Bristol Motor Speedway - Pure Racing Excitement
The Tiny Track at BMS is Loved by Both Drivers and Fans
Jul 22, 2009
It’s not surprising that tickets to Bristol Motor Speedway are gobbled up like candy when you consider the on-track action that fans get to witness at this infamous short track. Many drivers have tried to describe what it is like competing in a Bristol race. Mark Martin has said that racing at Bristol Motor Speedway is like trying to fly a jet around a gymnasium. Fans liken their experiences of watching a Bristol race to being seated in the Roman Coliseum—they know they will witness the inevitable metal carnage.
Speed and tight quarters, accompanied with hot tempers and adrenaline, do not generally bring out the best in most drivers. Yet, Bristol Motor Speedway remains one of the tracks drivers and fans most look forward to visiting each year. You can always count on action on and off the track.
Bristol Motor Speedway History
Bristol Motor Speedway was the dream child of Carl Moore, Larry Carrier and R.G. Pope. Carrier and Moore caught the racing bug when they visited Charlotte Motor Speedway to watch a race in 1960. They hooked up with R.G. Pope and the trio soon had visions of a speedway being built in Northeast Tennessee dancing in their heads.
They first proposed that the track be built in Piney Flats, Tennessee, yet the idea was opposed by the locals. The three then took their plans down the road to Bristol. Bristol Motor Speedway is seated on what was once a working dairy farm. It cost approximately $600,000 to purchase the farm and construct the track. The entire facility covered 100 acres and was built in a year.
The first NASCAR race was held at the Bristol Motor Speedway on July 30, 1961, with 18,000 fans in attendance. Brenda Lee sang the national anthem, Fred Lorenzen sat on the pole and 42 drivers took the green flag. Only 19 cars finished the race, with Atlanta’s own Jack Smith winning the event. Ironically, Smith only drove the first 290 laps of the race. Johnny Allen, also from Atlanta, served as Smith’s relief driver and the pair happily split the $3,225 purse.
Bristol Motor Speedway has seen many improvements over the years. The track switched from asphalt to concrete in 1992. Today it seats approximately 165,000 fans in the grandstands and skyboxes. All seating sections are now being renamed for past winners and NASCAR champions. The track recently underwent resurfacing and just like everything that occurs at Bristol, no shortcuts were taken. The speedway used the Gomaco Slope Paver to handle the specs of the unique 36-degree banking track.
Bristol Race Tickets
If you have never been to a Bristol race and you desire to see racing at its best, you may be in for a wait. The Cup races are always sold out. Unless you are a season ticket holder, it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase tickets through the official box office. However, it never hurts to try. You should start contacting the official box office as early as a couple of years in advance.
The good news is if you do manage to get Bristol season tickets you will receive notices each year to renew them. Another piece of good news is if you do get tickets to a Bristol race there are really no bad seats. Bristol is laid out much like a football stadium and there are only “good” and “better” seats. Most fans are just happy to be there and are not picky about their seating. They know that no matter where they are seated they are in for an exciting show.
Bristol Lodging
Lodging for the races and other events in Bristol can be scarce and should be booked well in advance. While the town and surrounding area has plenty of hotels, motels, campgrounds, chalets and bed and breakfasts, it can be hard to find beds for all the visitors on race weekends. If you wait until the last minute you may be forced to stay as far away as Knoxville, Johnson City, Virginia or North Carolina. Lodging can be so scarce on race weekends that some home owners in the area have started renting out their spare rooms to race fans. You can find a listing of accommodations on the Bristol Motor Speedway Website.
