Bristol International Raceway
PO Box 3966
Bristol
TN 37625
USA
Phone Number: 423-764-1161
Distance: .533 miles
Banking: 36 degrees
How To Get There
The town is on the state border between Tennessee and Virginia. Take I81 exit
74 in Tennessee, or I81 exit 2 in Virginia, and follow signs to the track.
Where To Stay
Camping:-
Bristol KOA, I81 exit 63, Box 5024, Kingsport, 37663. Tel: 615 323-7790.
Motels:-
Comfort Inn, I85 Exit 5, Bristol VA. Tel: 703 466-3881.
Econo Lodge, I81 Exit 3.
Holiday Inn, SR 11w/US421.
Days Inn, I81/exit 7.
Bristol History
Bristol Motor Speedway opened in 1961 with its first Winston Cup Series event
on July 30. Jack Smith won that race in a Pontiac with an average speed of
68.37 mph. At that time, BIR was a .500 mi. track with 22 degree banking.
In 1969, the track was reshaped and remeasured. The turns are now banked at
36 degrees and the track measures .533 mi. The straightaways are
approximately 70 feet wide, and the track was re-paved
in 1991. The Bristol Raceway was re-paved again in concrete in the summer of
1992 in an effort to eliminate an asphalt stripping problem in the turns.
The surface grade remained the same however, and the walls were raised in
places to conform with NASCAR regulations. At the same time of the concrete
paving, a new pit gate was constructed in turn #3 so that race car
transporters could park in the infield area of the track. Previously, trailers
were parked on the outside of the facility. A 4,000 seat pavilion and the
"Horseshoe Stage" were constructed for concerts in the campground in 1993.