A pair of Bristol entertainment juggernauts, one anchoring each state of Bristol’s twin cities – Virginia and Tennessee – are extending their long-standing marketing partnership called Rhythm and Racing, officials from Bristol Motor Speedway and the Birthplace of Country Music announced today during a press conference at BMS.  

The partnership between Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and Bristol Motor Speedway combines the popular music festival that annually celebrates the 1927 Bristol Sessions with the iconic NASCAR half-mile oval where so much racing history has taken place since the track opened in 1961. The two will continue to collaborate on marketing opportunities to amplify the close union between racing and country music.

The partnership will resume with the upcoming Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, April 10-12, where Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will have a significant presence around the BMS property during the event. Buskers are scheduled to perform throughout the weekend and play country music in locations in the BMS Fan Zone, the frontstretch and backstretch concourses and near the T3 Vodka 360 Bar.

“Rhythm & Racing is a powerful celebration of what makes Bristol unique where music and motorsports are both part of our cultural DNA,” said Melissa Roberts, Executive Director of Birthplace of Country Music. “As we mark the 25th anniversary of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion in 2026, this partnership with Bristol Motor Speedway creates an exciting opportunity to connect two of the region’s most iconic experiences. Together, we’re inviting both longtime fans and new visitors to experience the energy, history, and spirit that define our community.”  

This fall Bristol Motor Speedway will have a noticeable presence at the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Sept. 11-13 in downtown Bristol. Then, just one weekend later, Rhythm & Roots Reunion will be back at the track with co-branded marketing collaborations during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Sept. 17-19.

“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Birthplace of Country Music and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion,” said Jerry Caldwell, President and General Manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “Our events have put the city of Bristol on the map on a worldwide scale and we both annually entertain guests from all over the world. NASCAR racing and country music have always blended very well together, especially in this region, and we are thrilled to extend this alliance to continue to showcase the incredible bond between racing and country music.”

The race weekend kicks off with the Craftsman Trucks on the Bristol high banks on the evening of April 10 for the Tennessee Army National Guard 250 Truck Race (7:30 p.m., FS1, PRN Radio, SiriusXM Radio); On Saturday, April 11, it will be action-packed with the Suburban Propane 300 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race (7:30 p.m., The CW, PRN Radio, Sirius XM Radio) and Bush’s Beans Qualifying for both the Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series; The tradition-rich Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race will thrill fans on Sunday afternoon, April 12 (3 p.m., FS1, PRN Radio, Sirius XM Radio) and bring the fun weekend to a triumphant finish.

In addition to cheering on their favorite drivers on the track, fans at Bristol Motor Speedway will want to take advantage of so many activities to make a complete weekend of family fun. There will be great video entertainment provided by Colossus TV, the world's largest center-hung video screen, plenty of music throughout the event, premium VIP experiences, tailgating, on-site camping, a pre-race track walk on the legendary oval, and other entertainment at the Food City Fan Zone Stage headlined by Trackside Live with Kenny Wallace and John Roberts, great food and beverages in the concession stands throughout the property, and so much more.

Fans can purchase tickets to the Food City 500 weekend of races or any events at Bristol Motor Speedway, please visit the track’s website or call the BMS Ticket Sales Center at (866) 415-4158. You can also purchase tickets at any neighborhood Food City store while supplies lasts.

Race fans with tickets to the Food City 500 weekend of races can purchase tickets to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Sept. 11-13, 2026, from April 1-12 for $25 off of a 3-Day GA ticket to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and the Rhythm & Racing partnership. Tickets are available at the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion booth in the Fan Zone and online at BristolRhythm.com.

About Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is an award-winning music festival created to celebrate and honor the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, the driving force behind Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia being declared the birthplace of country music. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is renowned for its diverse acts, from established headliners to up-and-coming artists, and showcases the best Appalachian roots music the region has to offer. The festival is also known for its unique downtown setting along State Street, where Tennessee and Virginia meet to form the twin cities of Bristol. Three days, two states, one reunion. For more information about Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion visit BristolRhythm.com