It was classic Bristol. A bump-and-run pass for the lead allowed Carl Edwards to go on to capture his second consecutive Sharpie 500 win. The bumping wasn’t over as on the cool-down lap Kyle Busch let Edwards know he wasn’t all too happy with the way Edwards got around him.
Here’s what the drivers had to say after the race during the Sharpie 500 post-race press conference. Click on each image to play the videos.
Wow… Just a few days ago I was writing about August race week and how it clearly is my favorite time of the year. I have to be honest with you in letting you know that this week – the week after – is one of my not-so-favorite times of the year.
It has nothing to with the massive clean-up task under way at the track and its surrounding grounds. It certainly doesn’t have anything to do with the mound of administrative follow-up work that must be completed this week.
So what makes this week so tough to handle? It’s simple. You are not here.
There’s a lot of things that make race week special. But what makes it great is you — the fans!
So to that end and on behalf of everyone here at Bristol Motor Speedway, we offer up a hearty “Thank You” for visiting us last week and know that we cannot wait to do it again!
ADMIN NOTE: I love it when fans write in with blog-worthy stuff. This post comes to us from Bristol die-hard, Debbie Sutherland from Jackson, Mississippi.
Good Morning’ Ben!
Wow, you see flags everywhere here at Bristol. I put together a little something (poetry fashion, as that is the way I express) about flags. Feel free to share. Here it goes…
Bristol Flags
En-route to the track,
It’s a long haul ahead.
No rest for the weary
Lord get us to bed.
Checkin’ out your neighbors,
Who’s here from last year?
Yee ha it’s a miracle.
We’re finally here!
You set up your “camp”
Everything just “so”
It’s finally become time
To bring out the “show!”
Searching your storage
For that “Pole” tucked away
It’s just a matter of time
Before it’s on display.
Strategically hanging flags
One by one,
Who has the most?
Who’ll be out-done!
Climbing up that ladder
One wrung at a time
You’re goin’ for height
It’ll win everytime!!
A 20 foot pole is pretty much the norm’
But a 40’s much better
‘Cause there’s always room…
For just ONE MORE!
Woo-Hoo!!! Bristol Rocks Ben!
Pole Position Campground Rocks too!
Debbie Sutherland
Jackson, MS
COMMENT ON THIS POST
So, one of my favorite days of race week is — of course — the first day of on-track racin’. I love driving to Bristol Motor Speedway early in the morning and seeing the fans getting their day started, watching the team members walk into the Speedway, see the sun rise over a sea of campers surrounding “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.”
And I love driving down into the infield and seeing the track as it is before the thunder hits the valley. There’s kind of an eerie calm about it. So quiet, so peaceful. Yet I know that in a very short time, Bristol will roar to life with three incredible days of “racin’ the way it ought’a be!” Welcome to race week. It’s Bristol baby!
Bristol Motor Speedway is buzzin’ right now as August race week has officially arrived! As you can clearly see from the photo, a host of race fans already have made their way to Bristol.
It’s our favorite time of the year as three nights of racin’ highlight a busy, busy week. On the track, fans can catch the O’Reilly 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series Aaron’s 150 on Wednesday night (August 20). The NASCAR Nationwide Series takes on the concrete oval on Friday (August 22) in the Food City 250; a day that also features Hot Shot Qualifying for both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races. Then on Saturday (August 23), it’s the granddaddy of them all – the Sharpie 500 presented by THE NEW Sharpie Pen.
We know that the racin’ is the main ingredient of Bristol’s race week recipe, but a full week of activities throughout BMS property and the Tri-Cities region give fans plenty to choose from to make the most of the Bristol experience. Here are a few items you may want to consider adding to your race week to-do list:
Monday, Aug. 18
Appalachian Fair, Gray, Tenn. – Catch more Country Music with recording artist Tracy Lawrence.
Tuesday, Aug. 19
Rev-It-Up Party at Hooters in Johnson City (2288 N. Roan Street). Come and join the fun with Hooters and WQUT Tri-Cities Classic Rock. Truck Series driver Stacy Compton will visit, along with a host of drivers from the Hooters Pro Cup Series.
Thursday, Aug. 21
Food City Family Race Night, 1-9 p.m., State Street, downtown Bristol. Kasey Kahne and Kevin Harvick headline a long list of Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series driver autograph sessions. The event also includes live entertainment, show cars, interactive displays and more.
Eastman Motorsports Club Racing Memorabilia Auction, 6 p.m., 3rd Floor, O. Bruton Smith Building, Bristol Motor Speedway – Looking for that perfect item to complete your collection? From sheet metal to autographed jackets, you can bid on it here. Proceeds benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.
Blue Lizard NASCAR Transporter Parade, 9 p.m., Volunteer Parkway, Bristol – A race week tradition, the colorful haulers make a 10-mile trek from Bristol Mall to the Speedway. Remember, Gate 10 will be open if you want to come inside and watch the haulers park following the parade.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Free Concert with Flynnville Train, GAC Stage, 1:30 p.m. – Get your race day rockin’ with the hard-driving Southern Rock tunes of Flynnville Train. The free show will take place in the Fan Display Area near the pedestrian bridge between the Speedway and Dragway.
Sunday, Aug. 24
Richard Petty Driving Experience Ride-Alongs, 8 a.m. – noon, BMS Infield – Stick around on Sunday and experience what your favorite drivers experienced the night before. Wanna see how fun it is? Check out this video.
And of course, while your hear please feel free to shop all the driver souvenir trailers, visit Speedway World Gift Shop in the O. Bruton Smith Building and check out the Fan Display Area full of fun things to do located in the lot between the Speedway and Bristol Dragway.
We hope everyone has a great race week!
