Bristol Irwin Tools Night Race

Bristol Irwin Tools 500 --- Bristol Motor Speedway

As the Chase for the Championship begins to take shape the NASCAR season takes you to Bristol, Tennessee and one of the most exciting racetracks this country has to offer. Bristol Motor Speedway is one of the shortest tracks on the NASCAR circuit, checking in at only one half of a mile. Don’t be turned off by slower speeds, as Bristol’s bumper-to-bumper action makes this race possibly the most exciting of the NASCAR schedule.  With banked turns reaching up to 36 degrees, Bristol stakes its claim as the fastest of all of NASCARs short tracks.

Bristol straddles the state line between Tennessee and Virginia, and serves as a quaint home to 25,000 Volunteer state residents. Officially recognized as the “Birthplace of Country Music,” Bristol offers travelers the chance to visit the site where artists such as Jimmie Rodgers, Uncle Charlie Osborne, as well as the Carter family all got their start. Their work and the work of many others is showcased at the Cultural Heritage Center, which also holds musical performances throughout the year.

As you take in the race, impress your friends with this bit of trivia: Bristol Motor Speedway is the largest amphitheater in the world. The completely enclosed venue seats 165,000 fans, which creates an atmosphere that is recognized throughout the racing world as one of the most electric in the country.  Early in his career, Jeff Gordon dominated on this track, but recently Kurt Busch has been the man to catch, winning five races in all at this track since 2002. One thing is certain; a race at Bristol is a unique and unforgettable experience, see for yourself at this year’s Bristol Irwin Tools 500.