August is on its way… and yes, we have tickets

Wow, it’s been way too long since we’ve posted on the blog. Sorry ’bout that, but man it’s been busy around here. Since March we’ve hosted a variety of events across the creek at the Dragway — including the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals last month. A big congrats to Tony Schumacher, John Force and Mike Edwards who took home the wins in NHRA’s top classes at Bristol.

Now for some Speedway stuff. While we haven’t hosted any major events since Jimmy Johnson grabbed the checkered flag in the Food City 500, there has been quite a bit happening in, around and on the concrete oval. Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on the infield project, which includes a new media center, inspection area and Goodyear Tire building.

Outside of that, we’ve been visited twice by drivers from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series testing tires for Hoosier. And also, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Denny Hamlin, Juan Pablo Montoya, David Ragan and Scott Speed completed a two-day tire test for Goodyear here at BMS last week. Check out video comments from Hamlin and Ragan.

Most importantly we’ve been working hard to sell August tickets. We’re finding that after 55 straight sell-outs it’s still hard for some folks to believe they can actually get tickets.

I got this e-mail from Cheryl Williams today, one of our fan advisory board members, who went to Daytona last weekend. It reads, “Hey Ben, I won some free tickets to Daytona, and wore my Bristol visor to the race. Lots of people told me Bristol is one track they want to go to before they die. They couldn’t believe it when I told them they could get tickets. I found it overwhelming at how many people didn’t know Bristol had night race tickets for sale. Of course I told them to go to the website, buy tickets and pass the word.”

Thanks to Cheryl for being a great Bristol ambassador. Now you folks do the same and tell all your race luvin’ buddies we still have IRWIN Tools Night Race tickets for sale. Just call toll-free 1.866.415.4158 or buy online.

Remember, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and we’ll be talkin’ to you again soon.

Music for a Bristol state of mind

No clue if you’re like me or not. But when it comes to big events, special happenings and grand occasions, I just have to have the right music.

No doubt it probably dates back to my days as a football player, when it was a must to have the right tunes thundering through my ears just to get me in that “right” frame of mind. It’s something that has carried over for years.

If I’m heading to a football game, concert or even a night out on the town… The tunes are crucial. Well, for all you die-hards heading to Bristol for the Sharpie 500, this is an absolute must — especially for (but certainly not limited to) campers and tailgaters.

In cooperation with Banshee Music, Bristol Motor Speedway has produced a 12-track CD entitled BRISTOL NIGHTS. From Country to Rock and everything in between, this variety of “everything Bristol” songs is guaranteed to get you race ready.

I’m particularly fond of “Hammer Down” which I’m going to proclaim as the official song of Jelloville, and “Racin’ the Way It Ought’a Be!”

The CD will be available here at BMS on race weekend, but trust me when I say, “You need to download it now.” It’s available for download at iTunes and Amazon. Download it, crank it up and let’s get ready for some serious Bristol!

DOWNLOAD on iTUNES

DOWNLOAD on AMAZON

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How’d you get your Bristol tickets? This guy…

The stories are legendary. Over the years, race fans have endured, sacrificed, waited and literally fought over season tickets to Bristol Motor Speedway races. They’ve been won in poker games, awarded in divorce settlements and passed along in the last will and testament of a few.

But now, getting your hands on tickets for both the March and August race weekends is as simple as you’ll see in this TV spot. For the first time, in a long, long time, Bristol Motor Speedway has season tickets available for purchase. Just visit BristolTix.com to get yours now.

Bristol’s 2008 Sharpie 500 up for Race of the Year!

The 2008 running of the Sharpie 500 is among seven races nominated for the Race of the Year on RacingOne.com.

Of course, we’re partial but feel free to cast your vote now.

Carl Edwards grabbed the checkered flag in the classic night race as following the event’s final restart, he gave leader Kyle Busch the “Bristol bump-n-run.” The win marked Edwards sixth of the season.

In typical Bristol fashion, action continued on the track after the checkered flag waved. Busch, obviously upset with the passing tactic of Edwards, drove his car into the side of Edwards’ car on the cool down lap. Edwards joined the game of “tag” and returned a nudge to the No. 18 M&M’s Toyota.

In addition to some great side-by-side racing, the Sharpie 500 also featured it’s own version of “the big one” with a Lap 216 multi-car crash that had its share of Chase implications — in particular for Kasey Kahne.

For more on the Sharpie 500, read NASCAR.com’s event recap.

One of the coolest photos I’ve ever seen!

Nearly a month after the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and the photos continue arrive in our inbox. The below photo comes to us from the Red Bull Air Force. The team jumped into the BMS bowl prior to the NASCAR Nationwide Food City 250 and the Sprint Cup Series Sharpie 500 last month. They were “extreme” to say the least.

The members of the Red Bull Air Force work together in the air to create amazing aerobatic shows and they did just that at Bristol. Read more about them here. You also can check out a larger version on our Flickr page.

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