BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY TRACK NEWS
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 the Sprint Cup Series that utilizes two pit roads with 22 pit stalls on the frontstrect and 21 on the backstretch. 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.
There are six race tracks the Sprint Cup Series currently races at that #48-Jimmie Johnson has not won a Sprint Cup race at:
Bristol: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2004 and 3/2009
Michigan: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Infineon: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 4th in 6/2009
Chicago: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 2nd in 7/2004 & 7/2008
Watkins Glen: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Homestead: 0 for 9 with a best finish of 2nd in 11/2004
plus Johnson ran five races at Rockingham Speedway and didn't win there.(11-22-2009)
The NTL heads back to the Earhart Campground at Bristol: After hosting one of the most successful tailgating events of the 2009 inaugural season, The National Tailgating League is heading back to the Earhart Campground of Bristol, TN for an even bigger and better experience! The National Tailgating League (The NTL) presented by Budweiser announced today that Bristol, Tenn., will host the NTL?s second stop of ten on this year?s NTL NASCAR tour, hosting the campgrounds cornhole tournaments and more new exciting elements for our fans. Held in the heart of the Earhart campground, The NTL will host various tournaments starting Friday March 19th through Sunday the 21st, providing race related prizes and cash purse tournaments. More info at TheNTL.com.(NTL)(3-18-2010)
Local Business Will Help NASCAR Fans Take A Trip Down Memory Lane: Time machines. Imaginations have run wild for years about the possibilities of vehicles capable to transport people back in time. One Bristol business has found the solution and will have 12 of those machines ready for drivers like Cale Yarborough and David Pearson to race in the March 20 Scotts EZ Seed Showdown at Bristol Motor Speedway. Okay, so they technically are not time machines, but Modern D-Signs, located on Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, has created a few looks for race cars that definitely will remind people of NASCAR's past. Kurt Kummer, owner of Modern D-Signs, and his staff have taken USAR Pro Cup machines and transformed them into the cars of yesteryear. Each car features one of the paint schemes made famous by the legendary driver behind the wheel for the event. The expert crew at Modern D-Signs can wrap one race car during an eight-hour day. They can go faster if they are pushed, but prefer to limit themselves to one a day. That's a long way from when cars were hand lettered and painted. But although turning back the hands of time to make these cars look similar to their predecessors of yesteryear may be more reliant on technology these days, it still stirs emotion. When Kummer's crew sees drivers like Harry Gant, Charlie Glotzbach and Dave Marcis piloting their works of art, the feeling of pride is obvious around the shop.
Race fans can see the work of Modern D-Signs as Bristol Motor Speedway takes a trip back in time during the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown. Tickets are available for Food City 500 weekend. A package, consisting of Ford Fan Friday qualifying (March 19), the Scotts Turf Builder 300 and the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown (March 20) and the March 21 Food City 500, is available, starting at only $99. For fans who can only attend the Food City 500, single day tickets may be purchased, starting at $93. Tickets for Saturday's doubleheader start at just $45 while fans can watch Ford Fan Friday qualifying for only $5, then attend Food City Race Night at BMS for free.(BMS PR)(3-18-2010)
Bristol has largest seating capacity of SMI tracks: Bristol Motor Speedway has the largest grandstand capacity of any of the Speedway Motorsports Inc. tracks, according to the company's annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bristol's seating capacity remained at 158,0000. Texas Motor Speedway, which was also at 158,000, now stands at 137,000 seats (not including the infield) after the removal of 21,000 seats. Charlotte Motor Speedway also has cut seats from 156,000 to 146,000. Six of the SMI tracks have the same seating capacity as a year ago: Bristol, Las Vegas (131,000), Atlanta (101,000), New Hampshire (96,000), Kentucky (69,000) and Infineon (47,000). Bristol ranks third among all NASCAR Sprint Cup tracks in seating capacity, behind Indianapolis (approximately 250,000) and Daytona (159,000).(Scene Daily)(3-16-2010)
Ticket's available for Bristol races: Tickets are available for Food City 500 weekend. A package, consisting of Ford Fan Friday qualifying (March 19), the Scotts Turf Builder 300 and the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown (March 20) and the March 21 Food City 500, is available, starting at only $99. For fans who can only attend the Food City 500, single day tickets may be purchased, starting at $93. Tickets for Saturday?s doubleheader start at just $45, while fans can watch Ford Fan Friday qualifying for only $5, then attend Food City Race Night at BMS for free. A season ticket package featuring nine events during the March and August NASCAR weekends starts at only $199. The package includes the two most popular Sprint Cup races in the sport, along with a pair of Nationwide events, a Camping Truck Series race, the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown, a Whelen Modified event, qualifying and Food City Race Night. For more information concerning tickets, please visit www.bristoltix.com or call the BMS ticket office at 423-BRISTOL (274-7865).(BMS)(3-10-2010)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin named Food City 500 grand marshal: World Wrestling Federation superstar "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has been named Grand Marshal for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 21, 2010. The 45-year-old Austin is a six-time WWF Champion, an Intercontinental and World Tag Team Champion, three-time Royal Rumble Match winner, King of the Ring winner and three-time WWE Championship at WrestleMania winner. Austin retired from professional wrestling in 2003. Always the entertainer, he turned his attention to acting. In 2010, he will be seen on the big screen starring opposite Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham and Jet Li in The Expendables. Tickets are available for race weekend and may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office toll-free at 1.866.415.4158 or bristolmotorspeedway.com.(BMS)(3-9-2010)
Jason Witten named Honorary Starter of Food City 500: Dallas Cowboy standout Jason Witten has been named the Honorary Starter for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway Sunday, March 21. The 6-foot-5, 263-pound Witten, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, is originally from Elizabethton, Tenn., just 15 minutes away from the World's Fastest Half-Mile. Witten, always excited about making a trip home, is looking forward to taking part in the Food City 500. The 27-year-old Witten was a standout at Elizabethton High School and was the USA Today Player of the Year in Tennessee in 2000 before signing with the University of Tennessee where he starred for three years. In 2001 Witten was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys and became an instant star. One of the premier tight ends in the NFL, Witten finished the 2009 season with 94 catches and 1,030 yards. Tickets are available for race weekend and may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office toll-free at 1.866.415.4158 or bristolmotorspeedway.com.(BMS)(3-9-2010)
Official Statement From BMS Regarding Jeff Byrd: Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced today President and General Manager Jeff Byrd has taken a leave of absence to undergo tests and treatment for a recently-discovered medical matter. It will prevent him from involvement in the upcoming Food City 500 weekend [March 19-21]. Byrd recently went through a series of tests and his doctors are encouraged that the condition is limited to one area and is treatable. ?I fully intend to be back on the job as soon as the doctors say it is ok,? said Byrd. ?I appreciate everyone?s thoughts and prayers and will miss being at the track for the Food City 500 weekend. I have said for years I have the best team in motorsports and things are in good hands.? Byrd and his family have asked for prayers and privacy at this time.(BMS)(3-2-2010
Bristol Motor Speedway adds more SAFER walls: Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced the addition of more than 160 feet of SAFER barriers. Track operations personnel extended SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) barriers at the exits of Turns 2 and 4. Work began last week and will be complete before NASCAR teams arrive for the Food City 500 weekend, March 19-21. ?We believe with these modifications, we will not only increase driver safety, but will also create a different transition at the exit of the turns,? said Jeff Byrd, BMS President and General Manager. ?While we don?t know exactly how this will impact the racing, the more confined racing area should create less elbow room and tighten up the racing groove at those points.? A deteriorating track surface forced officials in the summer of 2007 to put down a fresh layer of concrete and an additional four feet of width to the racing groove was part of the change. The modifications will eliminate some of that added room. ?Without question, this extra four feet added room and aided in creating three and, at times, even four-wide racing,? Byrd said. ?However, while it is breathtaking, many of our fans have responded that we went too far, in actuality, giving too much racing room to the greatest drivers in the world.? For more information concerning tickets, please visit www.bristoltix.com or call the BMS ticket office at 423-BRISTOL (274-7865).(BMS)(2-24-2010)
Four more drivers added to Bristol Legends race: Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced the addition of four more drivers to the lineup for the March 20 running of the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown. Dave Marcis, a veteran of 883 Cup Series races, and Tommy Houston, a mainstay of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will make their debuts in the exciting event which was a huge fan favorite a year ago. Jimmy Hensley, the Virginia Gentleman, also will make his first start in the race, while Phil Parsons returns after competing last season. The fans also will enjoy seeing Marcis' trademark wingtips once more. "I'll be wearing them," he said proudly. "I wore a pair when I ran my last cup race in Daytona in February 2002 and I'll have a pair on in Bristol." Cale Yarborough, Charlie Glotzbach, Jack Ingram and L.D. Ottinger were announced in August as the first 2010 Scotts EZ Seed Showdown competitors. The final four drivers will be announced at a later date.(Bristol PR)(1-28-2010)
BMS wins $397,000 tax case: A Nashville judge has ruled that Bristol Motor Speedway does not have to pay a $397,000 tax assessment from the state of Tennessee. Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle, in an order unsealed Friday, ruled in a dispute over money the racetrack brings in from the broadcast of NASCAR races. The speedway last year challenged the assessment, claiming the state Department of Revenue was illegally taxing the track. Speedway officials argued that television rights are intangible and that any money derived from the sale of them is not subject to Tennessee sales or business taxes. The suit also claimed the state wrongfully taxed the speedway for money it makes from mailing fees on tickets and from leasing space to vendors. Lyle wrote that the assessments "do not fall into the category of tangible personal property." The judge also ruled that "the relationship ... from the NASCAR agreement is more in the nature of a joint venture than contract of service by the (track) to NASCAR."(Kingsport Times News)(10-19-2009)
New title sponsor for Bristol fall race UPDATE: but been told Irwin Tools will replace Sharpie as the race title sponsor for next August's Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway and will be known as the Irwin Tools 500. Also, supposedly Irwin Tools does not know if it will sponsor a car/driver in 2010 [from the PR below, it does not sound like they will sponsor a car]. It currently serves as the primary sponsor for 11 Sprint Cup races on Roush Fenway Racing's #26 Ford that Jamie McMurray drives. That team will close up or move to Yates Racing in 2010, with either McMurray as the driver or another driver.
UPDATE: IRWIN Tools, a Newell Rubbermaid [also owns Sharpie] company and manufacturer and distributor of a broad line of professional hand tools and power tool accessories, announced that it will be the title sponsor of the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway beginning in 2010. While the event's new name is unique - the "IRWIN Tools Night Race" - the summer classic under the lights at Bristol will continue to be 500 grueling laps around the high banks of the .533-mile oval, one of NASCAR's most popular and storied facilities. A spectacle in sports since 1961, Bristol has had 55 consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sellouts, dating back to 1982. "We could not have constructed a better partnership than one between IRWIN Tools and Bristol Motor Speedway," said IRWIN President Neil Eibeler. "Like our many IRWIN products, Bristol leads the way in innovation, quality and ingenuity among NASCAR venues. We can't wait to see the blue and yellow colors of IRWIN Tools here for years to come. Our employees are thrilled and our customers will be waiting in anticipation to see nearly 160,000 fans in the stands next year for the first ?IRWIN Night Race at Bristol,' the most popular NASCAR race of the year." IRWIN Tools takes over the entitlement from Sharpie, a sister company under the Newell Rubbermaid umbrella, which has sponsored the race since 2001.
"We're very happy to keep the Night Race in the Newell Rubbermaid family," said Jeff Byrd, President and General Manager of BMS, NASCAR's fastest half-mile. "We have gotten to know the IRWIN Tools team and their desire is to be the best technological company in the tool business. We feel we have the best facility in our sport so pairing up the two can only result in success. We look forward to a wonderful partnership and future together." The IRWIN Tools name has been a mainstay in NASCAR since 2003, serving as a primary car sponsor for Roush Fenway Racing. During that span, drivers Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray both won races in IRWIN Tools Fords while Busch carried IRWIN to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship in 2004. "It's been a great ride with Roush Fenway Racing," said Eric Pinkham, Newell Rubbermaid's Vice President, Sponsorship and Event Marketing. "They clearly helped us put IRWIN Tools on the map and we appreciate what they've done for the IRWIN brand. Now it's time for a new chapter for IRWIN and we can't wait to get started on the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol." The 2010 IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol will be on Saturday, August 21. For more information, call 1-800-GO-IRWIN or visit www.irwin.com.(BMS)(8-22-2009)
Full Driver song list for Bristol: Bristol Motor Speedway will give fans something different during drive interoductions Saturday night. They'll play music for each driver that the driver has selected. Some of the choices are interesting from those older rock n' roll classics to more recent tunes. Here's the playlist for ALL of the drivers:
Tony Stewart: Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba''
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: AC/DC's "Thunderstruck''
Jimmie Johnson: AC/DC's Thunderstruck
Mark Martin: AC/DC's "For Those About To Rock''
Jeff Gordon: Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up''
Jeff Burton: Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle''
Carl Edwards: House of Pain's "Jump Around''
Matt Kenseth: "Godsmack's "The Enemy''
Scott Speed: "Black Eyed Peas' "Boom, Boom, Pow"
Kurt Busch: Cake's "Going The Distance''
Kyle Busch: Kanye West's "Amazing''
Kasey Kahne: Dierks Bentley's "Life On The Run''
Michael Waltrip: Toby Keith's "As Good As I Once Was''
Ryan Newman: Big & Rich's "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy''
Clint Bowyer: Elvis Presley's "CC Rider''
Reed Sorenson: Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean''
Denny Hamlin: Fabulous' "My Time''
Joey Logano: Jerry Reed's "East Bound and Down''
AJ Allmendinger: "Going the Distance'' by Cake
Marcos Ambrose: "Land Down Under'' by Men at Work
John Andretti: Black Label Society's "Fire it Up''
Greg Biffle: POD's "Boom''
Dave Blaney: "Taking Care of Business'' by Bachman Turner Overdrive
David Gilliland: Limb Bizkit's "Break Stuff''
Robby Gordon: Kid Rock's "All Summer Long''
Kevin Harvick: DMX's "Party Up''
Sam Hornish Jr: "Fight for Your Right'' by Beastie Boys
Bobby Labonte: "Chicken Fried'' by Zack Brown Band
Terry Labonte: "Heartland'' by George Strait
Jamie McMurray: AC/DC's "Shook Me All Night Long''
Casey Mears: "Animals'' by Nickelback
Paul Menard: "Fire It Up'' by Black Label Society
Juan Pablo Montoya: "All Star'' by Smash Mouth
Joe Nemechek: "Life in the Fast Lane'' by The Eagles
David Ragan: "Thunderstruck'' by AC/DC
Tony Raines: "Bristol Speed'' by Silvergun
David Reutimann: "Sprach Zarathustra'' by Richard Strauss
Elliott Sadler: "2001 A Space Odyssey''
Regan Smith: "Shoots & Ladders'' by Korn
David Stremme: Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba''
Martin Truex Jr.: "Sun Gonna Rise'' by Citizen Cope
Brian Vickers: "This Town'' by O.A.R.
Scott Wimmer: "Night Rider Theme Song''
(Virginian Pilot)(8-22-2009)
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 the Sprint Cup Series that utilizes two pit roads with 22 pit stalls on the frontstrect and 21 on the backstretch. 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.
There are six race tracks the Sprint Cup Series currently races at that #48-Jimmie Johnson has not won a Sprint Cup race at:
Bristol: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2004 and 3/2009
Michigan: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Infineon: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 4th in 6/2009
Chicago: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 2nd in 7/2004 & 7/2008
Watkins Glen: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Homestead: 0 for 9 with a best finish of 2nd in 11/2004
plus Johnson ran five races at Rockingham Speedway and didn't win there.(11-22-2009)
The NTL heads back to the Earhart Campground at Bristol: After hosting one of the most successful tailgating events of the 2009 inaugural season, The National Tailgating League is heading back to the Earhart Campground of Bristol, TN for an even bigger and better experience! The National Tailgating League (The NTL) presented by Budweiser announced today that Bristol, Tenn., will host the NTL?s second stop of ten on this year?s NTL NASCAR tour, hosting the campgrounds cornhole tournaments and more new exciting elements for our fans. Held in the heart of the Earhart campground, The NTL will host various tournaments starting Friday March 19th through Sunday the 21st, providing race related prizes and cash purse tournaments. More info at TheNTL.com.(NTL)(3-18-2010)
Local Business Will Help NASCAR Fans Take A Trip Down Memory Lane: Time machines. Imaginations have run wild for years about the possibilities of vehicles capable to transport people back in time. One Bristol business has found the solution and will have 12 of those machines ready for drivers like Cale Yarborough and David Pearson to race in the March 20 Scotts EZ Seed Showdown at Bristol Motor Speedway. Okay, so they technically are not time machines, but Modern D-Signs, located on Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, has created a few looks for race cars that definitely will remind people of NASCAR's past. Kurt Kummer, owner of Modern D-Signs, and his staff have taken USAR Pro Cup machines and transformed them into the cars of yesteryear. Each car features one of the paint schemes made famous by the legendary driver behind the wheel for the event. The expert crew at Modern D-Signs can wrap one race car during an eight-hour day. They can go faster if they are pushed, but prefer to limit themselves to one a day. That's a long way from when cars were hand lettered and painted. But although turning back the hands of time to make these cars look similar to their predecessors of yesteryear may be more reliant on technology these days, it still stirs emotion. When Kummer's crew sees drivers like Harry Gant, Charlie Glotzbach and Dave Marcis piloting their works of art, the feeling of pride is obvious around the shop.
Race fans can see the work of Modern D-Signs as Bristol Motor Speedway takes a trip back in time during the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown. Tickets are available for Food City 500 weekend. A package, consisting of Ford Fan Friday qualifying (March 19), the Scotts Turf Builder 300 and the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown (March 20) and the March 21 Food City 500, is available, starting at only $99. For fans who can only attend the Food City 500, single day tickets may be purchased, starting at $93. Tickets for Saturday's doubleheader start at just $45 while fans can watch Ford Fan Friday qualifying for only $5, then attend Food City Race Night at BMS for free.(BMS PR)(3-18-2010)
Bristol has largest seating capacity of SMI tracks: Bristol Motor Speedway has the largest grandstand capacity of any of the Speedway Motorsports Inc. tracks, according to the company's annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bristol's seating capacity remained at 158,0000. Texas Motor Speedway, which was also at 158,000, now stands at 137,000 seats (not including the infield) after the removal of 21,000 seats. Charlotte Motor Speedway also has cut seats from 156,000 to 146,000. Six of the SMI tracks have the same seating capacity as a year ago: Bristol, Las Vegas (131,000), Atlanta (101,000), New Hampshire (96,000), Kentucky (69,000) and Infineon (47,000). Bristol ranks third among all NASCAR Sprint Cup tracks in seating capacity, behind Indianapolis (approximately 250,000) and Daytona (159,000).(Scene Daily)(3-16-2010)
Ticket's available for Bristol races: Tickets are available for Food City 500 weekend. A package, consisting of Ford Fan Friday qualifying (March 19), the Scotts Turf Builder 300 and the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown (March 20) and the March 21 Food City 500, is available, starting at only $99. For fans who can only attend the Food City 500, single day tickets may be purchased, starting at $93. Tickets for Saturday?s doubleheader start at just $45, while fans can watch Ford Fan Friday qualifying for only $5, then attend Food City Race Night at BMS for free. A season ticket package featuring nine events during the March and August NASCAR weekends starts at only $199. The package includes the two most popular Sprint Cup races in the sport, along with a pair of Nationwide events, a Camping Truck Series race, the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown, a Whelen Modified event, qualifying and Food City Race Night. For more information concerning tickets, please visit www.bristoltix.com or call the BMS ticket office at 423-BRISTOL (274-7865).(BMS)(3-10-2010)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin named Food City 500 grand marshal: World Wrestling Federation superstar "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has been named Grand Marshal for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 21, 2010. The 45-year-old Austin is a six-time WWF Champion, an Intercontinental and World Tag Team Champion, three-time Royal Rumble Match winner, King of the Ring winner and three-time WWE Championship at WrestleMania winner. Austin retired from professional wrestling in 2003. Always the entertainer, he turned his attention to acting. In 2010, he will be seen on the big screen starring opposite Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham and Jet Li in The Expendables. Tickets are available for race weekend and may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office toll-free at 1.866.415.4158 or bristolmotorspeedway.com.(BMS)(3-9-2010)
Jason Witten named Honorary Starter of Food City 500: Dallas Cowboy standout Jason Witten has been named the Honorary Starter for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway Sunday, March 21. The 6-foot-5, 263-pound Witten, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, is originally from Elizabethton, Tenn., just 15 minutes away from the World's Fastest Half-Mile. Witten, always excited about making a trip home, is looking forward to taking part in the Food City 500. The 27-year-old Witten was a standout at Elizabethton High School and was the USA Today Player of the Year in Tennessee in 2000 before signing with the University of Tennessee where he starred for three years. In 2001 Witten was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys and became an instant star. One of the premier tight ends in the NFL, Witten finished the 2009 season with 94 catches and 1,030 yards. Tickets are available for race weekend and may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office toll-free at 1.866.415.4158 or bristolmotorspeedway.com.(BMS)(3-9-2010)
Official Statement From BMS Regarding Jeff Byrd: Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced today President and General Manager Jeff Byrd has taken a leave of absence to undergo tests and treatment for a recently-discovered medical matter. It will prevent him from involvement in the upcoming Food City 500 weekend [March 19-21]. Byrd recently went through a series of tests and his doctors are encouraged that the condition is limited to one area and is treatable. ?I fully intend to be back on the job as soon as the doctors say it is ok,? said Byrd. ?I appreciate everyone?s thoughts and prayers and will miss being at the track for the Food City 500 weekend. I have said for years I have the best team in motorsports and things are in good hands.? Byrd and his family have asked for prayers and privacy at this time.(BMS)(3-2-2010
Bristol Motor Speedway adds more SAFER walls: Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced the addition of more than 160 feet of SAFER barriers. Track operations personnel extended SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) barriers at the exits of Turns 2 and 4. Work began last week and will be complete before NASCAR teams arrive for the Food City 500 weekend, March 19-21. ?We believe with these modifications, we will not only increase driver safety, but will also create a different transition at the exit of the turns,? said Jeff Byrd, BMS President and General Manager. ?While we don?t know exactly how this will impact the racing, the more confined racing area should create less elbow room and tighten up the racing groove at those points.? A deteriorating track surface forced officials in the summer of 2007 to put down a fresh layer of concrete and an additional four feet of width to the racing groove was part of the change. The modifications will eliminate some of that added room. ?Without question, this extra four feet added room and aided in creating three and, at times, even four-wide racing,? Byrd said. ?However, while it is breathtaking, many of our fans have responded that we went too far, in actuality, giving too much racing room to the greatest drivers in the world.? For more information concerning tickets, please visit www.bristoltix.com or call the BMS ticket office at 423-BRISTOL (274-7865).(BMS)(2-24-2010)
Four more drivers added to Bristol Legends race: Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced the addition of four more drivers to the lineup for the March 20 running of the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown. Dave Marcis, a veteran of 883 Cup Series races, and Tommy Houston, a mainstay of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will make their debuts in the exciting event which was a huge fan favorite a year ago. Jimmy Hensley, the Virginia Gentleman, also will make his first start in the race, while Phil Parsons returns after competing last season. The fans also will enjoy seeing Marcis' trademark wingtips once more. "I'll be wearing them," he said proudly. "I wore a pair when I ran my last cup race in Daytona in February 2002 and I'll have a pair on in Bristol." Cale Yarborough, Charlie Glotzbach, Jack Ingram and L.D. Ottinger were announced in August as the first 2010 Scotts EZ Seed Showdown competitors. The final four drivers will be announced at a later date.(Bristol PR)(1-28-2010)
BMS wins $397,000 tax case: A Nashville judge has ruled that Bristol Motor Speedway does not have to pay a $397,000 tax assessment from the state of Tennessee. Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle, in an order unsealed Friday, ruled in a dispute over money the racetrack brings in from the broadcast of NASCAR races. The speedway last year challenged the assessment, claiming the state Department of Revenue was illegally taxing the track. Speedway officials argued that television rights are intangible and that any money derived from the sale of them is not subject to Tennessee sales or business taxes. The suit also claimed the state wrongfully taxed the speedway for money it makes from mailing fees on tickets and from leasing space to vendors. Lyle wrote that the assessments "do not fall into the category of tangible personal property." The judge also ruled that "the relationship ... from the NASCAR agreement is more in the nature of a joint venture than contract of service by the (track) to NASCAR."(Kingsport Times News)(10-19-2009)
New title sponsor for Bristol fall race UPDATE: but been told Irwin Tools will replace Sharpie as the race title sponsor for next August's Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway and will be known as the Irwin Tools 500. Also, supposedly Irwin Tools does not know if it will sponsor a car/driver in 2010 [from the PR below, it does not sound like they will sponsor a car]. It currently serves as the primary sponsor for 11 Sprint Cup races on Roush Fenway Racing's #26 Ford that Jamie McMurray drives. That team will close up or move to Yates Racing in 2010, with either McMurray as the driver or another driver.
UPDATE: IRWIN Tools, a Newell Rubbermaid [also owns Sharpie] company and manufacturer and distributor of a broad line of professional hand tools and power tool accessories, announced that it will be the title sponsor of the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway beginning in 2010. While the event's new name is unique - the "IRWIN Tools Night Race" - the summer classic under the lights at Bristol will continue to be 500 grueling laps around the high banks of the .533-mile oval, one of NASCAR's most popular and storied facilities. A spectacle in sports since 1961, Bristol has had 55 consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sellouts, dating back to 1982. "We could not have constructed a better partnership than one between IRWIN Tools and Bristol Motor Speedway," said IRWIN President Neil Eibeler. "Like our many IRWIN products, Bristol leads the way in innovation, quality and ingenuity among NASCAR venues. We can't wait to see the blue and yellow colors of IRWIN Tools here for years to come. Our employees are thrilled and our customers will be waiting in anticipation to see nearly 160,000 fans in the stands next year for the first ?IRWIN Night Race at Bristol,' the most popular NASCAR race of the year." IRWIN Tools takes over the entitlement from Sharpie, a sister company under the Newell Rubbermaid umbrella, which has sponsored the race since 2001.
"We're very happy to keep the Night Race in the Newell Rubbermaid family," said Jeff Byrd, President and General Manager of BMS, NASCAR's fastest half-mile. "We have gotten to know the IRWIN Tools team and their desire is to be the best technological company in the tool business. We feel we have the best facility in our sport so pairing up the two can only result in success. We look forward to a wonderful partnership and future together." The IRWIN Tools name has been a mainstay in NASCAR since 2003, serving as a primary car sponsor for Roush Fenway Racing. During that span, drivers Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray both won races in IRWIN Tools Fords while Busch carried IRWIN to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship in 2004. "It's been a great ride with Roush Fenway Racing," said Eric Pinkham, Newell Rubbermaid's Vice President, Sponsorship and Event Marketing. "They clearly helped us put IRWIN Tools on the map and we appreciate what they've done for the IRWIN brand. Now it's time for a new chapter for IRWIN and we can't wait to get started on the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol." The 2010 IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol will be on Saturday, August 21. For more information, call 1-800-GO-IRWIN or visit www.irwin.com.(BMS)(8-22-2009)
Full Driver song list for Bristol: Bristol Motor Speedway will give fans something different during drive interoductions Saturday night. They'll play music for each driver that the driver has selected. Some of the choices are interesting from those older rock n' roll classics to more recent tunes. Here's the playlist for ALL of the drivers:
Tony Stewart: Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba''
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: AC/DC's "Thunderstruck''
Jimmie Johnson: AC/DC's Thunderstruck
Mark Martin: AC/DC's "For Those About To Rock''
Jeff Gordon: Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up''
Jeff Burton: Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle''
Carl Edwards: House of Pain's "Jump Around''
Matt Kenseth: "Godsmack's "The Enemy''
Scott Speed: "Black Eyed Peas' "Boom, Boom, Pow"
Kurt Busch: Cake's "Going The Distance''
Kyle Busch: Kanye West's "Amazing''
Kasey Kahne: Dierks Bentley's "Life On The Run''
Michael Waltrip: Toby Keith's "As Good As I Once Was''
Ryan Newman: Big & Rich's "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy''
Clint Bowyer: Elvis Presley's "CC Rider''
Reed Sorenson: Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean''
Denny Hamlin: Fabulous' "My Time''
Joey Logano: Jerry Reed's "East Bound and Down''
AJ Allmendinger: "Going the Distance'' by Cake
Marcos Ambrose: "Land Down Under'' by Men at Work
John Andretti: Black Label Society's "Fire it Up''
Greg Biffle: POD's "Boom''
Dave Blaney: "Taking Care of Business'' by Bachman Turner Overdrive
David Gilliland: Limb Bizkit's "Break Stuff''
Robby Gordon: Kid Rock's "All Summer Long''
Kevin Harvick: DMX's "Party Up''
Sam Hornish Jr: "Fight for Your Right'' by Beastie Boys
Bobby Labonte: "Chicken Fried'' by Zack Brown Band
Terry Labonte: "Heartland'' by George Strait
Jamie McMurray: AC/DC's "Shook Me All Night Long''
Casey Mears: "Animals'' by Nickelback
Paul Menard: "Fire It Up'' by Black Label Society
Juan Pablo Montoya: "All Star'' by Smash Mouth
Joe Nemechek: "Life in the Fast Lane'' by The Eagles
David Ragan: "Thunderstruck'' by AC/DC
Tony Raines: "Bristol Speed'' by Silvergun
David Reutimann: "Sprach Zarathustra'' by Richard Strauss
Elliott Sadler: "2001 A Space Odyssey''
Regan Smith: "Shoots & Ladders'' by Korn
David Stremme: Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba''
Martin Truex Jr.: "Sun Gonna Rise'' by Citizen Cope
Brian Vickers: "This Town'' by O.A.R.
Scott Wimmer: "Night Rider Theme Song''
(Virginian Pilot)(8-22-2009)
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