Bristol Motor Speedway - The information you need, right here
Are you a NASCAR fan? Have you ever been to a race? Thinking about going to a race? May I recommend Bristol Motor Speedway, in Tennessee. I had the pleasure of going to the Sharpie 500 (night race) this year, and it wasn’t just a race, it was an experience! My husband surprised me with Bristol Motor Speedway tickets for my birthday. Bristol Motor Speedway is a ½ mile track, one of the shortest on the NASCAR schedule (only Richmond is smaller).
As you drive in on Route 91, the main drag past the race track, you can just feel excitement. Cars, campers, and people are everywhere! People are parking in front yards and parking lots (for a fee of course). However, you can tell the residents of Bristol gear up all year for these races. This is like their Super Bowl. We parked a mile away from Bristol Motor Speedway, and walked to the track. When the track comes into view, it’s an awesome sight.
We had seats in turn 4, sixth row at Bristol Motor Speedway and we could see everything! I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the whole place. Before the race, we saw drivers walking back and forth. The trucks used for driver introductions lined up in turns 3 and 4, so we saw the drivers as they walked to the trucks. If you want to go to see the drivers without having to have pit passes, this is the track to go to. Make sure you take your earplugs! Bristol Motor Speedway is LOUD! However, I would recommend hearing at least one lap without plugs to just hear how really loud it is.
This year’s Sharpie 500 was particularly special for me. As a Rusty Wallace fan, it was my wish that I see Rusty race at Bristol Motor Speedway at the night race, and this was my last chance since he retired at the end of this season. Rusty had always done well at Bristol Motor Speedway, and he made it clear that it was his favorite track. They had a special ceremony for him before the race where they presented him with awards. In turns one and two, they had all the people hold up cards so that they whole section said (Thanks Rusty). It was cool. Then two planes flew over during the national anthem, and two parachutists came into Bristol Motor Speedway with the American flag and landed on the track. Everything was in “twos” as a special tribute to Rusty and his number 2 car. Rusty finished the race in 3rd. My husband’s favorite, Mark Martin, finished 5th. Even if they hadn’t done well, it was still worth every penny spent. Bristol Motor Speedway Tickets are hard to get, but if you can, it is well worth it.