As the area prepares for the onslaught of race fans and RV’s, the folks at Food City are gearing up for their annual Food City Race Night & Antique Tractor Show, which will take place at the Knoxville Expo Center on Thursday, April 14th. 

Over the past 30 years, Food City Race Night has contributed more than $500,000 in proceeds to area non-profits.  The event paves the way for a weekend of action-packed Xfinity and Sprint Cup racing at one of NASCAR’s most popular venues.  Fans can expect a great line-up of driver appearances, along with show cars, simulators, souvenir trailers, entertainment and a smorgasbord of free food samples.  Festivities will get underway at 4 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m.  More than 50 antique tractors will also be on display at the event.      

Food City has already received confirmations from several drivers and attractions.  Among those already confirmed are:  Knoxville native Trevor Bayne, Aric Almirola, Justin Allgaier, Chris Lafferty, ARCA driver Blake Jones, NASCAR Legends Travis Tiller, Paul Lewis and Brownie King, Late Model drivers Kevin Wolfe, Sammie Russell, Jr. and James Kelso, Kart drivers William Foster, Brandon Morris, Dillon Hodge, Jenna Herrmann and Levi Herrmann, Mini Cup drivers Brett Baer, Emily Cook and Haley Baer, Super Modified driver Brian Voiles, Dirt drivers David Kerr, Philip Thompson and Jordan Horton, Forge Muscle Cars and I-75 Raceway drivers Alan Van Why, Justin Best, Kane Pelfrey, Nick Bowling and Ruben Mayfield.  Also making special guest appearance are:  Miss Food City 2016, Azlinn Hope Alder, Official NASCAR Artist, Sam Bass and Emily Ann Roberts, finalist from season 9 of the VOICE.

Free food sampling will begin at 4 p.m. and continue while supplies last.  Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad will take the stage from 4:15 until 5:15 p.m. Welcome ceremonies begin at 5:30 p.m., featuring ESPN Analyst, Dr. Jerry Punch and WATE-TV’s Michael Spencer as Masters of Ceremonies.  The Matthew Hickey Band will perform live in concert from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m.    

Proceeds from the event benefit the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.  $5.00 advance tickets are on sale at select Food City locations.  Tickets will be $6.00 on the day of the event.  Children twelve and under are admitted free of charge.  This year’s media sponsors are Knoxville News Sentinel, WIVK and WATE-TV Channel 6. 

For a complete listing of Food City Race Night attractions, visit the Event page, where updates will be posted. Follow us on Twitter @FoodCity#FoodCity500 #FCRaceNight.  Please note that scheduling and driver appearances are subject to change and autographs are limited to time availability.  Food City Race Night at Bristol Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, April 15th from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.