicki Tower (the higher rows), Rusty Wallace Tower had real seats, the plastic high tech stuff that doesn't get hot or cold. Plenty of room underneath. Cup holder
FROM RACEMAMA: For the spring race all of Wallace and Kulwicki (except what is under the suites) are in the sun ALL day.
Earnhardt, Johnson, Yarborough and Petty Terrace had real seats, the plastic high tech stuff that doesn't get hot or cold. Plenty of room underneath.
And on the front stretch, the Allisons & Pearson Terrace had the real seats. Plenty of room underneath. Cup holder
The Waltrip Tower had bench seats all the way up.
All sections called Grandstands have bench seats. One word of advice about those bench seats....you will fight for you 18 inches of space!
FROM RACEMAMA: For the spring race all the frontstretch, all of turn 4 and most of turn 3 (except what is under the suites) are in the sun ALL day.
Earnhardt, Petty, Yarborough and Johnson are in the shade all day for the spring race except the lower rows in the early afternoon but all of them are in the shade about halfway thru the race.
One bad point about these new high tech seats...the automatically fly into the upright position when you stand up so if you have a seat cushion attach it to your seat somehow or you will be picking it up from under your seat all day.
About the support beams:
FROM SPENCER E: At Bristol the support beams for the Wallace tower are in ROW 12 of the Kulwicki Terrace. I figured that this might be a pertinent piece of information since many folks that attend Bristol have to go to outside sources for seats and row 12 is lower than most would probably think. Just last weekend I bought Busch tickets off ebay (since they were well below face as opposed to paying full price from the track) that were in row 16. I was familiar with BMS but figured the support beams were higher up!
FROM RACEMAMA: We sit in Earnhardt Terrace row 13, seats on the aisle. The support beams aren't in our way. I think it depends how high up you are and where in the row. The beams would be in the way if we were in the middle of the row.
About the elevators:
FROM BETH W: Just a little FYI about the new Rusty Wallace Tower seats at Bristol we just experienced this last weekend. If you have seats up in this section, the only way you can get a elevator to get to the top(actually to the Kuwicki Mezz. area) on race day is from the ground level ONLY!!!!! After we went into just any gate after hiking up hill and dale to get to the track, we went to the elevator on that level and waited and waited only to be told they were running the elevator from the ground level and it would not stop on any other levels to pick fans up.
FROM RACEMAMA: This is true for the Earnhardt Terrace also. I am assuming it is true for all the elevators for terrace seating. Once the race begins however you can use the elevator to go down 1 flight to the bathrooms.
CONCESSIONS
Grandstands had a load of concessions stands located all along them. High price but it is your own fault for not bringing what you need because Bruton's let's us bring whatever you want into the track. Coolers no higher than 14" and no bottles...
(Funny story: The entire weekend of the August 2005 race the wide screen TV's kept showing an ad:
JFG Coffee and Bristol Motor Speedway, always something brewing...
BMS welcomes JFG into the speedway family
....well my sister wanted a cup of coffee but there wasn't any at ANY of the concession stands. I guess JFG's big money for being a new sponsor didn't include actually selling their product! Or maybe they are the red headed step children of the family)
RESTROOMS
Bruton is a liar when he said that his tracks had more toilets than some race tracks had seating.
One thing I've heard about this track was that it lacked restrooms. Lines for the restrooms reached back to the stands, and wrapped around and through lines for other concessions. I was told that it is sometimes easier to leave the speedway, and get a pass out ticket & find a port-o-john with a smaller line.
The first time we went to Bristol we had tickets in the Kulwicki Tower & there were only 9 stalls in the restrooms I found on that level. Once again the more expensive the ticket the fewer bathrooms! The Tower above us cost even more and there were no bathrooms! They had to come down to our level to use the rest rooms.
Earnhardt Terrace however had many bathrooms as does Junior Johnson.
STAFF
Staff was extremely helpful. What I liked is this one girl I asked for the way to my seats pulled out a copy of the seating chart. Unlike RIR she even knew what grandstand she was standing in to be helpful.
Independent Vendors
Many independent vendors at Bristol. They are in the campgrounds. I found vendors listed with the amenities at many of the campgrounds so look for those generic white tents for the souvenir deals.
GREEN FLAG FROM US: While at Bristol we found a ton of independent vendors. They are next to the moat in the All-American Campground (423-279-0031) outside of the Darrell Waltrip Tower & the Earhart Campground, (423) 764-4406, behind the Kulwicki Tower. Also located at Gentry's (423-538-5975 OR 423-538-6124) and Bill Gaines Campground.
All down Hwy. 11 on the opposite side of the street from the speedway's south entrance are vendors. In every single business along this route for about a mile in either direction are vendors. I guess that they figure they aren't making money from people coming to their businesses they might as well make it from vendors. Also at the BP right next to the south entrance on the back stretch right on 11.
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY 2010 SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 18 -
9:00 AM 
Spectator Gates Open
10:00 AM to 10:50 AM O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 Practice (trucks)
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM UNOH Perfect Storm 150 Practice (modifieds)
Noon to 1:30 PM O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 Final Practice (trucks)
2:45 PM UNOH Perfect Storm 150 Qualifying (modifieds)
4:35 PM O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 Qualifying (trucks)
5:35 PM UNOH Perfect Storm 150 Driver Introductions
6:00 PM Start of the UNOH Perfect Storm 150
7:30 PM O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 Driver Introductions
8:00 PM Start of the O'Reilly Auto Parts 200
Thursday, August 19
1:00 PM Food City Family Race Night (State Street, Downtown Bristol)
7:00 PM TBA
9:00 PM Ford NASCAR Transporter Parade (Hwy. 11E, Bristol Mall to Speedway)
6:15 PM to 9:30 PM Petty Driving Experience Ride-Alongs
10:00 PM to 11:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Haulers Enter Track
Friday, August 20 - Food City 250 Nationwide Race and Sharpie Qualifying
9:00 AM Spectator Gates Open
9:00 AM to 11:50 AM Food City 250 Practice (Nationwide Series)
Noon to 2:00 PM IRWIN Tools Night Race Practice (Sprint Cup Series)
2:45 PM to 3:30 PM IRWIN Tools Night Race Final Practice (Sprint Cup Series)
4:10 PM Sharpie Qualifying for Food City 250 (Nationwide Series)
5:40 PM Sharpie Qualifying for IRWIN Tools Night Race (Sprint Cup Series)
7:30 PM Food City 250 Driver Introductions
8:00 PM Start of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Food City 250
Saturday, August 21 - IRWIN Tools Night Race
10:00 AM NASCAR Foundation/Speedway Children's Charities Track Walk
1:00 PM Spectator Gates Open
7:00 PM IRWIN Tools Night Race Driver Introductions
7:30 PM Start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race
SPEED Pit Road Party Zone – The elusive Bristol Pit Pass. You’ve wanted it, now you can get it… and much more. From food to celebrity appearances to inside-the-walls action, you can live the IRWIN Tools Night Race from the pits – for the first time ever!
appearances by Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle, along with Speed’s Kyle Petty, John Roberts and Rutledge Wood. READ MORE.
Hospitality 2010
Bristol Club No price listed that usually means expensive! MORE
AMP Energy Club - Dale Earnhardt is scheduled for an appearance in the AMP Energy Club before the IRWIN Tools Night Race Saturday, Aug. 21.
The AMP Energy Club features an exclusive member’s-only gift pack, a Saturday track tour, door prizes,AMP Energy Club at Bristol entertainment, a souvenir program, and NASCAR celebrity appearances. Earnhardt, who is doing double-duty race weekend by taking part in both the Food City 250 and the IRWIN Tools Night Race, will be the featured guest.
Individual hospitality seating in the AMP Energy Club is available for the Food City 250 on Friday, Aug. 20, the IRWIN Tools Night Race or in a weekend package. A weekend package is $270 per person. Saturday only is $180 and Friday only is $110.
Rusty's Pit Stop - • Ticket in Wallace Tower 450.00
• Access to Rusty's Pit Stop during Nationwide and Cup races (Fully enclosed and climate controlled)
• $25 food voucher (per weekend)
• Appearance by Rusty Wallace during the event weekend *subject to availability/schedule
• Cash Bar
• Restrooms
• Flat screen TVs
WHAT TO DO...
DRIVER'S APPEARANCES
Appearances are posted from a week before race day up until a few days before. Many times there isn't advanced notice, go by the souvenir haulers and look for the signs. (Go on Friday if possible)
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Sam Hornish will be signing autographs at the Penske souvenir hauler.
Aug. 16 Speedway Children's Charities Golf Tournamnet
the fun actually starts on Monday at Tri-Cities Golf Club with what is one of the largest fundraisers each year for Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.
Before teeing off, players will be treated to lunch from Outback at 11 a.m. The tournament, which features a four-person captain’s choice format, begins at noon with a shotgun start.
Companies can purchase a team, as well as sponsor a hole for $675, or for $600 without a hole sponsorship. A sponsorship includes the company’s sign on the tee or hole, four players, cart and green fee and a goody bag, along with lunch, dinner (provided by Levy Restaurants) and beverages.
Individuals who would like to participate in the tournament may sign up for $150. This includes one player with cart and green fees, as well as a goody bag, lunch, dinner and beverages.
Players will have the chance to win $5,000 on the hole-in-one challenge, along with other prizes.
To sign up for the tournament, please contact Barbara Kaiser-Pigg at (423) 989-6975 or via email at barbara@bristolmotorspeedway.com.
Food City Family Race Night August 2010
August 18, 2010 Food City Family Race Night event is also planned for Knoxville, TN. Knoxville Expo Center 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM Advance Tickets $5 at Food City. $6 at the event. Children 12 and under FREE - DRIVERS APPEARANCES ARE NOW LISTED website
August 19, 2010 The Food City Race Night will be held at STATE STREET. from 4:00 - 9:00pm/et. Admission is free; no ticket required. [List of drivers will continue to grow as confirmation is received.] For complete list of events, entertainment and attractions, visit the Food City Racing. DRIVERS APPEARANCES ARE NOW LISTED website
NASCAR NEXTEL CUP TRANSPORTER PARADE FALL RACE Thursday evening, Aug. 19
DOWN VOLUNTEER PARKWAY, FROM DOWNTOWN BRISTOL (BRISTOL MALL) TO SPEEDWAY at 9:00 Thursday after Food City Family Race Night. Parade route is 10 miles long to the end at the speedway. Fireworks will explode high overhead from four points (Food City on Euclid Ave., Executive Park, Avoca Little League Baseball Park, and Tri Cities Auto Parts across from the Speedway) along the route.
FROM US: They come down Hwy 11 and turn in the South Entrance.
Racing Memorabilia Auction Aug. 19.
A number of race teams and drivers have donated items for auction, including sheet metal, autographed shirts, jackets and diecasts from drivers such as Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne. Sheet metal from one of Danica Patrick’s Nationwide cars also will be up for bids.
The boxing gloves used by Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Elliott Sadler, Scott Speed, Clint Bowyer and Joey Logano during Food City Race Night’s Wii Boxing competition in March and autographed by each driver are up for bid.
A helmet signed by all the legends in March’s EZ Seed Showdown, including David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and Harry Gant, also is part of the auction, along with a Tim McGraw-autographed guitar.
The auction is held on the third floor of the Bruton Smith Building at BMS. A preview of the items up for auction begins at 5 p.m. with bidding on the NASCAR collectables starting at 6 p.m.
The Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a non-profit organization, which benefits children’s agencies in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, has raised more than $5 million over the past 13 years.
Richard Petty Driving Experience Bristol Ride-Alongs -Speedway Children's Charities
The Richard Petty Driving Experience Ride-Alongs will be available Thursday, Aug. 19 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Participants will be outfitted in a fire suit before taking to the track where they'll get to ride around NASCAR's most popular track for three laps. Cost of the rides is $149 per person.
Speedway Children's Charities Track Walk Saturday, August 21, 2010
Join us for the Speedway Children's Charities Track Walk prior to the IRWIN Tools Night Race and walk where the legends have driven! Cost is $25 in advance or $35 on race weekend. Kids 16 and under are free with a paying adult. Click HERE to pre-register or visit us at the Speedway Children's Charities booth located between the Speedway and Dragway along the creek to register race weekend.
Scotts Turf Builder Cornhole Classic Aug 20-21
Once again, BMS will be offering plenty of fantastic prizes to those who display the finest of bag-tossing skills during the Aug. 20-21 tournament. Qualifiers will be eligible to win cash, as well as 2011 season tickets for Bristol Motor Speedway, along with Food City 500 tickets.
The tournament’s grand champion will win $500, as well as suite seats for the 2011 IRWIN Tools Night Race, a free camping space, trophies and have their names announced during pre-race ceremonies for this year’s IRWIN Tools Night Race.
Cash also will be award to second through fourth places in the tournament with the overall runner-up receiving suite seats for the 2011 Food City 500, along with a free camping space.
There will be four qualifying tournaments held Aug 20-21 with the championship taking place Saturday afternoon. Tournament times are 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-5 p.m. Aug. 20 and 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-5 p.m. Aug. 21. The top two teams from each tournament will then play from 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m.
Entry fee for each member of the four-person team is $40. Each player will receive a t-shirt as well as a goody bag. To register, please visit www.bristol.speedwaycharities.com.
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY FAN OUTREACH SCHEDULE
ALL-AMERICAN CAMPGROUND (Located at 251 White Top Road within walking distance to the track.)
Wednesday, August 18th - Saturday, August 21st
24-hours - Hospitality Tent Open
Saturday, August 21st
8:00AM - Free Breakfast Served
9:00AM – Worship Service
Guest Speaker - David Wilson
Special Music - Wilson Family
AVOCA CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Located 1½ miles from race track)
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service
*Shuttle Service for race fans who park at the church to and from the track.
BLUE OX CAMPGROUND (Located next to the Drag Strip)
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service
*Shuttle service available for people with disabilities to and from the track.
BRISTOL CAMPGROUND (Located on 100 Sportsway Drive)
Thursday, August 19th
7:00PM - Special Concert
COMMON GROUND CHURCH (Located across the street from the BMS sign)
Thursday, August 19th – Saturday, August 21st
ALL Day - Hospitality Center Open
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service
DRAG STRIP TENT (Located at the main entrance off of Route 394)
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service
*Shuttle service available for people with disabilities to and from the track.
EARHART EAST CAMPGROUND (Located directly beside the North Entrance to the Speedway.)
Thursday, August 19th
7:00PM - Concert
Saturday, August 21st
10:00AM - Worship Service
11:00AM - Worship Service
*Shuttle service available for people with disabilities to and from the track.
EARHART WEST CAMPGROUND (Located at 2744 Highway 11E)
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service
*Shuttle service available for people with disabilities to and from the track.
FARMER BOB’S CAMPGROUND (This is the closest campground to BMS at the Highway 394 entrance.)
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service with Special Music
*Shuttle service available for people with disabilities to and from the track.
HICK’S WHITE TOP & FAMILY CAMPGROUND (Located at Highway 394 & White Top Road)
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service
*Shuttle service available for people with disabilities to and from the track.
PEACEFUL VALLEY CAMPGROUND (Located around Gateway Baptist Church)
Thursday, August 19th – Saturday, August 21st
Meals are served throughout the three-day camping experience. Also, shuttle service to and from the track is provided to campers.
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service with Special Guest Speaker
*Shuttle service available for people with disabilities to and from the track.
POLE POSITION TENT (Located adjacent to Bristol Dragway)
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service
RACEDAY CENTER CAMPGROUND (Located across the street from the North entrance to the Speedway on Raceday Center Drive.)
Thursday, August 19th – Saturday, August 21st
All Day - Hospitality Tent Open
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service with Guest Speaker, John Earnhardt, Dale Sr.’s first cousin.
SHADRACK CAMPGROUND (Located on Volunteer Parkway)
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service
THUNDER VALLEY CAMPGROUND (Located on Volunteer Parkway)
Saturday, August 21st
9:00AM - Worship Service
OTHER STUFF TO DO
Walk of Fame at Bristol Motor Speedway: Leave your mark at Bristol Motor Speedway by having your personal message engraved into a paver in the new sidewalk along Volunteer Parkway. Cost of the pavers are $149 and messages can be two lines up to sixteen characters on each. Spaces and symbols count as a character. Once your block has been placed in the sidewalk a picture will be sent by email along with your square's exact location. For more information visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com or contact Barbara Kaiser. Pavers will be on sale in front of the old ticket office during the August race weekend.
JUMBOTRON MESSAGES Want to put a message to a loved one on the Jumbotron during pre-race of the Sharpie 500? For a donation of $250 to Speedway Children's Charities you can do just that. Messages can also be placed on the marquee along Volunteer parkway for $50.
The Limited Edition Doug Shealy painting of Bristol Motor Speedway also will be available during August race week. The detail in the print will amaze you and for $25 you can take one home with you. Prints will be sold in front of the old ticket office in the souvenir trailer lot.
SPEEDTV STAGE
The Speed TV Stage will be outside of Turn 4
SPEEDWAY WORLD
You can find the Speedway World located in the Bruton Smith Building located on the Hwy. 11E side of the Speedway.
THE BRISTOL EXPERIENCE
A totally free way to experience the wonders of Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway. The interactive fan zone features a theatre, computer simulated games, and a wide variety of Bristol-themed racing displays. The Bristol Experience also can be found in the Bruton Smith Building.
ATTRACTIONS
Abingdon Vineyard and Winery - Abingdon, VA (276) 623-1255
Appalachian Caverns - Bristol, TN (423) 323-2337
Appalachian Ghost Walks - Unicoi, TN (423) 943-6477
Belmont Lanes - Bristol, TN (423) 764-5135
Birthplace of Country Music Alliance - Bristol, TN (423) 990-2262
Cinemark Tinseltown USA - Bristol, VA (276) 669-0588
Cooper's Gem Mine - Blountville, TN (423) 323-5680
Corner Pocket Billiards - Bristol, TN (423) 764-8888
Tilt - Kingsport, TN (423) 247-5321
Lazer Venture - Kingsport, TN (423) 246-6927
Rocky Mount Museum - Piney Flats, TN (423) 538-7396
William King Regional Arts Center - Abingdon, VA (276) 628-5005
Golf
Big Hollow Par III - Blountville, TN (423) 323-6615
Cattails At Meadowview - Kingsport, TN (423) 578-6622
Cedars Golf Course - Bristol, TN (423) 989-0054
Clear Creek Golf Club - Bristol, VA (276) 466-4833
Graysburg Hill Golf Course - Chuckey, TN (423) 234-8061
Steele Creek Golf & Driving - Bristol, TN (423) 764-6411
Tri-Cities Golf Club - Blountville, TN (423) 323-4178
Warriors Path State Park Golf - Kingsport, TN (423) 323-4990
The Bristol Caverns right next to the speedway. Paved, well lighted walkways wind through the vaulted chambers and along the banks of the ancient Underground River that carved these remarkable caverns from the hard core of the earth 200 to 400 million years ago. In the frontier days, Indians used the Underground River as an attack and escape route in their raids on settlers. Stalactites and stalagmites, some larger than tree trunks and others smaller than straws, will fascinate you. (423) 878-2011 Located 8 miles from I-81 1157 Bristol Caverns Pkwy, (423) 878-2011. Guided tours about ever 20 minutes. Open March 15 through November 15, 9 a.m.-5p.m.; November 16 through March 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open Sundays at 12:30 p.m. year-round.
Go to the Appalachian Ghost Walks in nearby Unicoi. They bring the region's Cherokee Indian and Native American, Frontier, Revolutionary War, and Civil War history to life for you as well as the younger generation with their historic walking tours suitable for all ages. These "lantern-led" guided ghost walks are operated by professionally Certified Ghost Hunters with a unique blend of science, history, and folklore yet maintaining a strong commitment to historical accuracy. While attending the tours, you will learn about Native American Ghosts, Civil War Ghosts, and Revolutionary War Ghosts.
Remember that Bristol Motor Speedway is in the heart of the Mountains. Take a scenic drive and enjoy Mother Nature!
Andrew Johnson National Historical Site - Located 14 miles from I-81, 101 North College Street, Greenville, TN 37744-1088, (423) 639-3711. Home of the nation's 17th President. Includes the Visitor Center, Museum and Tailor Shop and the National Cemetery which includes the burial site of President Johnson. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Closed New Years Day, Thanksgiving
MRO ~~ CHAPEL SERVICES AT THE TRACK
Outreach Locations ~~ All-American Campground, Chapel On Wheels (Earhart East), Thunder Valley Campground, Bristol Campground, Finish Line Campground, Shadrack's Campground, Hill & Dale Campground, Farmer Bob's Campground, Earhart West Campground, Hicks Campground
MISCELLANEOUS INFO
Also, wear ear protection. This is a 1/2 mile track with stands built all the way around for 190,000 fans which amplifies the sound.
UPDATE FROM US: Noise wasn't a problem in the seats we had BUT we were up high. When I went down lower though it was bad.
Wear good walking shoes. Hiking boots are even better because of the inclines. Also, I would bring a wagon or one of those shopping carts on 2 wheels. This place is hilly & steep. It is better to pull your stuff in a wagon then have to carry it. Bring a bicycle chain & lock to locked it up while you are in the track.
UPDATE FROM US: OH MY!!! This place is sooooo hilly. I had to walk more here than at Talladega which is a 2.66 mile track! WEAR GOOD HIKING SHOES & TAKE THE WAGON!!
Sonic Tag-A-Kid Program Featured At BMS
The Tag-A-Kid Program is designed to reunite parents and their children should they become separated at the Speedway.
Each Nationwide information booth at Bristol Motor Speedway will be equipped with armbands for children. MORE INFO
Elevators:
Elevator 1 - Gate #2 (Pearson, Suites 176-186)
Elevator 2 - Gate #18 (Allison, Suites 166-175, 263-270)
Elevator 3 - Gate #16 (Allison, Suites 156-165, 254-262)
Elevator 4 - Gate #14 (Waltrip, Suites 101-135)
Elevator 5 - Gate #10 (Waltrip, Suites 101-135)
Elevator 6 - Gate #8 (Earnhardt Terrace, Suites 401-404, 501-504)
Elevator 7 - Gate #7 (Earnhardt Terrace, Suites 405-421, 505-532)
Elevator 8 - Gate #7 (Earnhardt Terrace, Suites 405-421, 505-532)
Elevator 9 - Gate #4 (Kulwicki)
Elevator 10 - Gate #3 (Kulwicki)
Fan Care Locations
Grandstand:
Yarborough - Inside Gate 7 (Section A)
Allison - Concourse Level (Section F)
Kulwicki - Mezzanine 2 (Section H)
Waltrip - Lower Level (Section P)
Grounds:
Elevator Tower 9/Gate 4
Across from JFG Hospitality Village
All-American Campground Bridge
What you can bring into the grandstands:
In addition to permitting one 14-inch cooler, fans now may bring one carry-in bag only. That item also may not exceed the 14-inch size limit. All carry-in items will be searched prior to entry into Speedway grandstands. It is recommended that fans make their way into the gates at least one hour prior to green flag to allow proper time for inspection of these items.
NATIONWIDE GUEST SERVICES
These folks have the answer to everything Bristol. A number of blue Nationwide Guest Services tents are located through the speedway property as well as inside the grandstand area. If you need any type of information you should visit one of the Guest Services tents, located at the Bruton Smith Building, at the North entrance of the speedway, at the Earhart bridge (inside the old ticket office), in Lot E, at Gate 7, at the All-American Campground bridge and at the Dragway Entrance. Grandstand locations are in Waltrip “A”, Junior Johnson “F”, Petty “D” and Pearson “G”.
ADA Accessible Parking
Anyone planning to use state-issued placards should send copies of the permit and the supporting documentation in advance, along with an application form, so that the Events Department can send advance passes for appropriate parking lots. The documentation required is the same reviewed by law enforcement officials at the entrances to handicap lots. MORE INFO
Bristol Handicapped Parking Applications (PDF File)....MORE
Fans needing accessible parking are required to have a State issued placard / tags or a BMS issued parking permit. Our accessible areas are highly monitored to ensure that each vehicle parking in these locations is valid and registered to a person in the vehicle.
If your seats are located on the frontstretch side of the track, enter the Dragway entrance located on St. Rt. 394. If your seats are located on the backstretch of the track, enter the South entrance located on Hwy. 11E. Please have your placard and identification available for inspection upon entering these entrances. Remember our accessible areas are on a first- come, first-served basis, so plan to arrive early to obtain a parking place.
ADA Accessible Wheelchair Parking
If you need to obtain a wheelchair space for any of our events please contact Becky Fulwider at 423/989-6931
New Express Suttle - North Lot, Gate 1
A new Express Shuttle connecting the North Lot handicap accessible parking area and Gate 1 in Lot A will make its debut during the spring Food City 500-Sharpie MINI 300 weekend. The Express Shuttle will operate continuously on all three event days, before, during and immediately after the races. One ramp previously used by pedestrians will be designated for Express Shuttle carts only, and only for special needs guests. Carts using the ramp will be restricted to the shuttle path and will not travel to any areas of the property beyond the shuttle path.
