There is nothing in motorsports quite like Bristol Motor Speedway. A half-mile concrete bowl carved into the hills of northeast Tennessee, BMS seats 160,000 fans in a stadium so steep and so loud that first-timers literally gasp when they walk through the tunnel and see the track. Known as 'The Last Great Colosseum,' Bristol has been the site of some of NASCAR's most legendary moments since 1961. On race weekends, this quiet corner of Sullivan County transforms into one of the largest temporary cities in America. Even on non-race days, speedway tours and the Dragway keep the thunder rolling.

Bristol Motor Speedway opened in 1961 as Bristol International Raceway, a half-mile oval that quickly earned a reputation as one of NASCAR's most exciting and demanding tracks. The steep 24-28 degree banking, short straightaways, and concrete surface create close-quarters racing that produces more contact, more drama, and more noise than any track in the series. The speedway has hosted the largest single-day sporting event in Tennessee history and hosted a college football game between Tennessee and Virginia Tech that drew over 156,000 fans in 2016.

Visitor Tips

• ›Book race weekend accommodations MONTHS in advance — the entire region sells out
• ›Bring hearing protection — Bristol is famously, gloriously loud
• ›The Night Race (September) has the most electric atmosphere in all of NASCAR
• ›Non-race-day tours give you track access and behind-the-scenes views
• ›Tailgating is a full-day experience — arrive early and soak it in
• ›The Dragway hosts events throughout the season for a different kind of speed

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