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 XFinity and Sprint Cup racing at one of NASCAR’s most popular venues.  The event will take place on Thursday, August 18, 2016 on State Street in downtown Bristol, VA/TN.  Food City has hosted the highly popular event, which has contributed over $550,000 in proceeds to area non-profits for nearly thirty 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 Disabled American Veterans, Bristol TN/VA, Chapter 39.  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 Brad Keselowski 6 p.m. (100 wristbands will be given out at Brad’s line beginning at 4 p.m.), Austin Dillon (250 wristbands will be given out at Austin’s line at 4:30 p.m.), Chad Finchum (5-7 p.m.), Eric McClure (5-7 p.m.), Greg Biffle (5-6 p.m.), Joey Gase (6:30-7:30 p.m.), Justin Allgaier (6-7 p.m.), Darrell “Bubba” Wallace (6:30-8:30 p.m.), Morgan Shepherd (time tbd), Derrike Cope (7-9 p.m.), Jordan Anderson, Jenna Wagner, Lexi Gay, Legend drivers Ashton Higgins, Brownie King, Gene Hobby, John Utsman, Larry Utsman, Paul Lewis, Terry Anderson and Travis Tiller, Super modified driver Brian Voiles, Late model drivers Austin Peters, Kevin Wolfe, Kres VanDyke, Ronnie McCarty, Terry Cregger and Wayne Hale, Street drivers Bobby Helton, Bobby Talbert and Dennis Deese, Kart drivers Brandon Morris, Dillon Hodge, Jenna Herrmann, Levi Herrmann and William Foster, as well as numerous other drivers, including Adam Gray, Carter Davidson, Craig Phelps, Emily Cook, Hannah Seal, Jerry Miller, Kevin Darnell, Larry Bowens, Robert Smith and Toby Jones.

Special appearances will also be made by Hermie Sadler of SPEED (7-8 p.m.), NASCAR Artist Sam Bass (5-8 p.m.), Miss Food City Azlinn Alder, John Earnhardt and local authors Chuck Thompson, Joe Tennis, David McGee, Geoff Stunkard, 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 1:00 p.m.  Cody Shuler & Pine Mtn. Railroad will perform from 2-2:45 p.m. on the Pepsi stage (in front of Tri-Summitt Bank), followed by the Magic of Eugene Mullins from 3:15–4:15 p.m., Jessica Nixon live in concert from 4:30-5:30 and a Q&A with Brad Keselowski and MC, Larry McReynolds from 5:45-6 p.m.  Join Food City for welcome ceremonies from 6-6:45 p.m., as they honor Greg Biffle and make special presentations to Richard Petty, Second Harvest Food Bank and Feeding America.  Brothers of the Highway Band will take the Pepsi stage from 7-8:30 p.m.  Performances will also be given on the downtown center stage by Thomas Taylor 1-3 p.m., Retroville 3-5 p.m., Marcus Boyd 5-7 p.m. and Shooter 7-9 p.m. 

Free food sampling will be available from 4 until 9:00 p.m., while supplies last.  Food City will also be dropping Pokémon Go lures along State Street throughout the event.

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 located just minutes from Bristol Motor Speedway.

So mark your calendar and make plans to attend.  For a complete listing of attractions, please visit the website at www.foodcity.com, where updates will continue to be posted as they become available.  Please note that driver autographs are limited to time available and schedules are subject to change.