Race fans who thought they had seen the last race of Darrell Waltrip, Harry Gant or David Pearson, even the legendary Junior Johnson, are in for a big surprise.
Those champion drivers and more are scheduled to be a part of the first Saturday Night Special at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday, March 21.
Paired with celebrity partners, these legendary racers will run 35 circuits of a 50-lap event to benefit charity and send race fans on a trip down memory lane.
“We made a decision over the winter to take what we believe is the best fan experience in racing and make it even better,” said Jeff Byrd, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “When we started talking about this, we wanted to take the Food City 500 weekend to another level. We believe having these celebrated drivers back on a track where they all have won in a stock car does that. These guys helped make Bristol.
“Now, on top of the Scotts Turf Builder 300 Nationwide race and a 100-lap late model race we have added to the day, fans will get this to top off their evening for absolutely no added cost. Added value, but no added cost.”
Assigned teammates will start the race and run 15 laps. At the end of that segment, some of Bristol’s best will start the second portion of the race in the order of finish of the first.
Drivers will be competing in late model stock cars and $25,000 will be donated to the charity of choice of the winning team. The second-place team will have $10,000 given to the charity of its choice and $5,000 will go to the designated charity of the other entrants.
But … that big Bristol trophy they get to keep for themselves.
“It’s been a while,” said Johnson, who has one win as a driver, but 20 at BMS as a car owner. “But I think I can still turn some laps around this place. Darrell better buckle up.”
Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, Jimmy Spencer and Phil Parsons also are expected to compete.
Dale Jarrett, Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace and Cale Yarborough were extended invitations.
“We fully expect more drivers to be added to this list,” said Byrd. “This is really going to be a great event, a lot of fun, so I believe the field definitely could expand.”
The Saturday Night Special will take place after the completion of the Scotts Turf Builder 300 Nationwide Series race and the 100-lap UARA late model event.
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