Dede Hash, Vice President of Administration for Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, has earned a certificate from The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Hash has oversight of security at Bristol Motor Speedway, which was honored by NASCAR in 2007 as one of the top 10 tracks for security in the sport.
"We're constantly trying to make ourselves better because if we do that, it enhances the Bristol Experience for our guests," said BMS President and General Manager Jeff Byrd. "The comfort and security of our fans are top concerns and the efforts Dede and her team have made toward that end show that."
According to USM officials, the Center for Spectator Sports Security Management offers the online certificate program to train current professionals in sport security management. The Sport Security Management certificate program is the first of its kind to provide the specialization needed to meet the challenges of homeland defense and security in a sports environment.
The program is designed using techniques that comply with the standards of the National Incident Management Systems set for by the Department of Homeland Security.
"We want every race experience to be better than the one before," Byrd said. "Obviously that's a high bar to set, but we are serious about it."
NASCAR will return to Bristol Motor Speedway in August and the race week features four races under the lights, including the O'Reilly 200 Camping World Truck Series race and the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 Whelen Modified Series event Wednesday, Aug. 19. That is followed by the Food City 250 Nationwide Series race Friday, Aug. 21. The weekend culminates with the Sharpie 500 Saturday, Aug. 22.
The August ticket package includes tickets for both the Sharpie 500 and the Food City 250. Package prices begin at $145. Anyone purchasing a package will be eligible for the buy one, get one free Wednesday night ticket, which includes both the O'Reilly 200 truck event and the Whelen Modified 150. Wednesday tickets are $30.
Tickets may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900 or by visiting www.bristoltix.com.
