Bristol Motor Speedway is a place where the air hums with anticipation long before the green flag drops. Attending a NASCAR race there in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Tennessee is a unique experience, a sensory overload journey that requires careful planning to ensure you don't miss a single, heart-pounding moment.
First, you absolutely cannot miss the atmosphere in the Parking Lots or the BMS Campgrounds. The moment you step out of your car to park or set up your campsite, you're enveloped in a sea of RVs, tents, grilling, and race fans who are as much a part of the spectacle as the drivers themselves. The smell of charcoal and anticipation is everywhere, and you'll find an open friendliness that makes you feel instantly at home among strangers who share your passion. If you do decide to Tailgate during your Bristol NASCAR experience, you will certainly meet some new friends and you may also be eligible for some Tailgating awards and prizes from BMS partners Food City and Bush’s Beans.
After tailgating is over, you will certainly want to head on over to the Bristol Fan Zone. There is so much to do that you won’t want to miss a minute you have to explore this space. Located at BMS Entrance 1 (North) near the It’s Bristol Baby! Monument, the BMS Fan Zone has something for everyone. There’s music, games, food, exhibitions, stunts, souvenir haulers, appearances by drivers and legends of the sport, autograph sessions, race car simulators, RC cars, inflatables and plenty of fun activities to be had for the kids. It’s all anchored by the Food City Fan Zone Stage presented by Coke Zero Sugar. There will be driver appearances and other guests, along with music acts throughout the weekend. On Sunday, you don’t want to miss the wild and crazy Trackside Live hosted by Kenny Wallace, John Roberts and Jose Castillo.
After your Fan Zone visit you can head over to the Fan Track Walk. For a small fee, which is a donation to Speedway Children’s Charities, you can sign up to put your feet on the same racing surface where so much NASCAR history has taken place. Just before the race you can get a feel for the banking and just how high the walls are that surround the track. Trust us, it will be an experience that you will never forget.
Once inside The Last Great Colosseum, you'd be foolish to skip walking around the concourse and soaking it all in. The sheer scale of the stadium is a marvel. With seating that wraps all the way around the track, it feels less like a speedway and more like a traditional stick and ball sports arena. The massive scoring video display hung in the center called Colossus TV, which looks like a spaceship but doubles as one of the world's largest four-sided video screens, is a sight you have to appreciate in person. It’s just like watching the race from home when you have Colossus TV right in front of you. The race team merchandise haulers are a spectacle unto themselves, a colorful, bustling marketplace where you can find gear for every driver imaginable. It’s also a great place to meet the drivers as they all spend time in their specific hauler signing autographs and visiting with fans. Check out the schedule on the BMS website to find out when your favorite driver will be available.
The Pre-Race Infield Experience is also a must-see, so you will want to grab your seat in the grandstands with plenty of time to watch the pre-race music concert and enjoy the fun driver introductions. With Bristol’s strong connection to the nearby Birthplace of Country Music, the track always provides some of the greatest country music performers in the biz. Combine that with the pageantry of driver introductions, the spine-tingling rendition of the national anthem (often accompanied by a military flyover), and the final command, "Drivers, start your engines!" the entire package is an American ritual that feels incredibly powerful when shared with thousands of your fellow fans.
But the one thing at the top of your to-do list for the big weekend is enjoying the race itself, from the grandstands. You definitely don’t want to miss this! The roar of 750-horsepower engines from 40 Cup cars echoing off the concrete walls is unlike anything you've ever heard. Bristol Motor Speedway’s unique configuration, a .533-mile oval with steep banks in the turns that angle out at 28 degrees presents a tough challenge to the world’s greatest stock car drivers. It's a physical sensation that vibrates in your chest and shakes the ground beneath your feet. The speed at which the cars navigate the tight, high-banked turns is mesmerizing. You'll see close calls, daring passes, and maybe even "The Big One" — a multi-car crash that happens in the blink of an eye. The excitement is palpable, with the crowd's energy rising and falling with every lap and lead change.
Finally, don't leave early! The finish of a Bristol race is almost always a nail-biter. The intensity builds to a crescendo in the final laps, and the checkered flag is the payoff for a day filled with excitement. Cheer on your favorite driver until the checkered flag waves. If your favorite doesn’t win this time, you can still check out the post-race ceremonies. You won’t want to miss the victory lap, any celebratory burnouts, the cheers of the crowd, and the post-race celebration on top of Bristol’s famed rooftop Victory Lane.
The next opportunity to take in all of the fun at The Last Great Colosseum is coming April 10-12 when the Craftsman Trucks hit 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 300-lap NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race (7:30 p.m., The CW, PRN Radio, Sirius XM Radio) and Bush’s Beans Qualifying; 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.
To 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.
