Motor Sports Weekly News

Story and photos by: Drew Hierwarter

The August race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway just may be the most difficult event of the season to write about. What are you going to say that hasn’t already been said by every other writer in the business? That this year was the 55^th consecutive sellout? That the reconfigured track surface produced another competitive race with lots of side-by-side, and even some three wide racing all through the pack? That 160,000 fans seated under the lights around a half mile race track produces an atmosphere that creates its own excitement? Yawn. Yes, the Bristol night race is not an easy event to find new superlatives about.

 

There was the fact that for the first time in recent memory tickets were available. Whether it’s the faltering economy or some other reason, there were some season and corporate ticket packages that were not renewed. Many fans who thought they would never be able to get tickets to this event finally got their chance.

 

 

 

 

A new event for Bristol’s Race Week this year was the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour on Wednesday night. This was a highly anticipated event as the modifieds haven’t run at Bristol for more than 40 years. The race was a combination event for the Northern and Southern tour cars and defending and former champions from both circuits were on hand. NASCAR Sprint Cup stars Ryan Newman and Kasey Khane also fielded entries.

 

When qualifying was canceled by a rain shower, NASCAR officials decided to start all 40 cars that had entered the event, lined up based on points.

 

The race came down to a two car affair between Ted Christopher and Donny Lia. Christopher led the first 107 laps until Lia took over the lead. Then on a subsequent restart NASCAR officials called Lia for jumping the flag and made him give the lead back to Christopher. However Lia was able to resume the lead three laps later and stormed off to win the event.

The main attraction on Wednesday night was the 200 lap NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. There were lots of story lines in this race not the least of which was series veteran Ron Hornaday, Jr. going for an unprecedented sixth consecutive victory. Ryan Newman was also entered in this race as he was for all four of the weekend’s races at Bristol.

 

 

Kyle Busch got his third truck series win of the season when he crossed the line almost three seconds ahead of second place Matt Crafton. Hornaday was third followed by pole sitter Ryan Newman and then Brian Scott to round out the top five.

 

Busch’s luck wasn’t quite as good on Friday night as he was knocked out of the lead early in the Nationwide Series race. Series rookie Chase Austin cut a tire and pulled down into the path of Busch’s speeding car just as he had taken the lead from Kevin Harvick. The contact turned Busch hard into the front stretch wall and sent him to the garage for lengthy repairs.

 

Saturday’s big finale, the Sharpie 500 for the Sprint Cup Series was much better for Kyle Busch. Just as he had on Wednesday, he ended the night in victory lane. The fans were treated to a great late race battle between Busch and pole sitter Mark Martin with Martin trying everything short of knocking Busch out of the way to no avail. The win moved Busch to 13^th in the standings just 34 points out of the 12^th and the all important Chase for the Championship. His second place finish also helped lift Mark Martin from 12^th to a slightly more comfortable 10^th place with only two more races left before the top twelve drivers are locked into the championship chase.  

 

So, another Bristol Race Week is in the books. This one featured all the usual drama and excitement. The fans came from all over the country, had a typically huge impact on the local economy, and left the usual mountain of trash behind. But they all left with good memories, maybe a hangover or two, and already trying to figure out how they are going to score some tickets for next year. Because, after all, it’s Bristol baby!