When Bristol’s racetrack opened in 1961, tickets were often given away to fill the 18,000 seats. Over the years, Bristol Motor Speedway has grown to 160,000 seats and legendary status among race fans. There is a fascination with the unforgettable moments that take place at the track, including rivalries that are hard to miss when you can watch all the action around the half-mile track no matter where you are seated.
Sonya A. Haskins, author of Images of America books Johnson City, Jonesborough, Bristol, and Soddy-Daisy, teams up with veteran journalist David M. McGee to produce the most complete pictorial history ever compiled about the Bristol Motor Speedway. McGee began writing about auto racing as a teenager and has been involved in different levels of the sport for 30 years. In addition to working as a reporter for the Bristol Herald Courier, McGee has served as a member of Bristol Motor Speedway’s public address team since 1998.