Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway, formally known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Despite its small size, Bristol is among the most popular tracks in NASCAR because of its distinct features that include extraordinarily steep banking, an all concrete surface, two pit roads and amphitheater-like seating.

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Dragway

In addition to the speedway, there is a quarter mile dragstrip that hosts an annual NHRA event each year. Prior to its status as an NHRA national event track, the Bristol Dragway was the flagship strip of the rival IHRA organization; the strip's owner Larry Carrier formed the IHRA at the Bristol Dragway in November 1970. The relationship ended when Bruton Smith took over its ownership. The dragstrip has long been nicknamed Thunder Valley due to its location and surrounding scenery.

(Ironically, Carrier's sons now field cars in the NHRA.)

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway