Posted on March 23, 2007

It's Bristol, Baby!

by Shannon Poe About The Author	Email   Print

What is it about Bristol Motor Speedway that causes so much excitement? Seating over 160,000 fans, BMS is the most sought after ticket on the Nextel Cup circuit according to NASCAR. The City of Bristol actually sits in two states Virginia and Tennessee. Downtown within the city limits you will find State Street. A centerline marks the official boundary between the two states. After years of watching NASCAR, I finally decided to head down to the track myself to find out first hand what makes this race so enticing to my fellow NASCAR fans. This is how I came to attend the spring race in 2005 at this half mile and steep banked track nestled among fields of green. No stranger to the greater Tennessee area, having taken dozens of trips through the Great Smoky Mountains, I settled into racing weekend on the outskirts of those mountains some 90 miles from the track.

Approaching the track on Friday qualifying, I got my first taste of BMS. In the distance, it sits quietly, almost majestic. Reminiscent of medieval jousting pavilions in the 15 century, with flags flying all around its perimeter. The surrounding green fields were loaded with campers, tents, and seas of fans decked out in their favorite driver’s regalia. As I looked over all the recreational vehicles densely populating the fields and hills, it became quite evident that the trivia I had heard was true. It is a fact that Bristol jumps from its population standings in the state of Tennessee at twenty-something, to one of the five most populated cities in Tennessee during races weekend. Standing outside the speedway, I soaked in the feeling of excitement buzzing around me. Although I would spend Saturday in the rain waiting on NASCAR to call the Busch race, this did not dampen my experience with BMS and the seemingly invisible electricity weaving like a current through the stands.

I met with fans from as far away as Canada, and the Great Lakes region of the country. I was impressed by how far and wide people traveled to partake of this event. As I idly watched the Food City 500 Jumbo sized motorized cart make its way around the track; I took in my surroundings from atop the Petty Terrace. The haulers parked in the infield were fascinating; there had to be a fine science working them so precariously into that small space. The seating does not slope backward from the oval racing area it stacks and leans forward. It took several minutes to adjust and not feel as though one leap out of my seat was going to send me careening down the side of the terrace and into the retaining fence. Good thing that hurdle was overcome quickly, because I soon discovered that Bristol was a race where you did not remain seated for long.

From the command to start the engines, to Kevin Harvick earning his first win since 2003, this was a great race. BMS is chaotic and action packed. Kurt Busch was booed heavily during driver introductions; but gasps of concern could be heard when he collided head on with Jeff Burton. Pit road is divided and sits on either side of the infield. The nickname “Thunder Valley” is an understatement. Because of the tight proximity of seating, and the bowl like shape the stands create, sound in the speedway is trapped within the arena. The seats shake, and the roar of the cars can be heard for miles.

For the first time, I saw live and in person a wreck begin in one turn, but come to fruition half a track away. I saw Tony Stewart spin between turns three and four, and not touch anything. After awhile you tossed up your hands and gave up looking at the scoreboard, and just watched the incredible melee on the racetrack. With limited real estate, the entire track was in motion. There was almost never a blank space with no cars during the race!

As I sat looking around the stands during a caution, one thing was evident. Dale Earnhardt Jr is a crowd favorite. I would say that over three quarters of the crowd were openly rooting for that #8 Bud Chevy. As you looked around, it was a sea of red, and it had nothing to do with Kasey Kahne or Jeremy Mayfield. Interestingly enough, today this might be rivaled. After a trip last fall to Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. There noted a sea of red bearing the no. 9. Kahne’s introduction and foray onto the stage was met by cheers so loud that if there was a naysayer in the crowd, it was lost. What a difference a year makes.

Tickets certainly are not easy to come by. I got mine from a “friend of a friend” transaction online. I was forced to buy for all three events, however, and at the last minute. There are limited hotel accommodations in the immediate area of Kingsport. Because the track sits removed from civilization, those requiring room and board have to travel a good hour or more from the track to acquire that. Parking is quite expensive around the track, but parking along the highway is free. At first, I was uncomfortable with that, but soon discovered that the shoulders were wide, and angle parking was the norm. NASCAR fans know how to adapt. As long as your tires are not touching the pavement, local law enforcement has nothing to say to you. Riding the shuttle into the speedway is a requirement; it’s nearly a two-mile hike or more otherwise. There are steep hills leading up to the track that might hinder disabled or small children. Bristol is also a track that you cannot walk completely around the outside or inside of, so be prepared to get lost at least twice if it’s your first time there.

Spring race 2007 finds a new twist added. The Car of Tomorrow will make its Nextel Cup debut on the short track. Drivers are on the fence about it, and fans are wary of the change. Unfortunately, it is inevitable. Initial reports of the COT came across drastic in terms of the size of the car, and driver position in the car. I have heard pros and cons from the drivers on the matter, and actually anticipate seeing first hand what it has to offer. My only disappointment is that for all the hype, the actual look of the car was a letdown. Rather than a “futuristic” feel, it seems more “old school.” Perhaps revisiting yesteryear in stock car racing. Can we even call it stock car racing anymore? Is this NASCAR’s way of trying to return to its roots and rekindle something with older generation fans? Time will tell.

I must say based upon personal experience, the fans that attend the Bristol race are among the friendliest, and most helpful on the circuit. It may be one of the smallest tracks on the circuit, but it certainly has the biggest heart. When asked to sum up or describe this racing venue, I have to borrow the words of a driver who won the race in the fall 2004. “It’s Bristol, baby!”

You can contact Shannon at shanjrfan8@aol.com

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