Pepsi, the Speedway's new carbonated beverage partner, paid for every car that went through Speedway in Lights on Tuesday. As it turned out, plenty of people came out to see just what the surprise was as a near record crowd was on hand.
More than double the number of cars came through the holiday light show on Jan. 1 than have in the past on that date. Pepsi also handed out more than 1,000 t-shirts as well as in excess of 1,000 cans of Diet Pepsi Max.
"It was a tremendous way to start off the New Year," said BMS president and general manager Jeff Byrd. "We're very excited about our new partnership with Pepsi and their desire to take part in this special night by paying for every car that visited Speedway In Lights speaks volumes about their commitment to Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway.
"It was a great night and I think all the people who came out were very surprised and very appreciative of what the folks at Pepsi did for them."
Pepsi signed a five-year contract with Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway in late 2007 that will run through 2012. The partnership includes category exclusivity for all carbonated Pepsi-Cola products including Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mountain Dew and non carbonated beverages such as ready-to-drink Lipton Tea, Tropicana Juice Drinks, Gatorade, Aquafina Flavor Splash, Aquafina Sparkling, and Starbucks Frappuccino coffees.
Proceeds from Speedway In Lights, Powered by TVA, benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities, a non-profit foundation dedicated to distributing funds to qualified children's charities. Funds from the foundation directly aid children in the Tri-Cities area. To date, Speedway Children's Charities has raised nearly $4 million for area agencies over the past 10 years.
Speedway In Lights will remain open through Jan. 5. Hours are 6-10 p.m. and tickets are available at the BMS gate. Ticket prices for cars are $10 Sunday through Thursday, and $12 Friday and Saturday. Activity van tickets are $15 each night and bus tickets are $65 each night.
The Ice Skating Rink will remain open through Jan. 13, closing only on Mondays. Tuesday through Thursday, the rink will open from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday hours are from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday the rink will open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. The cost to skate is $5, plus an additional $2 for skate rental.
