Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway stands as one of NASCAR's most iconic venues, nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Tennessee. Known to racing fans as "The Last Great Colosseum" and "The World's Fastest Half-Mile," this short track delivers some of the most intense racing action in motorsports. The stadium-like design creates an electric atmosphere where fans can view the entire track from any seat, placing them close to the action as drivers battle around the high-banked concrete oval.

Track Specifications

Bristol Motor Speedway features a 0.533-mile (0.858 km) concrete oval that produces exceptionally fast racing despite its short length. The track's most distinctive feature is its steep banking in the turns, which ranges from 24 to 28 degrees. This steep angle allows drivers to maintain high speeds through the corners while the short straightaways (650 feet) force quick transitions. The straights themselves have variable banking from 4 degrees at the bottom to 9 degrees at the top. This configuration creates multiple racing lines and opportunities for passing, though often through aggressive "bump-and-run" maneuvers that have become a signature of Bristol racing.

History and Development

The speedway opened in 1961, with the first NASCAR Cup Series race held on July 30th of that year. Jack Smith won that inaugural race with relief help from Johnny Allen. Originally built with a capacity of around 18,000, the track has undergone numerous expansions to reach its current seating capacity of approximately 146,000, making it one of the largest sports venues in America. The track surface has evolved over time. Bristol was initially paved with asphalt but was converted to concrete in 1992, becoming one of the few concrete racing surfaces in NASCAR. From 2021-2023, the spring races featured a temporary dirt surface covering the concrete, returning to NASCAR's roots and adding variety to the schedule. In 2024, the track returned to its concrete configuration for both annual NASCAR weekends.

Signature Events

Bristol hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races annually that have become fixtures on the racing calendar. The Food City 500 takes place in the spring, while the Bass Pro Shops Night Race occurs in late summer. The night race, run under the lights, has gained status as a "crown jewel" event in NASCAR and often features dramatic moments that shape the championship battle. Beyond NASCAR Cup Series races, the track hosts events for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and other racing divisions. The facility also includes Bristol Dragway, known as "Thunder Valley," which hosts NHRA drag racing events.

Notable Moments and Features

Bristol has been the stage for many memorable NASCAR moments, including Dale Earnhardt's first Cup Series win in 1979 and numerous controversial finishes. The 1995 night race featured Dale Earnhardt Sr. spinning Terry Labonte on the final lap to take the win. In 2010, Kyle Busch made history as the first driver to win all three NASCAR national series races (Truck, Xfinity, Cup) in the same weekend. The track features two pit roads to accommodate all teams on the short circuit, a unique configuration in NASCAR. The close confines and high speeds create an extremely loud environment during races, with the sound reverberating off the stadium walls. In 2016, Bristol Motor Speedway hosted the "Battle at Bristol" college football game between Tennessee and Virginia Tech, setting an NCAA attendance record with 156,990 fans. This event showcased the versatility of this remarkable racing facility that continues to be one of the most popular stops on the NASCAR circuit.