A spectacle more than a decade in the making will bring tens of thousands of race fans to the streets of Bristol Thursday, Aug. 20 as Ford Presents the BMS Transporter Parade.
The Thursday night of Bristol race week teems with traditions like Food City Family Race Night and the 13th annual parade of NASCAR Sprint Cup haulers, which carry the race cars and equipment for the Sharpie 500.
Outside, thousands of fans in the area for the four NASCAR races will line the 10-mile route to watch the transporters make their way to the World's Fastest Half-Mile. Inside, hauler drivers will help in making dreams come true as many of them will carry a child from either the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Children's Miracle Network.
The parade starts at 9 p.m. at the Bristol Mall at the conclusion of downtown Bristol's Food City Family Race Night. More than 60 haulers then will make their way down Volunteer Parkway to BMS.
The transporter leading the way will be the one belonging to the series sanctioning body, NASCAR, followed by series sponsor Sprint and the leader of the series point standings heading into the Sharpie 500, currently Tony Stewart. Adding to the fanfare of the parade, fireworks will light up the skies from four different points along the route.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s hauler will be open for tours while the transporter drivers will sign autographs at the Bristol Mall prior to the start of the parade. For children, there will be face painting and a "CARS" jump playhouse.
Ford presents the BMS Transporter Parade before two of NASCAR's most exciting night races, the Food City 250 Nationwide Series race Friday, Aug. 21 and the sold-out Sharpie 500 Saturday, Aug. 22.
