Bristol Motor Speedway to host drives in wake of deadly Gatlinburg wildfires

By Chase Wilhelm
Published

After devastating wildfires swept through Gatlinburg and Sevier County in Tennessee, Bristol Motor Speedway is stepping in to help.

Bristol and Food City grocery stores have teamed up to host a number of relief effort initiatives.

The speedway has opened the Medallion campground to campers and the RV community displaced by the fires. The lot offers complimentary camping spaces with full water and electrical hook-up, free of charge. Those interested have been directed to contact the BMS ticket office at 423-BRISTOL.

"While we can’t undo the damage from wildfires, we can all play a major role in relief efforts by donating money,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“Gatlinburg and Sevier County hold a special place in the hearts of NASCAR fans, Food City and all of us at Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway. When you visit the Speedway this holiday season, we encourage you to bring along a little something extra to help our neighbors in need.”

From Thursday, Dec. 1 through Wednesday, Dec. 7, Food City locations throughout Kentucky, Virginia and east Tennessee will participate a fundraising campaign to help those affected by the fires.

Customers at participating stores can make monetary donations at checkout, with 100 percent of the funds raised benefitting the Gatlinburg/Sevier County Relief Fund.

The company has also pledged a $50,000 contribution and has donated a tractor-trailer load of bottled water and Gatorade for crews battling the fires and cleaning up.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, BMS will also be collecting donations for the relief fund from The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights, and in addition, the speedway will match proceeds raised that day.

Anyone interested in making a monetary donation via Bristol Motor Speedway can call or visit the main ticket office at the O. Bruton Smith Building during normal business hours (Mon. -Thurs: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m., Fri: 9 a.m.- 7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.).