Battle At Bristol The BIGGEST College Football Game Ever
2013 IRWIN Tools Night Race Excitement At Every Turn
Ford Speedway In Lights 2013 Holiday Season
BRISTOL MAGAZINE WINTER 2013
Section Title
Story Title
America’s Best-Selling Brand.
SECTION SUBHEAD
*
*Based on 2013 CY sales to date.
B
Winter 2013
Contents
FEATURES
10
16
20
34
3
6
28
Jerry’s Letter August and More...
30
Staff Profile Event Staff
Chow Down... Great JC Resturants
38
Season Tickets NEW Incentive for 2014
39
August Fan Photos From Fan Focus Photos
“It’s Bristol Baby” Whole New Level
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
1
Section Title
Story Title
Bristol’s best drivers count on us for their care.
SECTION SUBHEAD
So can you.
The exclusive medical care provider for Bristol Motor Speedway • Infield care center • Five fan care centers • WellmontOne and Med-Flight II air transport services • Regional EMS partners • Two fully equipped trauma centers just minutes away • Lifesaving automatic external defibrillators provided courtesy of Philips Healthcare • WellmontOne base located at the speedway
For healing. For health. For life. wellmont.org 2
Winter 2013
/wellmont
@wellmontHealth
Letter From Jerry
August and Beyond
Dear Bristol Family, I hope you are doing well this fall. As we at Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway prepare for another winter here in Thunder Valley, we need to take time to say thanks for the many blessings of another incredibly successful racing season. Let’s start with August Race Week. Man, what a week! We are so humbled and honored that you continue to choose Bristol year after year. We had folks from all 50 states and a record 19 foreign countries join us for what has truly become THE greatest family reunion in all of sports. One main highlight for me, other than seeing all of you, included the amazing Pre-Race festivities at the IRWIN Tools Night Race including a concert by Hank Williams Jr., The Pride of the Southland Marching Band from the University of Tennessee, 300 IRWIN Tools Tradesmen giving the command to fire the engines, the children singing the National Anthem and Michael Buffer getting us ready to rumble. Oh and there was racing too! From Wednesday’s epic TitanRoof 150/UNOH 200 Whelen Modified and Truck Series doubleheader, to Friday’s jam-packed race day with Sharpie Qualifying and the Food City 250 Nationwide Series race all the way to simply the best race in NASCAR, the IRWIN Tools Night Race, the week could not have gone any better. But even as we celebrate another incredible week at the Last Great Colosseum, we now turn our attention to Ford Speedway in Lights. In a very short time between September and November, our facility magically morphs into a winter wonderland and best of all is that it benefits the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities and thousands of children in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. If you have not seen Speedway in Lights, skated around the Johnson Controls Ice Rink or flown down the HVAC Chill Hill Tube slide, I encourage you to make the trip this year. It’s something you do not want to miss and you support a great cause by attending. Last but certainly not least, we are excited to announce that the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech have agreed to play in the Battle at Bristol on September 10, 2016, the biggest college football game ever. The dreams of many, including our Chairman Bruton Smith and our late President and General Manager Jeff Byrd, are coming to fruition with this announcement and we hope you will join us for this historic event. For more details on the Battle at Bristol Football game and how you can guarantee your tickets today, please turn to page 10. Once again, thank you for choosing Bristol and we will see you soon! Sincerely,
Jerry Caldwell EVP & General Manager Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
3
Contents
DEPARTMENTS
Now with even MORE ways to SAVE! Earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on groceries at Food City.
PLUS!
Earn 50 bonus points when you fill any qualifying prescription.
PLUS!
Earn 100 bonus points when you purchase $50 in selected gift cards.
NOW! Earn 150 MEGA 2.57 POINTS when you MEGA FUEL Mix and Match any 1.89 150 5 specially marked participating items.
SAMPLE PRODUCT
REG
WITH CARD 1.89
18 OZ PLAS
.11
PER OZ
000-45300-0000-40
999999
0
20090927
G
Low Price
05
BUCKS
BUY 5 PARTICIPATING ITEMS RECEIVE
SAVE .68 WITH CARD
FUEL BUCKS POINTS
PARTICIPATING ITEM
SAVE!
Redeem 150 points to save 15¢ per gallon up to 20 gallons.
151 Speedway Blvd. Bristol, Tenn. 37620 P.O. Box 3966 Bristol, Tenn., 37625
Call Toll Free
855-773-5324 Visit Us
Chairman/CEO...........................O. Bruton Smith EVP/General Manager................... Jerry Caldwell VP/General Counsel....................... Julie Bennett VP/Consumer Group...................Logan McCabe VP/Finance........................................... Fred King VP/Ops. & Development................ Scott Hatcher VP/Safety & Asset Management........Dede Hash VP/Ticketing Operations................. Evelyn Hicks VP/Corporate Sales......................... Greg Harvey VP/Tickets and Guest Relations........... Ben Trout VP/Events.......................................Tanyua Kerns Sr. Dir. Operations...............................Billy Kerns Sr. Dir. Brand Management.............Drew Bedard Dir. Ticket Sales............................. Landon Owen COMMUNICATIONS VP/Communications..................... Kevin Triplett Manager/Communications.........Lynsey Wilson BRISTOL MAGAZINE Magazine Editor...........................Drew Bedard Copy Editor................................Lynsey Wilson Graphics/Design........................Patrick Savage Bristol Motor Speedway is a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, LLC. Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company owns and operates the following premiere speedways: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiary, and manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars through its 600 Racing subsidiary. The Company also owns Performance Racing Network (PRN), which broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to more than 725 radio stations nationwide including Sirius and NASCAR. com. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.gospeedway.com.
www.bristolmotorspeedway.com www.bristoldragway.com
Follow Us @BMSupdates
Pin with Us BMSupdates
View Us ThunderValley
Like Us BristolMotorSpeedway
Do you have article ideas or comments for upcoming issues?
For a limited time. Restrictions apply.
4
Winter 2013
Send your suggestions to: Drew Bedard dbedard@bristolmotorspeedway.com
SECTION SUBHEAD
Section Title
Story Title
w w w.olesmokymoonshine.com 息2013 Ole Smoky Distillery, LLC. All rights reserved. Ole Smoky速, Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine速, and Shine Responsibly速, are all registered trademarks owned by Ole Smoky Distillery, LLC.
official moonshine sponsor
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
5
RESTURANT REVIEW
Contest
Johnson City’s Finest
By: Fred King
Three Fun Restaurants in Johnson City, Tennessee You come to the races to have a good time, right? Well, for this magazine I thought I’d share with you three of my favorite restaurants in Johnson City, Tennessee that pretty much offer the total package … great food and an ambience that is enjoyable. At least for me they are, and I’m a pretty normal person, just like you. You are normal, aren’t you? First on the list is Cootie Browns on Roan Street. Walking into Cootie Browns is much like entering a cartoon. Cootie’s is a bright yellow building with all kinds of bright fresco-like scenes painted both inside and outside using every color known to man (and I think a couple not known, which are now being studied by the Bureau of Colors in Washington DC). All the furniture is similarly painted, and, all in all, it’s a pretty wild place to have a very unusual, but good pre or post-race meal. Their menu touts that they feature foods from different parts of the country and world including Jamaica, New Orleans, California, Italy and Mexico. It’s not very expensive and it’s always crowded at race time; so when you’re not being mesmerized by the wild décor, you can meet some new friends (who are normal, just like us). Just up the road on Roan is another favorite of mine, Smokey Bones Barbeque. As a matter of fact, Judy and I went there for dinner recently and had a great time. What makes Smokey’s kind of neat is that it’s a sports bar without really being a sports bar. There are televisons all over the place and each booth has its own speaker system which allows you to select sound for the eight or so different things being shown on the various screens. You can keep up with all the games, or if you’re like me, you can turn off the sound and have a stimulating conversation with your wife. I was pretty hungry the last time I was there and ordered the combo barbeque plate … three meat items, not two (pulled pork, baby back ribs and brisket). Like any other place it can be as expensive as you make it; and last time I made it pretty expensive.
6
Winter 2013
Finally, I would also recommend Poblanos (on Boones Creek Road just across from the Cracker Barrel.) Now this is my all-time favorite Mexican restaurant. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, boy this guy sure has a lot of favorite restaurants. Well, you’re right, I do, and this is one of them. What makes this restaurant so good, and what makes it so much fun, you ask? Well, it’s the margaritas!!!! They are simply the best anywhere. I like them with a lot of salt and they deliver the goods. They have one called the “Monster Margarita” which is huge! Poblanos also features the best Guacamole made fresh at your table to your specifications. Finally, unlike most Mexican restaurants, you can just order a two or three item combination by telling them what you want included; no more looking through a list of #1 thru #40 of every possible combination. I never could figure that out…it’s just so much easier this way. Now that I’ve set you up with three great places to eat in Johnson City while you’re in town, how would you like a chance to dine with me and Judy during August race week (on my nickel) at one of the finest restaurants in the area? Well if you do, enter my contest, “Heck Yeah, I want to Chow Down With My Hero, Fred”, before the end of July 2014. I’ll take three lucky couples (three winners and each of their guests) out on the town the Thursday night of the big August race week. I’ll pick you up in my private limo and we’ll head off to eat at one of the finest restaurants in the Tri-City area. They’ll be some other surprises (ok, I’ll tell you – you and your guest will receive really nice gift bags loaded with over $250 worth of neat BMS gear), and we will have a great time. Oh yeah, you and your guest will also receive pit pass access to the infield on Saturday afternoon of the big race. What else would you expect … it’s August at Bristol! So e-mail me at fred@bristolmotorspeedway. com and tell me why you want to chow down with me, in style, on Thursday night of the IRWIN Tools Night Race event week.
Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock Blue Ridge Mountain Holiday Package Join us in North Carolina’s majestic Blue Ridge Mountains this holiday season and enjoy Chetola’s Festival of Lights featuring thousands of dazzling illuminations. Your Holiday Package includes: • Discounted accommodations in Chetola Lodge, The Bob Timberlake Inn or a Condominium • $25 Gift Card to Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Resort • $25 Gift Card to Tanger Outlets (next door to Chetola)
December 1-24, 2013 2 night Packages from $329
800-243-8652 | www.chetola.com
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
7
The Oberheim Family
MEMBER PROFILE
iBelong
iBelong Member Profile
IS T O L S E A S
O
BR
N
TI BELONG MEMBERS: THE OBERHEIM FAMILY
CK
E T HO L DE R
CITY: KODAK, TENNESSEE – PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA – MICHIGAN IBELONG HISTORY: SEASON TICKET HOLDER SINCE 2005; ATTENDING BRISTOL EVENTS SINCE 2001 FAMILY: STEVE, DIANN, TYLER, RAELYNN, SKIP, ROZ, CHRIS, KELLY
B
eing iBelong season ticket holders truly is a family affair for the Oberheims. Four generations strong, these folks have a fond appreciation for Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol Dragway and northeast Tennessee. Steve Oberheim calls himself a halfback. Born and raised in Michigan, moved to Port Charlotte, Florida and now calls Kodak, Tennessee home. From Michigan to Florida and halfway back to the Volunteer State, this group converges on Bristol for NASCAR and NHRA race weekends, as well as Speedway In Lights and other events. Q: Why is Bristol special for you? A: Friends from Kentucky brought us to our first Bristol race in 2000 and we were instantly hooked. The staff is incredible. The racing is awesome. And the relationships you form with other fans from all over the nation allow you to develop bonds that will last forever.
8
Winter 2013
We camp at the Bristol Dragway Campground. The camping experience definitely makes Bristol even more special. We usually arrive a week or so early for each event. It’s worth it just to come up and spend the week in the campground. The racing is just icing on the cake. We come to the spring race weekend, the NHRA event and the August NASCAR weekend. We also hit Speedway In Lights when we can. We love this place. Q: What is your most memorable Bristol experience? A: Wow, there’s so many it’s hard to name just one. About ten years ago our son Tyler (his first race) collapsed prior to the race and had to go to the hospital. He ended up in the emergency room lying on a bed next to Kyle Petty who had wrecked during the event at Bristol. Be it NASCAR or NHRA, all of the great races we’ve seen stand out and are special. Of course we can’t forget “Captain Wild Bill” from The Deadliest Catch stopping
by our camper two days in a row for a cold beer last August. Q: What are your favorite Bristol events? A: We love the August NASCAR weekend and the NHRA weekend. The night racing combined with all of the special events like the Transporter Parade, make August really special. But the NHRA event also stands out. It is so cool that every ticket is also a pit pass. We love the fact that NHRA drivers are so approachable and are so accommodating to the fans. All of the fans that attend to Bristol NASCAR races should also hit the NHRA weekend. Q: What do you tell others when talking about Bristol? A: You gotta go! It’s the best racing. The best staff. The best experience, plain and simple. We gave up our Daytona and Talladega tickets and have settled on Bristol as our one and only track.
Bristol
Motor Speedway
championship series
The Oshkosh families of Fire & Emergency and Access vehicles are proud to set the pace in performance and response. With every turn, we are there. And in every circle we run, we lead. That’s the power of Oshkosh.
Pierce and Jerr-Dan are Oshkosh Corporation Companies. www.piercemfg.com / www.jerr-dan.com
©2013 PIERCE, JERR-DAN AND THEIR RESPECTIVE LOGOS ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF PIERCE MANUFACTURING AND JERR-DAN CORPORATION, RESPECTIVELY. BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY is a registered trademark of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. used with permission.
®
®
®
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
9
UPCOMING EVENT
Feature
Battle At Bristol
10
Winter 2013
Feature
Battle At Bristol
UPCOMING EVENT
Battle At Bristol The University of Tennesee, Virginia Tech and Bristol Motor Speedway Announce College Football’s Biggest Game Story By: David McGee Photos By: Getty Images
Bristol Motor Speedway always does things in a big way, so it’s no surprise the “Last Great Colosseum” now plans to shatter the college football attendance record when it hosts the Battle At Bristol.
reality,” SMI President and Chief Operating Officer Marcus Smith said during the announcement. Officials of both universities had nothing but praise for the event.
A crowd of about 150,000 is expected when “I’ve been blessed to be a part of some the University of Tennessee faces Virginia big football games at some outstanding Tech on September 10, 2016, in an event venues but nothing rises to the level of what some 17 years in the making. Speedway we’re talking about here,” said Dave Hart, Motorsports Chairman O. Bruton Smith first vice chancellor and floated the idea in director at 1996, not long after ‘This is a reality and as athletics Tennessee. adding the World’s big as anything that has Fastest Half-Mile Jim Weaver, Hart’s to his stable of ever happened in the counterpart at Virginia speedways. world of football,’ - Weaver Tech, concurred. After all, Bristol is “This is a reality and midway between Knoxville, Tenn., and as big as anything that has ever happened in Blacksburg, Va., and a quick trip around the the world of football,” Weaver said. Twin City reveals either a “T” or “VT” sticker on nearly every car and truck on either side The current college football attendance of the state line. record is just over 115,000, set when the University of Michigan hosted Notre Dame “I remember being in Jeff Byrd’s office with in Ann Arbor in 2013. Crowd estimates of my dad Bruton Smith and Jerry Caldwell and talking about this idea and how it would 120,000 surround a 1927 game between the Fighting Irish and University of Southern be awesome if we could ever do that. At California at Soldier Field in Chicago in 1927. the time it was just a crazy idea but Bruton Smith has a habit of making dreams a
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
11
UPCOMING EVENT
Feature
Battle At Bristol
It certainly will be the largest crowd for either program. Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium in Knoxville holds about 102,000 following recent renovations and its record of 109,000 fans was set in 2004. Lane Stadium in Blacksburg seats about 66,000 but was ranked among the nation’s loudest stadiums by Sports Illustrated. Not surprisingly, Tech coach and long-time race fan Frank Beamer expects to feel right at home. “I really enjoy this place. Next to Lane Stadium this is my favorite sports venue. I love to watch racing here,” Beamer said. “To be a part of the largest crowd in history to ever watch a football game to be one of two teams to ever do that - I know our players and our fans are going to be excited. And the setting is perfect.” Beamer competed in a celebrity race at BMS in 2009 but has attended races for decades. He recalls sitting in the old backstretch concrete bleachers enjoying a classic Bristol battle during the 1960s. “We sat in the bleachers and watched Junior Johnson driving a Chevrolet battling Fred Lorenzen in a Ford. They finally wrecked and then we had a fight going,” Beamer said. Jones got his first taste of Bristol excitement in March 2013 when he served as grand marshal for the Food City 500.
‘As a football coach, I walked in and wondered, what if we had a football game here?’ - Jones [Reaction at the 2013 Food City 500]
“It’s one of the greatest sporting events I’ve ever been a part of,” Jones said. “The passionate fan base that was here, the excitement; it was just electric.”
important to both of our universities and our student-athletes so I’m just excited,” Jones said. “The game offers Bristol Motor Speedway another chance to gain national attention, said BMS Vice-President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell. We look forward to being able to showcase our facility and our team on another stage. Speedway Motorsports puts on big events. Our core is NASCAR and always will be, but we put on big events,” Caldwell said. The stars aligned and several events helped make the dream a reality. “We were blessed to have everything line up for us. The conference realignment helped because it took them out of this ten-year, locked-in schedule. That made it easier for the schools to explore what they could do to make it happen,” Caldwell said. “We had willing participants and enthusiasm from all sides. And it was the groundwork Jeff Byrd and Bruton Smith did and not giving up on a great idea.” The game’s proximity to the Fall NASCAR event, scheduled just a couple weeks after Bristol’s traditional August race week means the BMS team will have to work quickly to turn the facility around. “It will be quite the undertaking. We have the standard race cleanup after the largest NASCAR weekend on the circuit and we’ll do that as quickly as possible,” Caldwell said. “We’ll do some work between now and 2016 to prepare the infield, putting some of the infrastructure underground, making it easier to get the [scoring] pylon out. We’ll also evaluate what is permanent and what is temporary. We’ll be adding screens on either end of the facility. Obviously the [football] field has to go down and we have a great partnership lined up on that and they’ve assured us they’ll be able to do that in approximately eight days. “We’ve got three years to choreograph it all and we’ve got an amazing team, so I’m confident we’ll be able to pull it off in true Bruton Smith fashion.”
It was during his race weekend visit that Jones first heard about the speedway’s long-standing offer to host a major college football game.
Officials of both schools praised the Speedway’s efforts to clear every possible hurdle.
“I just remember the passion and the excitement. As a football coach, I walked in and wondered, what if we had a football game here? To make this a reality and be a part of football history is very
“Around the end of June or early July, Jerry Caldwell came to visit me and Dave Hart. We’ve known each other for a long time. There’s a mutual respect between the two of us,” Weaver said. “I think we
12
Winter 2013
UPCOMING EVENT
Feature
Battle At Bristol
What an exciting time at Bristol Motor Speedway! both took the attitude of why not. Why can’t we make this happen?” Jones echoed that sentiment. “The individuals at Bristol Motor Speedway were very serious. They came to Knoxville and we met with them and they had a great plan. We had some areas that had to be addressed and they were able to do that. Every detail was covered,” the Vols coach said. “I’m excited for our student-athletes to be part of college football history - something that will live with them forever - and for Tennessee to be at the forefront of breaking the attendance record is exciting. It’s a great thing for our institutions and for our football program, but it’s a monumental thing for college football.” Both coaches agreed the game will provide significant recruiting benefits. “Our players and most players want to be on ‘the stage’ and this is ‘the stage.’ I think it’s a recruiting tool,” Beamer said, “The largest crowd in history, and I don’t know if anybody can ever beat this place.” Dr. Jerry Punch, who has covered both NASCAR racing and college football for television, also offered his perspective.
‘I’ve covered BCS bowl games. It will have a BCS bowl game energy and excitement, only bigger.’ - Punch “I think it’s a landmark announcement for college football. We’ve been stuck at 110,000 to 115,000 - and that’s large - but to be able to have two of the heavyweights of college football come and play in this fabulous arena, nationally televised and you’re probably looking at 150,000-plus,” Punch said. “You won’t need to have the race engines to have thunder here. You put 150,000 people in here - with marching bands, cheerleaders - all the energy and excitement; it will be deafening. I’ve covered BCS bowl games. It will have a BCS bowl game energy and excitement, only bigger.”
None of this would be possible without you and we are so excited to bring this historic event to the Last Great Colosseum. We invite you to visit BattleAtBristol.com and register to become a Battle At Bristol insider where we will keep you informed with news and information regarding the game. Also, make sure you visit our Battle At Bristol Ticket Information FAQ page on the BMS website at www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/footballfaq, where you will find a wealth of information regarding the football game. As a token of our appreciation for your loyalty, Bristol Motor Speedway NASCAR Season Ticket Holders have the first opportunity to reserve tickets to the Battle at Bristol by making a $40 non-refundable deposit per ticket requested. You may reserve three football tickets for every two season ticket packages you hold. Tickets may be reserved by calling the Bristol Motor Speedway ticket office toll-free at 1-866-415-4158 or 423-989-6900. As you can imagine, we are extremely excited about this event, and we hope you join us in making football history.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
13
SECTION SUBHEAD Section Title
Story Title
14
Winter 2013
SECTION SUBHEAD
Section Title
Story Title
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
15
Feature
Speedway In Lights
UPCOMING EVENT
A Family Tradition
Ford Speedway In Lights Returns
T
radition. It carries a lot of synonyms: ritual, custom, observance, rite, practice, standard – and many more.
Traditions are held up proudly by those who participate in them. Children follow their parents into the family business or to their alma maters. Athletic teams take the field after touching a sign or a statue or rubbing a rock so often that the rough edges smooth through the years. Quiet or loud, subtle or in-your-face, these rituals come in all shapes and sizes.
PHOTO: Randall Perry
16
Winter 2013
Story By: Kevin Triplett Hank Williams, Jr., sings about family traditions, and it does not matter how many times the Lone Star Flag of Texas drops behind Willie Nelson on stage, the crowd still goes berserk. There is a reason people react so fervently to the command, “drivers start your engines.” Sometimes the anticipation of the practice is as fun as what happens when the moment or event finally arrives. Ford Speedway In Lights, Powered by TVA at Bristol Motor Speedway has become such a tradition for many families. Maybe it is not a scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs kind of custom like a college football rivalry on a Saturday afternoon but, after 16 years, one to mark annually on the calendar nonetheless. Not just every family but each member of the family seems to have different favorite parts and pieces of the largest Christmas and holiday light show in the South. With more than two million lights stretching though a four-plus-mile route, there is something for everyone. That is why thousands return every year not only to enjoy a holiday family tradition, but also to raise money for a wonderful cause. For one, a preference is the display featuring the farmer’s tractor-converted-toa-snowman-making machine. For others it is the Marsh LP Dinosaur Village or the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies’ Sea of Illumination under the Bristol Motor Speedway grandstands. A good number prefer the more traditional nativity scene or the 12 Days of Christmas display. There are other favorites, including the ability to drive through Thunder Valley, one of the premier dragways in the country, or to actually take a lap on the high banks of the World’s Fastest Half-Mile.
Of course, a trip is not complete without a stop in the infield Christmas Village to roast a few marshmallows or take a spin on a couple of the carnival rides. Sip a cup of hot chocolate or warm cider while taking in the 300,000 multi-colored dancing bulbs in the Subway Symphony of Lights and top it off by having a picture made with Santa. If a family has time after all that entertainment, they can take a spin at the Johnson Controls Ice Rink where it is just $7 to rent skates and hit the ice – figuratively speaking, of course – or speed down HVAC Chill Hill.
The Johnson Controls Ice Rink is the only rink within a 90-minute driving radius of BMS, making it one of the Speedway’s most popular nonmotorsports-related events. Now in its 12th year, this patch of ice has become as much of a tradition as Ford Speedway In Lights. The enclosed rink is located just inside the main entrance of Bristol Motor Speedway, off Hwy. 11E (Volunteer Parkway). The cost to skate is only $5, plus an additional $2 to rent skates. The HVAC Chill Hill is a 300-foot long snowless slide that features side-by-side lanes and inflated tubes on which riders sit as they rocket to the bottom of the slope, located just outside Turn 1 of BMS.
Chill Hill is located adjacent to the Johnson Controls Ice Rink and cost is $7 per person for a 50-minute session. Anyone wishing to take part in the tube slide must be at least 48” tall to ride alone. For an additional $3, children between 36” – 47” tall can ride with someone 16 or older. Too much to pack into one night of fun? Then come back another time. The Johnson Controls Ice Rink is open every night, except Mondays, from November 14 through Jan. 12, 2014 and provides fun for all ages. Even 1986 World Champion skater and 1988 Olympic Bronze Medalist Debbie Thomas – now Dr. Debbie Thomas – stopped by in the past. Still want more? Then book a ride on Santa’s Speedway Sleigh. Making two runs, at 6 and 8, every Wednesday and Thursday night, Santa’s Speedway Sleigh gives guests an openair ride through the four-plus mile route of holiday lights that includes a stop in the infield Christmas Village. Each sleigh accommodates up to 25 riders. Prices are $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Reservations may be made through the Bristol Motor Speedway ticket office at (423) 989-6900. Ford Speedway In Lights kicks off Friday, Nov. 15 and remains open through Jan. 4, 2014. Tickets for the show, open nightly 6-10 p.m., are available at the gate at Bristol Dragway. Ticket prices for cars are $12 Sunday through Thursday, and $15 Friday and Saturday. Activity van tickets are $20 each night and tickets for buses are $85 each night. As a reminder to visitors, the entrance for the four miles of festive illumination changed last year. After 15 years of bringing guests in from Volunteer Parkway, those attending now begin their drive-through trek at the Bristol Dragway entrance, just off Highway 394.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
17
UPCOMING EVENT
Feature
Speedway In Lights
UPCOMING EVENTS
Feature
Speedway In Lights
Fast Facts WHAT: • More than 2 million holiday lights • More than 200 holiday light displays • Four-plus mile route • Johnson Controls Ice rink • HVAC Chill Hill • Christmas Village • All proceeds benefit Speedway Children’s Charities WHEN: Friday, Nov. 15, 2013 through Jan. 4, 2014 Ford Speedway in Lights is open seven nights a week HVAC Chill Hill and Johnson Controls Ice Rink closed Mondays HOURS: Ford SIL gates are open nightly from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. (Enter at Bristol Dragway Entrance off Highway 394) HVAC Chill Hill and Johnson Controls Ice Rink hours vary, please consult www. bristolmotorspeedway.com or call (423) 989-6900. TICKETS: $12 per car Sunday through Thursday $15 per car Friday and Saturday $20 per activity van $85 per bus $7 Johnson Controls Ice Rink (covers admission/skate rental) $7 HVAC Chill Hill – Reservations are recommended. Call (423) 989-6900 FUN FACTS: BMS boasts more than 2 million lights and 200 displays Ford Speedway In Lights. This year’s route is more than four miles long and again this year, guests must enter at the Hwy 394 Bristol Dragway entrance. BMS workers begin bringing Ford Speedway In Lights to life soon after the August NASCAR events. The Subway Symphony in Lights in the Darrell Waltrip Grandstand features approximately 300,000 lights – 10 times more than the Rockefeller Plaza Christmas Tree in New York. The 142 miles of wiring used for Speedway In Lights could stretch from Bristol past Pigeon Forge.
The mission of Speedway Children’s Charities is “to care for children in education, financial, social and medical need in order to help them lead productive lives.” In the 16-year history of the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, the organization has awarded more than $7 million to children’s agencies and organizations in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, including $712,000 last year. The funding for these grants comes from the incredible support of the public for events such as Ford Speedway In Lights, Johnson Controls Ice Rink and HVAC Chill Hill. It is our goal that guests get enjoyment from the winter activities and at the same time, maybe without even knowing it, be able to help children in need. Comments from officials with just a few of the organizations aided by SCC make it clear the public support goes a long way in meeting that goal. Following are testimonials from leaders of some of those groups. “The grant from Speedway Children’s Charities helps support our Teen Leadership Program that teaches leadership skills, service learning, and servant leadership. Service opportunities include volunteering for TEARS (Equine Rescue Sanctuary), Special Olympics Mission Trip, Children’s Charities at both races and Speedway in Lights changing bulbs. The teens come from a variety of homes and some are not able to pay their way. The money allows us to keep service trips affordable to everyone and scholarships are always available. The grant allows us to offer the teens the summer experience of Leaders chool. Leaders School is a week long experience of leadership training, healthy living and servant leadership. Imagine 850 teenagers together with no problems or drama. It is truly the best week of their lives. Without Children’s Charities grant monies, it would not be possible to change lives as this program does. Our graduates tell us that what they learned in Leaders made their lives different by knowing how to make a difference in their community, how to treat others, and to step up to a leadership role. Thank you Children’s Charities for changing lives for the better.”
- 18
Winter 2013
John Mack , COO, YMCA of Bristol
UPCOMING EVENT
Feature
Speedway In Lights
“... Whether it is meeting their needs physically or spiritually like our organization does, it’s overwhelming when you think how can you make the biggest difference in someone’s life…”
-
Scott Caldwell, Director Young Life, Johnson City
Money received from Speedway Children’s Charities’ grants has allowed us to provide counseling sessions to hundreds of children who have been victims of severe physical and/or sexual abuse. These counseling sessions provide our smallest of voices an opportunity to be heard and to begin the process of healing. We would not be able to offer these services for free, if not for the generosity of SCC.”
-
Lemy Dao, Exec. Director, Children’s Advocacy Center
“Speedway Children’s Charities has been a valuable asset to our organization. Their contribution allows us to provide after school homework and tutoring assistance to over 300 young people on a daily basis. Through this beneficial program, 100% of our members advanced to the next grade level and are receiving the extra academic help they need. Speedway Children’s Charities is vital to the success of this program and we are very thankful for their continuing support.”
-
Jessica L. Rose, Assistant Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Empire
“Food for Thought is a proud beneficiary of grant funds from Speedway Children’s Charities, and Food for Thought recognizes the struggles facing students and young adults in a difficult economy, while facing hardship at home.”
-
Suzy Cloyd, Director of Food for Thought
“I appreciate what Speedway Children’s Charities does for our community and children in need. Poverty can kill futures and dreams of greatness. Together you are working to provide life to children here at home.”
-
Rev. Sarah Wells, Exec. Director of Good Samaritan Ministries
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to benefit from the work of Speedway Children’s Charities. Mountain Kids, Inc. has had the good fortune over the past few years to renew our focus on the children and meeting their needs on an individual level. Speedway Children’s Charities has been a blessing in that endeavor.”
-
Sara Sheets, Exec. Director of Mountain Kids Inc.
“…knowing the money is going somewhere that is being used in a way that is truly helping and serving a purpose. It is great to know that the energy you spend and the money you donate is going to a great cause.”
-
Ryan Henderson, Barter Theatre, Arts program for Children
To donate to Speedway Children’s Charities, or for more information, visit bristol.speedwaycharities.org or call 423.989.6975. Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
19
RACE RECAP
Feature
August Race Week
20
Winter 2013
RACE RECEAP
Feature
August Race Week
August Race Week Excitement at Every Turn... Story By: Lynsey Wilson Images By: Harold Hinson Photography
E
ach year guests from 50 states and as many as 19 countries flock to the foothills of East Tennessee, intent on witnessing present-day gladiators battling for supremacy inside the Last Great Colosseum. Since 1961, the World’s Fastest Half Mile has beckoned these warriors to test their modern horsepower on its infamously steep banks. Rattled cages, brazen hood slides and fiery helmet throws are par for the course inside the half-mile pressure cooker, and it is these enduring stories that fuel the mystique that is Bristol Motor Speedway.
August 2013 was no different as the 53rd running of the IRWIN Tools Night Race highlighted a race week that featured a Wednesday night doubleheader consisting of NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour TitanRoof 150 and Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200 along with Friday night’s Food City 250. When the final checkered flag waved, signaling the close to another action-packed week on the concrete oval, guests had served as witnesses to a first-time winner, the youngest pole sitter in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history and two waning-lap battles destined for the sport’s history books.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
21
RACE RECAP
Feature
August Race Week
TitanRoof 150
R
ace week kicked into high gear August 21 when the Whelen Modified Tour/Whelen Southern Modified combination event rounded the banks for the series’ fifth trip to the World’s Fastest Half Mile. Open wheels and high banks combined for a frenzied 135 laps around the concrete oval with elated, first-time Bristol winner Mike Stefanik extending his series career win record to 74. “This is way up the ladder,” he said, leaning against his winning machine in BMS Victory Lane. “I’m being cool right now, but I’m freaking out inside. I’m really excited about this win. I am really excited. I’m 55 [years old] and it’s hard to get someone that’s been in this game that long that excited, but I’ll tell you I’ve got such a smile on my face and it’s just going to be such a wonderful trip home.” The seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion hinted 2013 might be his last season in the car but counts a trip to Bristol’s Victory Lane as proof he still has what it takes to be competitive. “We’re short track racers,” he said. “This is the epitome of shorttrack racing and if you tell somebody, ‘Hey, I just won at Bristol,’ they know you’ve got to be a decent driver. They don’t just hand out checkered flags here. I’m not going to be in this sport very much longer, trust me, but this is just a fantastic day for our team.” Stefanik battled Todd Szegedy and Sprint Cup regular Ryan Newman for much of the TitanRoof 150, shortened by 15 laps due to time limits.
“We were wheel-to-wheel racing,” said Stefanik. “There was some bumping and rubbing with Todd but nothing we couldn’t handle. It’s not a game of inches here, it’s hundredths of an inch.” Szegedy, who also was runner-up in last year’s contest, blamed himself for the team’s second-place finish. “Unfortunately, I let my guys down and lost this race,” said the driver who rallied from an early tire issue that dropped him deep in the field. “That’s been plaguing us all year, just really weird, dumb things happening to us. We need a win, but second place is good. We’ve been struggling really bad this year, running good just not getting good finishes.” Ron Yuhas Jr. was third on the night followed by Ryan Preece and Newman. Burt Myers came home ninth, making him the highest finishing Southern Modified Tour driver.
22
Winter 2013
UNOH 200
C
apping Wednesday’s doubleheader at the World’s Fastest Half Mile, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200 had fans gripping the edge of their seats as a last lap battle between Kyle Busch and Timothy Peters ended with Peters sliding second across the stripe and Busch notching his fourth truck series win at Bristol. Peters, who led every lap on his way to winning the 2012 contest, showed the way for a race-high 125 laps in this return trip but saw his two-second advantage disappear when caution flew on lap 179 for Jeff Agnew’s front stretch spin. Peters’ crew made the strategic decision to stay out under yellow which resulted in an odd loss of power on the restart. However, when a similar stumble by Matt Crafton’s machine triggered a spin by Brad Keselowski and resulted in the night’s fifth and final caution, it kept Peters in contention and set the stage for a showdown with the late-charging Busch. Busch, who overcame a mid-race pit road speeding penalty, was elated to edge out Peters by just .05 seconds at the line.
“Man, great racing here at Bristol,” said the 4-time BMS Camping World Truck Series winner. “I knew I had it [on the last lap]. I had the momentum and Timothy just tried to throw a ‘Hail Mary’ there, I guess and wrecked a pretty good race truck.” Peters, however, had no regrets about his ‘Hail Mary.’ “Wouldn’t have done nothing different,” he said. “Hey, I was going for it. I got a really good bite on throttle off of (turn) four into the checkered flag and got a little loose and went up and hit him and just knocked me back to the left there. I hate that we have a tore up truck, but hey that was exciting wasn’t it?” The day’s fastest qualifier Chase Elliott came home fifth on the night but, at age 17, earned the distinction of being the youngest pole sitter in NCWTS history. Ryan Blaney, Johnny Sauter, Elliott, Ty Dillon, James Buescher, Ron Hornaday Jr., Brad Keselowski and Crafton rounded out the top ten.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
23
RACE RECAP
Feature
August Race Week
Feature
August Race Week
RACE RECAP
Food City 250
K
yle Busch visited Bristol’s victory lane for the second time in two races following Friday night’s Food City 250, starting from the pole position and leading the race’s final 72 laps en route to a record 60th Nationwide Series victory.
Ill-handling race cars plagued several of the series championship contenders with both Brian Vickers and Sam Hornish Jr. battering the wall with their machines while a loose wheel forced Regan Smith to pit under green, leaving Busch to contend with Cup series rival Brad Keselowski for much of the race’s 250 laps.
“It was a lot of fun tonight,” said Busch. “It’s cool when you can start up front, lead laps like that, but yet you have some battles with holding off the 22 [Keselowski] and have to pass the 32 [Kyle Larson] – just a fun day.” Larson, the highest finishing rookie, earned a fifth place finish on the night crossing the stripe behind Austin Dillon and Justin Allgaier. Knoxville native Trevor Bayne, Ty Dillon, Kasey Kahne, Brian Scott and Elliott Sadler completed the top ten.
24
Winter 2013
Reserve Early!
1-800-356-1676 VISIT DIXIESTAMPEDE.COM FOLLOW US
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
25
Feature
August Race Week
RACE RECAP
IRWIN Tools Night Race
“He told me his version of it [the wreck.] It’s all good. It’s Bristol racing, and it’s just something I wanted to know.” - Kevin Harvick
The excitement was palpable Saturday night as NASCAR’s elite prepared to battle on the banks of the circuit’s legendary bullring and music icon Hank Williams Jr. rocked tens of thousands of the track’s rowdy friends in their seats. As Williams’ guitar riffs gave way to the sounds of Bristol’s famed driver introductions which saw The Coasters “Little Red Riding Hood” serve as the soundtrack for J.J. Yeley’s wolf-maskclad pursuit of his appropriately costumed daughter and Kevin Harvick strut to Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman” (chosen for him by country music star Jake Owen), the anticipation mounted. When renowned ringside announcer Michael Buffer asked if these modern-day gladiators were ready to rumble, electricity crackled through the Last Great Colosseum. For 500 laps, 43 warriors maneuvered their modern-day chariots around the concrete
26
Winter 2013
oval, fighting, proverbially, the surface, their machines and their fellow drivers but the battle royale came with 12 laps to go when Kasey Kahne pulled alongside race leader Matt Kenseth, engaging him in a door-banging battle worthy of the Last Great Colosseum. Kenseth was able to hold off the hardcharging Kahne at the stripe, notching his fifth win of the season and sixth career victory at Bristol, but the Wisconsin-native admitted he knew Kahne would be a formidable opponent. “When he got there with about eight (laps) to go, I knew we had our work cut out for us,” he said. “I didn’t know what would happen. He almost cleared me in (turn) three one time. I had to drive in really, really hard to make sure he couldn’t get up in front of me. That’s when I had that rubbing together off
of (turn) 4. There wasn’t a lot of extra room there. It was an intense race.”
‘It was an intense race.’ - Matt Kenseth
But recognition for a solid effort proved unsatisfying to Kahne who won the track’s Spring event. “I thought Matt did a good job of just running as hard as he could as close to the wall as possible, which helped him a lot, and then I was just trying to gain speed,” said Kahne. “I had a better car. We were on the right strategy and I just couldn’t clear him. There was a couple shots I took and I had to have been close, but I could feel him on the right side of my car and I just didn’t clear him. I didn’t figure out how to get by. It’s disappointing not to win here.”
RACE RECAP
Feature
August Race Week
“I tried to pass him two different times and ran on his bumper and hoped he’d screw up, and he really never did.” - Kasey Kahne
Kahne was in position, more than once, to lay the bumper to Kenseth and improve his odds at earning the win. He chose not to go that route and said he had no regrets. “I think at the end of the day, I just don’t wreck people,” Kahne said after the race when asked about why he chose not to do what so many at Bristol have done previously. “I needed a win bad, but I also needed a finish, and I just didn’t do anything crazy. I just basically ran as hard as I could. “I tried to pass him two different times and ran on his bumper and hoped he’d screw up, and he really never did.” And Kahne said he would be fine with his decision not to help Kenseth make that mistake. However, the showdown between those two
drivers did not provide the evening’s only fireworks. With 53 laps to go, a seven-car pileup collected Brad Keselowski, Ryan Newman, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Brian Vickers and Harvick. Tempers flared as Hamlin bumped Harvick’s wrecked machine out of the No. 11 pit stall, prompting the Richard Childress Racing driver to climb from his car and confront Hamlin on pit road. “He told me his version of it [the wreck],” said Harvick. “It’s all good. It’s Bristol racing, and it’s just something I wanted to know.” After a four minute and 27 second red flag to clean-up the melee, the race restarted with Kenseth in the lead, followed by Juan Pablo Montoya and Kahne. On lap 473, Kahne’s fresh tires propelled him past Montoya and set the stage for the night’s final battle.
While Kenseth and Kahne competed for the lead, Montoya kept his third-place machine at a safe distance in hopes their clash would end in his favor. “I was hoping they were going to wreck on the white flag, to be honest,” he said. As a result of the clean, albeit intense, battle between the first and second place finishers, Montoya came home third on the day with Brian Vickers, Joey Logano, Paul Menard, Jeff Gordon, Marcos Ambrose, Greg Biffle and Dale Earnhardt Jr. making up the top ten. Fans eager to witness history in the making and harness the power of Bristol Motor Speedway can reserve their 2014 season tickets today by calling (855) 580-5525 or visiting www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
27
RACE RECAP
Feature
Fan Photos | Fan Focus Photos
28
Winter 2013
RACE RECAP
Feature
Fan Photos | Fan Focus Photos
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
29
Staff Profile
EVENTS DEPARTMENT
Making it all Happen... The Events Team
H
ello Bristol fans! It has been another great season of racing and we now are gearing up for some more excitement with the upcoming winter activities. If you previously have not had an opportunity to come visit us during the winter months‌.you have to set some time aside to see what you have been missing. We have a wonderful light show as well as the opportunity to come out and ice skate or speed down the Chill Hill tube slide. We always have something great going on here at Bristol!
30
Winter 2013
Staff Profile
EVENTS DEPARTMENT
Tanyua Kerns M
tanyua@BristolMotorSpeedway.com (423) 989-6939
y name is Tanyua Kerns, the Vice President of Events and I have worked at BMS for 18 years. I started in 1995 as an agent in the ticket office. Since then I have been blessed with the opportunity to grow within the company to my current position. My husband, Billy Kerns, also is a team member here at BMS and serves as the Senior Director in Operations. I guess you could say this is our home away from home. When I am not at the track, you can find me spending time with my seven-year-old daughter Laci or working on some type of home improvement project. I often have been asked what I like most about my job. My response is simple; it is the people. Not just the people I work with on a daily basis but also the fans that I meet each race and the relationships that are formed. There are so many fans who have become like family to me. There is nothing like the feeling of race week. It is like a huge party and all your friends coming to town. Thank you to each and every one of you for letting me be a part of your Bristol Experience. If there is ever anything I can do to help make your visit to Bristol even better, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My email address is by email: tanyua@bristolmotorspeedway.com Now, enough about me‌..in this edition of the Bristol magazine, I want to give you an idea of what the Events Department does and introduce you to some other folks behind the scenes. Our group consists of five full-time employees who directly oversee more than 1,100 event employees on race day(s). The area(s) in which we directly are responsible are parking, shuttles, trams, buses, gate operations, elevator operations, guest services, suite registration, ushers, etc. These are all touch points for race fans when arriving on the property. During other times throughout the year, we are responsible for facility rentals, as well as the day-to-day operation of Speedway In Lights, powered by TVA, the Johnson Controls Ice Rink and HVAC Chill Hill. Our jobs are to sort through all the logistics and ensure the best possible experience for all who attend. There is no doubt that we have some of the best folks in the business working here in Bristol. We have assembled a team in the Events Department that is 100% dedicated to the mission and driven by the promise to Exceed Expectations. Here are the rest of the folks in the Events Department you should know.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
31
Staff Profile
EVENTS DEPARTMENT
Kevin Berkley
Lewayne Luttrell
kevin@BristolMotorSpeedway.com
luttrell@BristolMotorSpeedway.com
(423) 989-6949
H
ello Bristol race fans, Kevin Berkley at your service! Back in the summer of 1997 I had the privilege of coming to work for the BEST sports venue in the country - Bristol Motor Speedway. I had no idea some 17 years later it would be one of the best choices I would make in my life. What a truly self-rewarding experience it has been for me to help make Bristol the fans’ best track in NASCAR. I was born and raised here in Bristol, Tennessee and I am certainly proud to call it home! When life allows I like being a lake bum, remodeling my home and traveling to see the country. I have had the opportunity to wear many hats during my time at Bristol. I have managed the parking, traffic, transportation areas and had the unique experience of living on the BMS property as on-site security for many years. I am currently Events Manager with direct responsibilities to the gate and service gate operations. In addition, I oversee the elevator operations and work with any other area that needs assistance. When the holidays roll around I get to put on my elf hat as I get the honor of managing the hands-down best holiday light show in the country; Speedway In Lights. Of all the hats I get and have gotten to wear over the years, there is one common thing in them all – making each guest feel special and exceed his or her expectations. What a privilege it is to be able to do that! One thing I get asked many times “what do you do when it’s not race time?” my reply is always the same- ‘It’s always race time,’ because all of the employees here at BMS work tirelessly every day to make your experience the best it can be and to always dish out that good ole’ southern hospitality that Bristol is known for. We do what we do because of you and I thank you for allowing me to do something that I enjoy so much each and every day. I hope to see you at one of our next big events here at BMS and if you happen to see me out and about while you’re here and need anything all, please don’t hesitate to ask. I am truly at your service!
32
Winter 2013
(423) 989-6958
H
ello BMS fans, this is Lewayne Luttrell, Events Manager over traffic operations. My Bristol experience started right here in the grandstands overlooking the flag stand of the Goody’s 500 in August 1995. That actually was my first exposure to the world of stock car racing and after having a front row seat to one of the epic battles in Bristol Motor Speedway history, how could I not become a fan of this great sport? Watching Texas Terry crossing the start-finish line sideways after being shoved by the hard-charging “Intimidator”, I knew there was something special about this bull ring we call the ‘Last Great Colosseum’! The following year I began parking cars for events here at BMS. Through the years I’ve supervised parking lots and helped with the tram system when it was added to the transportation services here at BMS. I became a full-time employee in July 2009 and fittingly took on the logistical role of managing the many traffic operations during our events and overseeing moving guests around property in our shuttle buses, trams and golf cart shuttle services. A graduate of Virginia Tech, I am originally from Charleston, S.C. Being born to a military family and having seen other parts of the world, I am proud to call Bristol home since ’93. I live here with my beautiful bride Jill, who can be seen during race weekends assisting guests in our shuttle service. Our house is ruled by our toddler twins, Raleigh and Vallie, and I am happy to say they are what keep me from my favorite pastime, fly fishing in this beautiful mountain region. I have surely been blessed to live here in God’s country and by His grace have the distinct pleasure of coming to work every day at one of the great sporting facilities ever constructed. Being a part of the Bristol Family, both our family of co-workers and the extended family who comes back to visit us a couple times each year, I truly enjoy what I get to do and hope to Exceed your Expectations each time you come. I want to say thank you to the Bristol Motor Speedway fans for allowing me to be a part of this great, on-going Bristol experience!
Staff Profile
Crystal Miller
smoore@BristolMotorSpeedway.com
crystal@BristolMotorSpeedway.com
(423) 989-6924
M
y name is Sonya Moore and I have worked at Bristol Motor Speedway for more than 25 years. My first eight years were spent with previous owner Larry Carrier and during that time I worked in both the ticket office and in credentials/registration. After our chairman Bruton Smith and Speedway Motorsports bought the Speedway in 1996 I moved over to the Communications Department and continued to work with media for the next several years. In 2002, I began working in the Events Department, which has been a whole new experience for me. I am currently in charge of Guest Services and I love interacting with the fans during our events. I have met so many great people over the years and I have a lot of great memories.
I live in Kingsport with my husband Terry and our two children, Madison and Tristen. Madison is a sophomore in high school and Tristen is in the 7th grade. They also love racing, especially the Monster Trucks! I am so blessed to work with such a great group of people. We are a strong team that is dedicated to“Exceeding Expectations” and we will do whatever it takes to get the job done.
(423) 989-6941
H
i my name is Crystal Miller and I moved to Johnson City, Tenn., 10 years ago from Winston-Salem, N.C. with a little encouragement from (former BMS General Manager) Jeff Byrd and began working at Bristol. I enjoy working in the Events Department and dealing with so many different people year-round on event and facility rentals. At race time I take care of issuing the handicap parking passes and work with the ushers. I love being able to interact with the fans and enjoy the opportunity to help people. I have a seven-year-old daughter, Makaila, who is in the second grade and is the light of my life every day. She is the one of the funniest, friendliest and most active kids you will ever meet. She definitely does not meet a stranger. I have a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina and master’s degree in business from King University here in Bristol. After finishing college I worked for the Coliseum in Winston-Salem where we took care of Bowman Gray Stadium football and racing events, Wake Forest basketball and WSSU football and basketball along with a host of other events. I grew up two blocks from Bowman Gray Stadium and I always loved Demolition Derby Nights. My grandfather and uncles always watched NASCAR and you dare not touch the TV on Sundays. My dad was a drag racer so Piedmont Drag Racing was also a major part of my childhood. My dad even built his own motors and did fabrication on his own cars. I’ve been around some type of racing my entire life, so I guess it was fate to be at BMS. My true love of racing is drag racing, which is what my daddy first introduced me to. Blame on him; I was a daddy’s girl.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
33
EVENTS DEPARTMENT
Sonya Moore
34
Winter 2013
GAIL HULSE Staff Profile
Staff Profile
GAIL HULSE
Staff Profile: Gail Hulse Title: Director of Guest Initiatives & Guest Relations Hometown: Kingsport, TN. I have lived there all my life and still reside there. Education: I have a BS in Business. I’d originally planned to be a teacher, but after student teaching decided on a career in business. Tell us about your family: I am married to a wonderful man, Bryan. We met while working for a local pharmacy and have been married over 31 years. My parents are still living and have been married for 64 years. I grew up with three older brothers, which made me the baby of the family (and yes, I was spoiled rotten). What about any pets: My favorite Chocolate Lab, Sadie Belle, passed away July 1st, and although no other dog could replace her, I’ll soon be getting another. I also have a cat named Pearl that I adopted seven years ago. Describe your current role at BMS: Currently, I work with the iBelong program, Kids Club, Bump and Run mascots, Guest Relations, Longevity program, First Time Guests and am working on various other programs we hope to debut in 2014. Speaking of Bump and Run, are they related? Yes, they are brother and sister. When did you start working at BMS, and what other positions have you held? I started in May 1996 right after SMI purchased the track. I was originally hired by Finance as an Accounting Manager, transferred to the ticket department a
couple of years later as the Assistant Ticket Manager and later as the Ticket Manager then Director of Ticketing. In 2012, I transitioned to my current role as Director of Guest Initiatives & Guest Relations. What do you enjoy most about your job? Interacting with the fans. It’s true that they become your friends and family and seeing them on race weekend truly feels like a family reunion. They are the reason we do what we do and enjoy what we do. They’re undoubtedly the best part of my job. What is one thing about your job that might surprise people? How much I walk during an event. When I was working in tickets and spent the majority of race weekends in the ticket office, I still managed to log seven miles in one day and never left the building! I’m interested to see what that number would be now! Over the years, what’s been your favorite Bristol moment? There have been so many through the years but off the top of my head – the first time I met Dale Earnhardt Sr., anytime that I can help “exceed the expectations” of our guests, and kidding with Tony Stewart about having to call me “Mom,” if I married his dad Nelson. After 17 years, I could truly write a book.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
35
Staff Profile
GAIL HULSE What would you tell someone who is “on the fence” about attending a race at Bristol? There is no other track like Bristol. It’s so up close and personal. The thrills and excitement are endless. Basically, we’re one really big party. And what piece of advice would you give someone who’s decided to attend our party for the first time? Before coming to the race track, check out all the information on our website and on the Bristol Motor Speedway app. You can also ask us to send you a Guest Guide or pick one up when you arrive, and make sure to ask lots of questions. Once you’re here, visit the Guest Welcome Village, Guest Relations or any of our Guest Service booths. Our staff will be excited to help make your first visit the best possible. Don’t be afraid to ask other guests questions as well; repeat guests are great resources on what you can’t miss during race weekend. We have great Southern charm and love to show our guests some true Southern hospitality, so don’t be afraid to take advantage of that! What do you think is the best kept secret on Bristol race weekends? Surprisingly, many of our guests still don’t know about the Transporter Parade in August or Food City Family Race Night in March and August. These events are so much fun and great ways to get pumped up for race week. What’s one thing you would recommend for people to do or place
36
Winter 2013
for them to go on race weekend outside of the track? I recommend visiting our beautiful mountains and streams. I’ve traveled to almost all 50 states, and there is really nowhere like our mountains. There’s so much to do – from hiking to canoeing to picnicking to fishing – and most of it’s free! When it’s not race time, what’s your favorite way to spend an afternoon? Sitting on the couch with my pets and blanket watching old movies. What’s one of your favorite old movies? Gone with the Wind is still one of my favorites.
I guess I would have to say Spaghetti or Goolash. They are good any time of year and not very time consuming to prepare. What about your favorite foods? It really depends on the time of year. I love anything Italian almost any time of year, but during the holidays I love the traditional foods like turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, etc. During the summer months, I love fresh vegetables, tomatoes and peach cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you bring?
What about TV shows? Any you DVR?
First, I would take my husband so he could build a shelter and catch fish to feed me. I’d also bring my pets for warmth and comfort, and I’d take my blanket.
Blue Bloods because it stars Tom Selleck, NCIS and Big Bang Theory.
What are three words that describe you?
Who is one famous person, dead or alive, that you would most like to meet?
I would say – laughter, blessed and compassionate.
Tom Selleck, which explains the appeal of Blue Bloods. I would probably pass out if I met him, but I would risk it. What are some of your other favorite hobbies or pastimes? Decorating, cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with my family and friends. You mentioned cooking. What’s your go-to dish?
My friends and coworkers would probably say – crazy, nutty, fruitcake. And last but not least, Bristol is known for asking drivers to pick songs for their driver introductions. What would be your introduction song? Traffic Jam by James Taylor. I’ve always loved James Taylor, and I can be a bit heavy-footed.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
37
NEW INCENTIVE
Season Tickets
NEW Season Ticket Incentive Introduced for 2014!
Loyal Bristol Motor Speedway guests have more choices than ever when renewing for the 2014 season here at the The Last Great Colesseum.
N
ot only are all options from 2013 returning, we have introduced a new opportunity for 2014: two (2) FREE tickets for the August 2014 UNOH 200 Camping World Truck Series event. Other possibilities are your choice of: Cold Pit Passes (for March) [August Sold Out] $40 Gift Certificate (per ticket renewed) to the Speedway World store located inside Bruton Smith Building Free parking passes for March and August 10% off each ticket purchased
Our mission is to exceed your expectations. With that in mind, we have upped the ante for 2014. Simply call 423-Bristol or toll-free 1-866-415-4158. Don’t miss out on the best season ticket in NASCAR but hurry as these incentives only are available through Nov. 15, 2013. The only thing better than returning to Bristol year after year, is getting new and exciting options to enhance your experience to make each visit more memorable. Don’t wait, call today!
38
Winter 2013
“It’s Bristol Baby!”
“Wow!” Just Went To a Whole New Level
WHOLE NEW LEVEL
By: Ben Trout
Be it a NASCAR weekend on our legendary concrete oval or a 300 mph NHRA speed fest at Bristol Dragway, I can always bet on one thing. A significant number of fans will ask me this question, “So outside of race weeks, what do you do the other 340 days out of the year?”
on September 10, 2016 in a football game here at Bristol Motor Speedway. Can you imagine? The largest attended college football game. Ever. It’s been talked about since 1996, and now it’s finally going to happen.
That question always brings a smile to my face. Because I know what the fan reaction will be. It also reminds me of what a great team we have here at Bristol that knows no limits and is open to doing anything and everything to make this little spot in northeast Tennessee a true destination for all.
Understood. That first and foremost we are a race track. We host some of the greatest motorsports events and we provide guest experiences that generate memories to last a lifetime.
To answer the question, I verbally roll through our yearly calendar, which includes two NASCAR weekends; an NHRA event weekend; our holiday events that include Speedway In Lights, the Ice Rink and Chill Hill; our Monster Truck event; Thunder Valley Mayhem; our weekly bracket racing series; Street Fights; a wide variety of Dragway events; driving schools, community/civic events… and the list goes on.
We know you’re going to have questions. How will the field be positioned? What happens to the infield video/scoring tower? How can I get tickets? I want a T-shirt! How will the BMS Team transform the track into a football stadium?
FACTOID: By the end of the 2013 calendar year, our facilities will have been in use 312 days. Typically, by the time I get finished with the answer, the response is always the same – “WOW!”
While this event lies a little outside of the box, rest assured, it’s going to be fun adding this chapter to the Bristol history book.
The coming months will provide an array of information to answer all your questions. As we begin the countdown to this historical event make sure you are in the know. Become a Battle At Bristol Insider by visiting battleatbristol.com or feel free to give us a call at 1.866.415.4158 or 423-BRISTOL. I’m not sure if we’ll wave a green flag at kickoff, but hang on because this is gonna be one fun ride!
“WOW!” just went to a whole new level with the announcement that the University of Tennessee will face off against Virginia Tech
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
39
ADVANCE APPLICATION FOR ADA PARKING LOTS ENABLES SPECIAL NEEDS GUESTS TO PARK CARS NEAR THEIR SEATS
2014 ADVANCE HANDICAP PERMIT APPLICATION
Bristol Motor Speedway asks guests using stateissued ADA placards to apply for a Bristol-issued pass to help these visitors park closer to their seats. Anyone planning to use state-issued placards should send copies of the permit and the supporting documentation in advance, along with an application form, so that the BMS Events Department can send advance passes for the appropriate parking lots. The documentation required (registration card, receipt, staterecognized disabilities ID card, driver’s license, or original approved application forms) is the same reviewed by law enforcement officials at the entrances to handicap lots. Additional documentation is required to obtain accessible parking and this documentation varies by state. Individuals with temporary disabilities should submit medical documentation with an application to receive the BMS-issued permit.
Space is limited in the South (B-side) Lot closest to the Earnhardt, Yarborough, Johnson and Petty grandstands and terraces, and spaces in this lot will be allocated first to guests with seats in these grandstands, and second, on a first-apply, first-served basis. In the South Lot, only 400 spaces are available for Truck and Nationwide Series events and 600 spaces are available for Sprint Cup events. The number increases for the Cup races because after the Nationwide Series race, BMS opens Nationwide Series competitor spaces for special needs requests.
of the vehicle using the permit. Transferring a BMS-issued permit to another person should be considered the same violation of Tennessee law as fraudulently using a state-issued placard, and anyone doing so may face the same penalties. State-issued placards will be admitted at the Dragway Entrance only. Law enforcement officials will check documentation to ensure that the person to whom the permit is issued is in the vehicle.
In the North (A-side) Lot, cars with BMS-issued passes will park closer to the grandstand than cars using state-issued placards.
Please note that these permit procedures do not apply to reserved seat wheelchair guests. Reserved wheelchair seating and parking guests should contact Beverly Buster at 423-989-6902.
After applications have been received, notification will be sent to the applicant confirming or denying the request. Passes will be mailed approximately one month before the race.
For all other handicap parking questions, contact Alice Dawson/Crystal Miller at 423-989-6941 or alice@bristolmotorspeedway.com or crystal@ bristolmotorspeedway.com.
Law enforcement officials will check the permits at the South and Dragway Entrances to ensure that the name on the BMS-issued permit matches a photo ID of the occupant
If you applied for parking in 2013, you must apply again for 2014 parking. If you applied for parking in 2013, you must apply again for 2014 parking.
2014 Advance Special Needs Parking Permit Application Deadline for application: Two Months Before Each Race or Once Annually (User must have state-issued disabilities placard to apply for this permit)
10.875"
Speedway Section Title
PARKING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS GUESTS
Full Name___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (as it appears on documentation and photo ID)
Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
AR E L C T
LY
City, State, ZIP_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Daytime Phone_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PR E S A LE
IN
State Issued Plate/Placard Permit Number_______________________________________________________________________________
SEAT LOCATIONS (please fill out seat information per event) P
Jeff Foxworthy’s Grit Chip 300_______________________________________________________ Acct #____________________________ (March - Saturday Nationwide)
Grandstand
Section
Row
Seat
Food City 500______________________________________________________________________ Acct #____________________________ (March - Sunday Sprint Cup)
Grandstand
Section
Row
Seat
UNOH 200_________________________________________________________________________ Acct #____________________________ (August - Wednesday Truck/Modified)
Grandstand
Section
Row
Seat
Food City 250______________________________________________________________________ Acct #____________________________ (August - Friday Nationwide)
Grandstand
Section
Row
Seat
IRWIN Tools Night Race_____________________________________________________________ Acct #____________________________ (August - Saturday Sprint Cup)
Grandstand
Section
Row
Seat
Note: Seat Location and Ticket Account Number are required. Ticket holder and parking permit user may or may not be the same person. Parking will be assigned by seat location. Send this COMPLETED form, PLUS a photo copy of the state-issued permit, PLUS a copy of supporting documentation (registration card, receipt, handicap ID card, driver’s license, or original approved application forms) to obtain or use the permit TO: ATT: Alice/Crystal, BMS Events Dept., PO Box 3966, Bristol, TN, 37625; or fax to 423-764-0002. Retain a copy of completed application for your records.
Signature of permit user ____________________________________________________________________________ Downloadable applications are available at www.bristolmotorspeedway.com
40
Winter 2013
Section Title
Story Title
REV UP THE
SECTION SUBHEAD
TASTE
NOT THE CALORIES
Š 2013 Jeff Gordon, Inc. The name, likeness and signature of Jeff Gordon and the likeness of the #24 Pepsi Max Chevrolet SS are used with the permission of Jeff Gordon, Inc. PEPSI MAX and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
AO
For Major
Impact
a Little Bit
©2013 IRWIN Industrial Tools. All Rights Reserved.
Goes a Long Way
IRWIN Impact Performance Series Screwdriving Bits: Built for Impact Drivers While most screwdriving bits are simply compatible with impact drills and drivers, IRWIN ® Impact Performance Series™ fastener drive bits are engineered for impact tools. These forged bits fit fasteners precisely, so they won’t strip, and they’re manufactured with heavy-duty, cold-forged, high-grade steel, so they’ll withstand extremely high torque output. Plus, a black oxide finish resists corrosion, and a 1/4" quick-change shank fits all types of impact and rotary drivers. With three times longer life than traditional insert bits, IRWIN’s Impact Performance Series screwdriving bits will stand up to the most rigorous use and unforgiving jobsite conditions imaginable. When you need tools that work as hard as you do, IRWIN delivers.