Every winter, Bristol Motor Speedway transforms from a major sports and entertainment destination into a glowing holiday wonderland known as Food City Speedway in Lights. Families drive through more than four million Christmas lights, tunnels that shimmer, and displays that fill nearly every inch of the track and grounds. Today it’s one of the largest holiday light shows in the Southeast, but its story began with a simple idea and a local need.
A Community Need Sparks an Idea
In the early 1990s, Bristol Motor Speedway had already earned its nickname, “The World’s Fastest Half Mile,” for its roaring races and sold-out crowds. But when the racing season ended, the facility sat mostly empty. During those cold months, the track’s managers and the Bristol community wondered how they could use the space in a special way to give something back.
Jeff Byrd, who was then the president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway, believed the track could do more for its neighbors. Working alongside his wife Claudia, they wanted to find a way to raise money for the local chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (every Speedway Motorsports track has a chapter) while also creating something the region could be proud of.
A spark hit when they were on a drive and they remembered their North Carolina hometown’s (Winston-Salem, N.C.) yearly Christmas Light Show called “Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights.” The Byrds saw a chance to mimic this, and combine community giving with something fun that families and friends could enjoy together in the Tri-Cities region.
The First Strings of Light
In 1997, Bristol Motor Speedway launched the first Speedway in Lights. It wasn’t nearly as big as what visitors see today. The early version featured only a few hundred displays, mostly handmade by local volunteers and track employees. The route covered part of the speedway grounds and looped through sections of the track’s infield.
Volunteers spent long days hanging lights, running cables, and testing displays. Many of them were from local businesses and civic groups. The work was simple but full of purpose — they wanted to create something that brought joy to others. When the first cars rolled through that December, people were amazed. For a few dollars, families could drive through a glowing version of their hometown track, all while helping local charities.
Building the Legacy
Each year after that, Speedway in Lights grew. What started as a small community project quickly became a regional event. As word spread, more sponsors and volunteers joined in. The displays became larger, more detailed, and more creative. Engineers and electricians from the track staff designed tunnels of light that stretched for hundreds of feet. Animated scenes began to appear, from Santa’s workshop to racing-themed displays that tied back to the track’s NASCAR roots.
The show became the main fundraiser for the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a nonprofit group that supports children in need by supporting more than 90 agencies throughout Southwestern Virginia and Northeastern Tennessee. Every ticket sold to the light show helped fund local programs that provide food, shelter, clothing, and education to families. Over the years, the event has raised more than $22 million for those causes.
From Local Tradition to Regional Landmark
As Speedway in Lights expanded, so did the experience. Visitors could not only drive through the glowing course but also stop inside the track for special activities. Christmas Village opened to offer crafts, food, and a place for kids to meet Santa. Runners could join the 5K Run/Walk for the Children, a race that winds through the light displays before the show opens to cars each year.
Today, Food City Speedway in Lights powered by TVA spans more than five miles and features more than four million lights. It takes a small army of staff and volunteers several weeks to install and maintain the displays. Each section is carefully planned to manage traffic flow and ensure that every visitor gets a clear view of the lights. Technology has also changed the show — computer programs now control synchronized light patterns and timing, making the displays more dynamic without losing the charm of the original design.
Keeping the Spirit Alive
While Food City Speedway in Lights has grown into a major holiday attraction, its mission hasn’t changed. The focus remains on helping children and families across the region. That purpose is what keeps volunteers coming back each year, some of whom have worked on the event since it began.
The team behind the show still tries to keep it local. Many displays are built in-house, and decorations often highlight Bristol’s culture — racing, music, and community pride. Each season, planners look for new ways to add variety while keeping the family-friendly feel that has defined the event from the start.
A Simple Vision That Endures
Claudia Byrd, the executive director of Bristol’s chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, has been a key part of the mission during every step of the way in the 29 years that the dazzling light show has been bringing friends and families together for a holiday tradition in the Appalachian Highlands. Byrd puts the Food City Speedway In Lights into perspective.
“It’s amazing to think that we have been hosting The Food City Speedway In Lights powered by TVA for nearly three decades,” Byrd said. “What began all those years ago as a simple signature fundraising event that we called 'our little light show' has evolved into a mega holiday tradition for thousands of visitors each year. The Food City Speedway in Lights powered by TVA continues to provide a much-needed opportunity for family, friends and loved ones to get together and enjoy a night out while creating wonderful memories. The best thing about this event is that while our guests are enjoying a tour of this amazing holiday light show, they are simultaneously providing significant help for so many wonderful children throughout our 18-county service area. There’s nothing better than greeting the long-time guests who return year after year to support our mission and to see a child’s face light up when they view the beautiful lighted displays."
