Bristol Motor Speedway's fans come from all across the country, as well as internationally, and on Sunday, March 22 prior to the start of the Food City 500, their loyalty and dedication to BMS will be recognized.
Among the BMS ticket holders are fans from each of the 50 states, as well as 11 countries. Sunday morning, fans from their home states and their native countries will take part in a spectacular pre-race ceremony designed to thank Bristol Motor Speedway's most important commodity, its race fans.
All 50 state flags and the flags of Canada, England, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Japan, Scotland, Norway, Luxembourg, Columbia and Puerto Rico will be displayed on the track, presented by fans from their respective states and countries.
BMS officials solicited fans from its ticket holder data base via an email blast last week and the response was overwhelming. To date, more than 5,000 fans have responded asking for the honor of representing their state or country. Nearly 1,200 answered within the first 43 minutes after the call was issued.
"We are really looking forward to this," said BMS president Jeff Byrd. "Our fans have always been the most loyal in the sport and they always have supported us. They are responsible for the tremendous success we have here at Bristol Motor Speedway and we believe this is a great way to honor them."
Also, as part of the pre-race ceremony on Sunday, a massive 60'x90' American flag will be unfurled during the singing of the national anthem. Approximately 100 members of the United States armed forces, from all branches of the military, will take part in unfurling the flag. Members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard also will display their respective flags during the pre-race ceremony.
The Food City 500 gets under way at 2 p.m. Sunday. Qualifying for the event takes place March 20 at 3:40 p.m. The Scotts Turf Builder 300 is March 21 at 2:30 p.m., with qualifying getting underway that morning at 9:40 a.m.
Tickets still are available for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 (Starting at $45) and Food City 500 (starting at $93). Tickets for Ford Fan Friday, March 20, are just $5 and fans with specially marked Pepsi cans will be admitted free.
Tickets may be purchased at www.bristoltix.com or by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900.
