Bristol Motor Speedway

Known as "The Last Great Colosseum" and "Thunder Valley," Bristol Motor Speedway is one of the most iconic and intimidating venues in all of motorsports. Opened in 1961 in Bristol, Tennessee, the track is a 0.533-mile high-banked concrete oval with a stadium-like seating capacity of over 146,000. The incredibly steep banking, which has varied between 24 and 36 degrees over the years, combined with the short length, creates extremely high speeds and forces drivers to race in close quarters, leading to the intense, action-packed racing for which Bristol is famous. The track's concrete surface adds another layer of challenge, changing grip levels as rubber is laid down. Bristol hosts two premier NASCAR Cup Series race weekends annually, including the famed Night Race in the fall, one of the most anticipated events on the calendar. In recent years, the track has also been temporarily covered in dirt to host the Bristol Dirt Race, reviving a NASCAR tradition.