August 2015 Event Information
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
August 2015 Event Information th Wednesday, August 19 doubleheader night of racing 6:00pm Bush’s Beans 150 - Whelen Modified Series race 8:00pm UNOH 200 presented by Z-Loop – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race Thursday, August 20th events just for the fans! 1:00pm – 9:00pm Food City Race Night in downtown Bristol 8:30pm The Night Race 5k benefitting Speedway Children’s Charities 9:00pm Transporter Parade Friday, August 21st drivers battle for starting order and their place in Victory Lane 4:00pm – 5:00pm Bass Pro Shops Qualifying 7:30pm Food City 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race nd Saturday, August 22 the ultimate August event 7:30pm IRWIN Tools Night Race NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Tickets: 423-BRISTOL or toll-free 866-415-4158 Online: bristolmotorspeedway.com August 2015 Events Items of Interest/ Significant Storylines Jeff Gordon’s Final Bristol Ride The Car: Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 “Rainbow” paint scheme is one of the most iconic in NASCAR history, and it will appear on Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet SS one last time – at the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Gordon will return to the seat of this car under the lights on August 22nd when he goes for his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win here. The Fan Tribute: All fans in attendance at the IRWIN Tools Night Race will be given a rally towel with Jeff Gordon’s number 24 printed on it when they enter the gates. On Lap 24, fans will be led in a stadium-wide effort to wave the towels in the air for the duration of the lap as a tribute to Gordon as he makes his last Bristol race before retirement. The Tailgate Party: Prior to the start of the IRWIN Tools Night Race, Bristol will host the “Pepsi Pre-Race Tailgate Celebrating Jeff Gordon”. The VIP experience will take place in Bristol’s Hospitality Village from 1pm on Saturday, August 22nd until the start of the race and will include an appearance by Gordon and other NASCAR personalities and special guests. Fans may purchase the Tailgate package, which features a grandstand ticket to the race, access into the VIP area and $20 in food credit to use inside the Tailgate tent. Souvenir Shopping Changes Fans will notice that souvenir shopping is a bit different in August when the new NASCAR “Trackside Superstore” makes its first appearance at Bristol. The massive retail model will eventually replace the traditional souvenir trailers that have been standard trackside shopping setups for two decades. The new superstore shopping experience will centralize souvenir offerings inside an enormous tent-style structure and offer merchandise from 58 NASCAR drivers and 25 teams. The entire Superstore covers 60,000 square feet of shopping and checkout space - roughly the size of 1.5 football fields. Haulers and trailers for scanner rentals and other merchandise, including Bristol-specific souvenirs, will still be located around the track and outside of the Superstore. Your Market Includes Fans Readying For A Road Trip To Bristol Last August, fans from all 50 states and 25 foreign countries attended the night races, and this August is shaping up to attract a similar crowd. * Let us know if you’d like details of the fans who have purchased tickets from your DMA; we’ll work with you to facilitate feature stories and segments. August 2015 Events Items of Interest/ Significant Storylines (continued) Pre-Race Ceremonies Packed With School Pride and Song Picks On Saturday, pre-race ceremonies for the IRWIN Tools Night Race will include a performance by The University of Tennessee’s Pride of the Southland Marching Band. The ensemble of musicians will treat fans to their trademark rendition of the school’s fight song, Rocky Top. Then, the drivers of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will take the spotlight for Bristol’s legendary Driver Introductions. Michael Buffer, the man who made famous the phrase “Let’s get ready to rumble!” will lend his trademark voice to the show again this year. He’ll host the parade of racing superstars, where songs hand-picked by each driver will reveal their identity to the crowd. Fans In Your Area Help Make Bristol Better Each NASCAR race weekend, fans from across the world make the pilgrimage to Bristol Motor Speedway to experience the on-track battles at The Last Great Colosseum. But a select group makes the trek with an additional responsibility on their shoulders – to speak with track officials on behalf of all other ticketholders about their experience. Bristol was the first race track to create a Fan Advisory Board, whose Members and Executive Committee participate in monthly conference calls and twice-yearly on-site meetings to provide fan-focused feedback. Since its creation, the FAB’s suggestions, insight and inquiries have been responsible for several improvements and customer service initiatives. * We’re more than happy to connect you with Fan Advisory Board members who live in or have ties to your area. Bristol App and Bristol LIVE Radio Keep Fans Informed During Events Bristol Motor Speedway guests attending the IRWIN Tools Night Race will be able to stay up-to-date on every aspect of the race weekend activities with two key services – the Bristol App and Bristol LIVE Radio. For users with iPhone or Android devices, the free app is updated in real-time with event schedules, ticket information, the latest news, entertainment options, photos, maps, directions, as well as live audio of race broadcasts. Guests who download the app and register in the application are able to gain access to customized features and communications as well. The Bristol LIVE radio broadcast is a key source of convenient information for fans as well. The broadcast is a mix of behind-the-scenes interviews, up-to-date information about everything taking place at the race track each day, updates on appearances and schedules and live conversations with drivers and NASCAR personalities. Hosted by long-time Bristol Motor Speedway announcer Tom Taylor, Bristol LIVE radio has become a must-have companion for race fans who want the latest weather updates, music and answers to questions posted on Bristol’s social media channels. In August, Bristol LIVE can be heard on Racing Electronics scanners at frequency 454.5000, through the Bristol Mobile App and on local broadcast stations103.3 FM, 100.7 FM, 1230 AM and 870 AM. August 2015 Events Items of Interest/ Significant Storylines (continued) Speedway Economic Impact Figures released by representatives from the Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce in spring of 2015 highlighted the extensive and positive economic impact Bristol Motor Speedway has on the region. According to the combined research, the direct economic impact of Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway totaled more than $417 million for 2012 through 2014. This figure was derived from racing and ancillary activities held on-site, charitable events, contributions and tax revenue. The indirect economic impact of the venue totaled more than $1.4 billion moving through the regional economy. The Chamber noted that a secondary economic bump will take place in less than a year-and-a-half when the Battle at Bristol takes place. At that time, the iconic NASCAR short track will transform into college football's largest venue for what’s billed as ‘College Football’s Biggest Game Ever’. It takes place on Sept. 10, 2016 when BMS will host Virginia Tech and the University of Tennessee in the Battle at Bristol. The Chamber study revealed that the event is expected to provide a direct impact of $125 million to the local economy, along with an indirect impact of more than $439 million. The Battle at Bristol Excitement continues to build as the clock ticks down towards the 2016 Battle at Bristol, College Football’s Biggest Ever matchup. History will be made when the World’s Fastest Half Mile hosts a border battle decades in the making between Virginia Tech and the University of Tennessee on Sept. 10, 2016. Expected to draw more than 150,000 fans, the iconic NASCAR short track will transform into college football's largest venue within an estimated two-week timeframe following its August NASCAR race weekend. The Battle at Bristol football game is on track to crush the current NCAA single-game attendance record of 115,109, which was set in September 2013 at Michigan Stadium. Fans can get the latest information about the Battle at Bristol by calling the Speedway Ticket Office toll-free at 866-415- 4158, by visiting BattleAtBristol.com or by visiting Facebook.com/BattleAtBristol. FAQ’s The Fan Info section of bristolmotorspeedway.com contains answers to the most frequently asked fan questions. Short videos with Miss ZMax Christina Davidson explain what fans are allowed and not allowed to bring into the stands, the best ways to get around the area, where to park, area information and more. August 2015 Speedway Trivia 1) Question: Which driver went to Victory Lane by winning the 2014 IRWIN Tools Night Race in Bristol? Answer: Joey Logano, driving the No. 22 Shell/ Pennzoil Ford 2) Question: Who was on the pole for that race? Answer: Kevin Harvick, driving the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. He broke a track record during qualifying with a speed of 131.362 miles per hour around the half-mile high-banked oval. 3) Question: What driver came from the furthest back in the field to ultimately win the Night Race at Bristol? Answer: Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2004. He started the race in 30th. 4) Question: Who or What is Bristol Motor Speedway’s mascot? Answer: There are two of them! “Bump” and “Run” are brother and sister raccoons.