NASCAR's most popular race, the sold-out Sharpie 500, is right around the next turn at Bristol Motor Speedway and so is a race of a different kind.
The inaugural Sharky 500, a rubber shark race in Beaver Creek to benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities, will take place at BMS Oct. 4.
The winner receives a Centurion Falcon V Air Warrior boat and trailer, valued at $40,000.
Starting Aug. 20, BMS will sell small, rubber sharks for $10 that gives the owner a shot at the winning the $40,000 Centurion. There is no limit to the number that may be purchased.
"Centurion is very proud to partner with the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities," said Centurion CFO Clark Bird. "The events surrounding the raffle of a brand new boat will be fun and exciting, but are going to pale in comparison to the sense of sharing, with proceeds going to improve the quality of life for children throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. It is an honor to be involved in such a gracious and giving community event."
The sharks will be dumped simultaneously into the creek on the BMS property and the first one to the finish line will win its owner the grand prize. A number of other prizes will be given away, including a room makeover by Grand Home Furnishings. Winners are not required to be present to win.
The Kidsville Magazine Kids Expo will be part of the event, taking place at BMS from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. that day. Area businesses will be involved and a number of child-friendly activities, along with interactive booths, will be part of the Expo. There is no admission to this event.
The Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities has raised in excess of $4 million in the last 11 years for children's agencies in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
"We feel like this is going to be a tremendous success," said Claudia Byrd, director of the Bristol Chapter of SCC. "It's going to be a lot of fun, somebody will win this fabulous boat and we're going to raise a lot of money for children in this area.
"The boat is a wonderful first prize and we have a number of other prizes too for the folks who have some of the highest finishing sharks in the race. For only $10 people will not just have the chance to win some really great prizes but they'll also be supporting a very worthy cause."
The sharks may be purchased at BMS throughout race week, which concludes with the Aug. 23 Sharpie 500. Sharks will be available for purchase at the bridge that connects Earhart Campground to Bristol Motor Speedway on the North (Turn 1) side of the property. There also will be a group of vendors walking around BMS grounds during race events selling the sharks.
The sharks will be sold after the race in the BMS ticket office until the Sharky 500 "race day" Oct. 4.
