Ya just gotta love the fans

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it over, and over again… Race fans are just great people.  And I truly believe Bristol has the best fans you’ll find anywhere, in any sport.  One place you’ll find a bunch of active Bristol fans is over on the BMS Message Board.  Quite a few fans hang out there, and discuss all things Bristol.

Back on July 24th, a fan (we’ll call her Suz) put up a post inviting fellow message-boarders to her campsite for a Food City 250 post-race get-together.  To date, that post has garnered 19,026 views and 1,791 replies (and still counting upon last check).  Wow!

So here’s what we did.  Because her post became so popular, we made up a plaque that reads “Bristol Motor Speedway Fan Forum Post of the Year” and presented it to her at her campsite following the Busch race last Friday night.  A few of us from BMS made the trek over to her campsite.  It was great putting faces with names from the message board.

Yep, it was a large time.  Congrats again Suz for keeping the fires burning, and thanks to all you Bristol fans, who make working at BMS such a pleasure!

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Cleaning up the house… inside and out

Another Bristol Augsut Race Week week has come to an end. Hopefully you fans that visited made it home safe and sound. Now many of you might think my colleagues and I are resting today, or even taking the day off, but that idea is pretty far from the truth.

The majority of us were back in the office or on property (many were even here yesterday) laboring to get this place to look like new for our many fans that stop by the other 50 weeks of the year we don’t have NASCAR sanctioned events visiting the World’s Fastest Half-Mile.

In fact racing events are resuming this weekend across the creek at Bristol Dragway. Although it would seem like we have two big weekends a year to prepare for, most weekends from March – October you can smell the distinct scent of racing fuel and hear the engines rumble through Thunder Valley.

It was great to see everyone this weekend and we can’t wait to see you in March but if ever get the itch or you are in the area stop by because something is always happening at Bristol!

Thanks fans!

Without a doubt, Bristol Motor Speedway has the best race fans in the world.  August Race Week is always special and the fans truly are the reason that makes Bristol the venue it is.

On Saturday night, Bristol fans took it to yet another level, as they earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, by staging the world’s largest audience participation card stunt during pre-race ceremonies for the sold-out Sharpie 500.

Great job fans!

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I had a crazy dream last night

I know y’all are gonna think I’m nuts. In fact, you’ll probably wonder where in the world the folks in the little white coats are gonna find a straight-jacket that’ll fit me (I’m a large dude). 

But anyway, on with the details… I had this incredible dream last night.  Get this… I was at Bristol Motor Speedway attending the Food City 250 Busch Series race.  I was stoked.  I mean, hey, it’s Bristol baby!  I was ready for my Bristol — full of plenty of excitement, bump-and-run racin’.  And right there is where the dream gets interesting. 

The green flag waved, Jeff Burton immediately went toward the outside wall.  I thought to myself… what a bad break for him… he’s cut down a tire on the first lap.  “Don’t hit the wall, Jeff,” I screamed.  But as he inched up the track, he straightened the wheel and started running up there near George’s freshly painted wall. What?  He can’t last up there.  What (again)?  He’s gaining ground.  He can’t pass up there. My chin was on the row of seats in front of me. 

Lap-after-lap, not only did he run a high line, but so did the others.  And not just a high line… but a middle line… and a low line.  And there was rubbin’ (rubbin’ is racin’, ya know). Sparks flyin’.  And then the race’s last 30 laps were like something that might as well been part of “Days of Thunder.” Cars divin’ low… cars flyin’ high.  The whole crowd was on its collective feet.  Three-wide! Three-and-a-half wide! I could hear the crowd above the noise of the cars.  I was in racin’ heaven.  It was racin’ at Bristol like I hadn’t seen it years.  It was classic. 

It was, well… It was “racin’ the way it ought’a be!”

It was a dream come true.

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Happy campers — gotta love ‘em!

There was a time I thought the term Happy Campers was just a colloquialism.   This morning gave me the true meaning of Happy Campers.   I’m a year round employee of Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, so I’m here a lot. 

But this week, I have been staying in a RV at the track.  So this morning I woke up about six, threw some water on my face, downed a Misty Mountain Water and a Red Bull energy drink and went out for a short jog.  As I ran through the camp grounds, I was struck by the number of fans who were already up and about. 

The morning aroma or bacon frying on the grill was everywhere, as was the smiling faces of Happy Campers.   While many folks back in the real world were griping and complaining about having to get up, shower and go to work, endure the heat and humidity of late August, these people all were happy.  I mean these folks were at Bristol and they were truly enjoying the Bristol Experience. 

They were so happy, they were infectious.   As I drug my nearly 60-year-old body the last 15 minutes or so of my run, I had a little extra bounce to my step; I said good morning to a lot of fans; and those fans put a smile on my face.  I mean how could I not smile?  There were Happy Campers everywhere.

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