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 Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at the Knoxville Expo Center in Knoxville, TN.  Food City has hosted the highly popular event, which have contributed over $500,000 in proceeds to area non-profits for more than twenty-five years.   

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 4:00 p.m. and continue until 8:30 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 Helen Ross McNabb Center.  This year’s media sponsors are the Knoxville News Sentinel, WATE TV Channel 6 and WIVK FM 107.7.  

Food City has already received confirmation from several drivers and attractions, with more expected in.  Among those confirmed are Knoxville native Trevor Bayne, John King, Chris Lafferty, ARAC driver Blake Jones, NASCAR Whelen driver Chad Finchum, Newport Speedway driver Ed Surrett, NASCAR Legends Travis Tiller, Paul Lewis and Brownie King, Late Model driver David Kerr, Brian Voiles and Taylor Coffman, Kart drivers William Foster, Jr., Levi Herrmann, Brandon Morris, Steven Willis and Jenna Herrmann, 411 Speedway driver Ryan King, Chase King, Forge Muscle Car Ministries and drivers Tim Lopata, George Lopata, Larry Payne, Austin Payne and Jim Fritz and drivers Lester Sexton and Adam Gray.  Special appearances will also be made by ESPN Analyst Dr. Jerry Punch and Miss Food City Kayla Neikirk.   

Live entertainment is schedule to begin at 4:15 p.m. and will feature Cody Shuler & Pine Mtn. Railroad from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 - 6:45 p.m., Jessica Nixon from 5:15 - 5:30 p.m. and Kaitlyn Baker from 7-8 p.m.  Free food sampling will be available from 4 until 8:30 p.m., while supplies last.  Join Food City for welcome ceremonies at 5:30 p.m., as they pay tribute to Medal of Honor recipients Sammy L. Davis 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.’   

Bristol Food City Race Night will take place on Thursday, August 21st on State Street in downtown Bristol, VA/TN from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.  So mark your calendar and make plans to attend.  For a complete listing of Food City Race Night 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.