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 20, 2015 on State Street in downtown Bristol, VA/TN.  Food City has hosted the highly popular event, which has contributed over $525,000 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 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 Family Promise of Bristol.  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 p.m., 250 wristbands will be given out at 1 p.m. at the Armour display), Kyle Busch (6:30-8 p.m.), Regan Smith (7-8 p.m.), Eric McClure (5-6:30 p.m.), Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (6-6:30 p.m., 75 wristbands will be given out at 1 p.m. at the Kellogg’s display), Austin Dillon (5 p.m., 250 wristbands will be given out 4 p.m. at the beginning of his line), Joey Gase (5-7 p.m.), Michael McDowell (6-8 p.m.), Morgan Shepherd (7:30-8:30 p.m.), Gray Gaulding (6-8 p.m.), Caleb Holman (6-8 p.m.), truck series driver Chris Lafferty (5-7 p.m.), Whelen series driver Kylin Hammer, K&N series driver Chad Finchum, ARCA driver Blake Jones, Lonesome Pine driver Kevin Wolfe, NASCAR Legends Paul Lewis, Brownie King, Larry Utsman, John Utsman and Travis Tiller, Kart drivers Dillon Hodge, William Foster, Vintage drivers Danny Casteel, Brian Voiles, Gary Potter and Haskell McKee, Late Model driver Matthew Eades, Street Stock driver Colin Eades, Kingsport Speedway drivers Dennis Deese, Craig Phelps, Tim Abelseth, Kevin Darnell, Jerry Miller, Sr., Jerry Miller, Jr., Larry Bowens and Adam Bolyard, Pron Con driver Ashton Higgins, Mini Cup driver Heather Seal and drivers Adam Gray, Mike Blevins, Brandon Rogers and Chris Lowery.  

Special appearances will also be made by Hermie Sadler of SPEED, NASCAR Artist Sam Bass, Miss Food City Kassie Perkins, John Earnhardt, Jack Links Sasquatch and local authors Chuck Thompson, Joe Tennis, David McGee, Michael Manual and Larry Timbs, Jr.  The Food City Big Cart will also be on hand.  

Live entertainment on two stages is schedule to begin at 2:00 p.m.  Cody Shuler & Pine Mtn. Railroad will perform from 2-2:45 p.m. on the Pepsi stage, followed by Chris Lafferty from 3-3:45 p.m., Blue Carpet Corner 4-4:45 p.m., Budlight Illusionist 5:05-5:25 p.m., Hillbilly Bad 6:45-7:45 p.m., Cadillac Blue 8-9 p.m.  Performances will also be given on the downtown center stage by George Goode & Southern 76, Retroville and Shooter.  Join Food City for Welcome ceremonies at 5:30 p.m., as they honor driver Kyle Busch, followed by a Q&A hosted by event MC - Larry McReynolds.  Special presentations will be made to Richard Petty and Second Harvest Food Bank.

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.

Food City Race Night will take place on Thursday, August 20th  on historic State Street from 1-9pm in beautiful Downtown Bristol, TN/VA.  So mark your calendar and make plans to attend.  For a complete listing of Food City Race Night attractions, click here, where updates will be posted. Please note that driver autographs are limited to time available and schedules are subject to change.