Once elusive dream of a BMS Sprint Cup ticket is now a reality for NASCAR fans
A ticket to a Sprint Cup event at Bristol Motor Speedway once represented an elusive dream for NASCAR fans.
A ticket to a Sprint Cup event at Bristol Motor Speedway once represented an elusive dream for NASCAR fans.
Thanks in large part to all the fighting, feuding and wrecking at the unique concrete oval, fans longed for the opportunity to witness the BMS spectacle in person.
Bristol was a must-see destination, but for the second straight year tickets are available for the spring race at BMS. Actually, many tickets remain for Sunday’s Food City 500.
Track officials point to the troubled national economy, particularly in the corporate sector, for the downturn in interest. Of course, it’s not easy to sell 160,000 seats in any environment.
To many NASCAR diehards, the problem goes deeper.
The reputation of BMS was built around mayhem and heroism. In a sport where everything – including the drivers and cars – has been increasingly generic, Bristol represents a refreshing change of pace.
When the track was widened in 2007 as part of a long-awaited resurfacing project, the number of wrecks started to decrease dramatically.
Instead of bashing their way past slower cars, drivers now have the option of choosing multiple grooves to execute passes.
Like it or not, fans love wrecks and they savor the arguments that follow.
Drivers such as Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace earned adoration for the manly way they overcame the carnage and challenges at Bristol.
From last year’s sweep by resident bad-boy Kyle Busch to the success of Carl Edwards, recent events at BMS have remained compelling the past two years.
Some key elements to the Bristol show have been missing, however. And it’s all about the fighting, feuding and wrecking that leads to endless debates between friends at the office or factory floor.
It’s no surprise that the promotional campaign for the Food City 500 has played off the high-speed crash and theatrics between Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowki at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 7.
Will there be payback at Bristol? How will the NASCAR rulers react?
That’s the type of drama and intrigue which attracts both the hardcore and casual fan. It’s been that way since the first races on red-clay dirt tracks in the Carolinas.
More than ever, fans need a reason to spend their hard-earned money.
Another big question for this weekend is how the changes to the corners at BMS will impact the action. BMS officials ha
ve extended the SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) barriers at the exits for Turns 2 and 4 by more than 160 feet, thus reducing the racing groove by nearly three feet.
One point is clear: there’s never been a better time for a NASCAR fan to realize their dream of seeing a Bristol race in person.
agregory@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2544
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