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 16th. 

Over the past 27 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 Nationwide 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.  Over 50 antique tractors will also be on display at this year’s event.      

Food City has already received confirmations from several drivers and attractions.  Among those already confirmed are:  Knoxville native Trevor Bayne, Chris Lafferty, Eric McClure and Cole Whitt, NASCAR Legends Travis Tiller, Paul Lewis, Brownie King and Larry Utsman, Late Model drivers Harold Crook, Bobby Helton, Ross White, Tom Vann, Kip Sawyer, James Kelso and Josh Fields.  Vintage driver Gary Potter, ARCA driver Blake Jones, Kart drivers Michael Nuchols, William Foster Jr., David Kerr, Jenna Herrmann, Levi Herrmann, Jordon Horton, Tom King, Joshua Nipper and Brandon Morris, Mini Cup drivers Tim Crusenberry, Scott Crusenberry, Emily Cook and William Alsip, Supercross rider Kyle Cunningham, Smoky Mountain Speedway drivers Skip Arp, Bobby Griffin, Tommy Kerr, Donald McIntosh and Robby Moses, UMP Open Wheel driver Jimmy Dalton and USAC Quarter Midget driver Pierce Lockhart.  Miss Food City, Kassie Perkins will also make a special appearance.

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 5:25 p.m. Welcome ceremonies begin at 5:30 p.m., featuring MC Michael Spencer of WATE-TV.  Rhonda Vincent & The Rage will perform live in concert from 6 until 6:45 p.m., followed by Tony Justice from 6:50 to 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, click here, 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 17th from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.