Track tours still popular

BHC 0319 FanTour 05, a photo by Neikirk Image on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Jacob and his sister Anna Walker got some lugnuts as a presenst during the track tour on Sunday. Their dad, James is holding them. The family is from Arkansas.

Edwards gets banged up early at BMS

BHC 0319 Food City 02, a photo by Neikirk Image on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Carl Edwards looks up at a replay of the wreck he was involved in early in the Food City 500 on Sunday in Bristol. His crew did get the car back out in the race.

I am watching you guys

BHC 0222 RaceReady 02, a photo by Neikirk Image on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Workers attached a new banner on the Dale Earnhardt Terrace at the Birstol Motor Speedway on Tuesday. Sunny weather is helping the workers around the speedway get everything in order prior to the March 16 -17 -18 NASCAR event.

NHRA and Worsham coming to town in June

BHC 0518 NHRA Worsham 01
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Via Flickr:
PHOTO EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HEARLD COURIER

NHRA driver Del Worsham talks about his ride and the Thunder Valley Nationals coming up at Bristol Dragway in June.

Perfect Storm to stay in area

BHC 0322 WhelenTest 02
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

The Whelen Modified Series car of George Brunnhoelzl, III is at Bristol Motor Speedway on Monday as part of a test for Hoosier tires. The University of Northwestern Ohio, which first partnered with BMS in 2009 for the Perfect Storm 150 will extend 4 more years.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Jeff Byrd honored prior to race named in his honor.

BHC 0321 PreRace EN 12.pg
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Belton Caldwell, left, embraces her mom, Claudia Byrd, during the prerace of the Jeff Byrd 500 presented by Food City on Sunday. The Byrd family were the honorary Grand Marshals in memory of Jeff Byrd, father and husband, who was the President and GM of BMS and died last year.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Returning Troops surprise family members during Pre-race

BHC 0321 PreRace EN 11
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Troops home early from overseas were introduced during the prerace to their unknowning families on the track.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Busch and Bristol are one in the same it seems AGAIN!

BHC 0321 Jeff Byrd 500 EN 02
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Winner Kyle Busch gives two fingers up after winning the Jeff Byrd 500 presented by Food City on Sunday. He won this race and the Scott's EZ Seed 300 on Saturday.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Jeff Byrd 500 in the Books

BHC 0321 Jeff Byrd 500 EN 01
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Kyle Busch takes a victory lap around the Bristol Motor Speedway passing the Jeff Byrd 500 logo and the Food City logo which was given up for this one race in memory of past president and GM Jeff Byrd.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Autograph seekers get creative

BHC 0320 FanAutographs EN 02
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

This helmet is getting covered in autographs during the morning practice session on Saturday at the track.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Time trials good time at BMS

BHC 0320 TimeTrails EN03
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Jason Blonde set the record Saturday for the fastest lap ever at the track dubbed theWorld’s Fastest Half-Mile, zipping around Bristol Motor Speed way in 13.245 seconds at an astonish ing speed of 144.871 mph.

The record-breaking lap was on the last attempt of the day and came after Blonde had hit the wall in his Xtreme Sprint Series Sprint Car earlier in the innovative new Speed Trials event held at the track Saturday following Busch’s victory in the Scotts EZ Seed 300.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Busch and Bristol are one in the same it seems.

BHC 0320 Scotts EN 01
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Kyle Busch waves to his fans following the win of the Scotts EZ Seed 300 on Saturday at the Bristol Motor Speedway.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

The Boys are Back in Town to race in Bristol

BHC 0318 Bayne-EN 01
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Trevor Bayne plays around wtih one of his pit crew during practice on Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Danica first time to Bristol for races

BHC 0318 DanicaP-EN03
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Danica Patrick talks to the media on Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Bucky rocks the house for Food City Race Night

BHC 0319 BuckyCovington 01
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Singer Bucky Covington, American Idol fame, performed Friday at the Food City Family Race Night at the Bristol Motor Speedway.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

New Flag to remind those of the missing raised at BMS

BHC 0319 POWMIA 01
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Rolling Thunder raises a POW MIA flag during a ceremony Friday at the Bristol Motor Speedway.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Food City Family Fun Night good for all young and old

BHC 0319 FoodCityFam 04
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

85 yr. old Milton Bader is from Wisconsin and was getting Robby Gordon to sign his shirt on Friday at the Food City Family Race Night at the Bristol Motor Speedway. This was his third race attended and on Wednesday was going to the Bahamas on a cruise.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Danica does have a following in Bristol

BHC 0318 DanicaPatrick 01
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Kurtis Woodard is a Danica Patrick fan as can be seen by the reflection of her image in his glasses as he was walking around the vendor trailers at the Bristol Motor Speedway on Thursday. He even has a relative named for her back home. A racer himself from Wisconsin, who has been beaten by a woman on the track feels, " If you are good, you are good, man or woman."


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Remembering Jeff Byrd in turn 4

BHC 0317 Racetrackprep 01
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Terry King with Bristol Motor Speedway puts the finishing touches on the Jeff Byrd 500 logo on Turn 4 at the speedway on Wednesday. Food City named the race in memory of Jeff Byrd after his passing for this Spring race instead of the Food City 500.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Sign the races are coming to town

BHC 0317 Racetrackprep 04
Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Goodyear employees spent Wednesday putting tires on the rims of the nationwide series cars at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Thousands of tires will be used this weekend for both races.


EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER