As the area prepares for the onslaught of race fans and RV’s, the folks at Food City are gearing up for the annual Food City Race Night, which paves the way for a weekend of action-packed Nationwide and Sprint Cup racing at one of NASCAR’s most popular venues.  The event will take place on Thursday, August 21, 2014 on State Street in downtown Bristol, VA/TN.  Food City has hosted the highly popular event, which has contributed over $500,000 in proceeds to area non-profits for more than twenty-five years.  

Join Food City as they honor U.S. Army Veteran and Paralympic Alpine Skier Heath Calhoun during welcome ceremonies beginning at 5:30 p.m.  ‘Born in Bristol, TN, Calhoun is a native of Grundy, Virginia.  While deployed in Iraq, Calhoun served as Squad Leader for the 101st Airborne Division.  He was severely wounded when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his Humvee in 2003, resulting in the amputation of both of his legs above the knee.  For his service, Calhoun received a Purple Heart.  He is an advocate for wounded warriors and helped to get the Wounded Warrior Bill passed through Congress in 2005.  Then in 2007, the WWP awarded him the George C. Lang Award for Courage in honor of his achievements.  In 2006, Calhoun began training with the USOC Paralympic Military Program in alpine skiing.  He competed in the 2010 and 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, taking home the silver.’  Calhoun will serve as the Honorary Starter for the upcoming Food City 300.  

Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty will also make on-stage appearances, along with Medal of Honor recipients Ron Rosser, Sammy L. Davis, Harold A. Fritz and James A. Taylor.  ‘The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.  Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress.’   

Fans can expect a fun-filled evening jam-packed with driver autograph sessions, show cars, simulators, souvenir trailers, entertainment and a smorgasbord of free food samples.  The action will get underway at 1:00 p.m. and continue until 9:00 p.m.  $5.00 advance tickets are available at area Food City locations.  Tickets will be $6.00 on the day of the event.  Children twelve and under are admitted free of charge.  Proceeds from the event will benefit The Birthplace of County Music.  This year’s media sponsors are Bristol Herald Courier and News Channel 11.  

Food City has already received confirmation from several big name drivers and attractions, with more expected in.  Among those already confirmed are Kevin Harvick (6-6:45 p.m., 200 wristbands will be given out at 1 p.m. at the Armour display), Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (6-8 p.m., 200 wristbands will be given out at 4 p.m. at the beginning of his line), Austin Dillon (3:30 p.m., 250 wristbands will be given out at 2:30 p.m. at the beginning of his line), David Ragan (6:30-7:30 p.m., 150 wristbands will be given out at 4 p.m. at the beginning of his line), Greg Biffle, Regan Smith, Eric McClure, Morgan Shepherd, Derrike Cope, Joey Gase, Michael McDowell, Joey Coulter, Brennan Newberry, Spencer Gallagher, Gray Gaulding, Caleb Holman, John King, Chris Lafferty, Jake Crum and Jennifer Jo Cobb, NASCAR Whelen drivers Jenna Wagner and Chad Finchum, ARAC driver Blake Jones, Lonesome Pine driver Kevin Wolfe, Vintage drivers Gary Potter, Haskell McKee and Danny Casteel, NASCAR Legends Paul Lewis, Brownie King, John A. Utsman and Travis Tiller, Late Model driver Tyler Goodwin, Kart drivers Dillon Hodge and Brandon Morris, along with drivers Brandon Rogers, Tim Lopata, C.J. Hulsey, Adam Gray, Mike Blevins and Jon Pittman.  

Special appearances will also be made by Hermie Sadler of SPEED, NASCAR Artist Sam Bass, Miss Food City Kayla Neikirk, John Earnhardt, local authors Chuck Thompson, Joe Tennis, David McGee, Michael Manuel and Larry Timb, Jr. and Mayberry Deputy David Browning.  The Food City Big Cart will also be on hand.   

Live entertainment on two stages is schedule to begin at 1:00 p.m.  Cody Shuler & Pine Mtn. Railroad will perform from 2-2:45 p.m. on the Pepsi stage, followed by Kaitlyn Baker from 3-3:45 p.m., Rhonda Vincent & The Rage 4-5:15 p.m. and Daniel Johnson, Charee’ White and Southern Edge 6:40-8:15 p.m.  Performances will also be given on the downtown center stage by Kids Our Age, Southern 76, Shooter and James Meadows.  

Free food sampling will be available from 4 until 9:00 p.m., while supplies last.  Shuttle services will be available from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.  Pick-up and drop off locations include: the Bruton Smith Building (front entrance) at Bristol Motor Speedway; Tower C/Speedway Blvd. at BMS; Hwy. 11E & Whitetop Road; Hwy 394 and Whitetop Road; Hwy. 394 & Copperhead Road and the Bristol Mall - Exit 1 off I-81.  The event site is just minutes from Bristol Motor Speedway.

Knoxville Food City Race Night will take place on Wednesday, August 20th at the Expo Center in Knoxville, TN from 4:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.  So mark your calendar and make plans to attend.  For a complete listing of attractions, please visit the website at www.foodcity.com, where updates will continue to be posted as they become available.  Please note that driver autographs are limited to time available and schedules are subject to change.