The fans’ well-being and safety has long been the top priority at Bristol Motor Speedway and NASCAR has now reaffirmed that effort.

NASCAR officials at a recent security summit held in Charlotte, N.C. named Bristol Motor Speedway as one of the series’ top 10 safest and most secure facilities.

NASCAR Director of Security Gary Gardner said the tracks named had exhibited the best effort for both security and safety in 2007.

"NASCAR places a high value upon ensuring the security and safety of our fans and competitors", said Gary Gardner, NASCAR Director of Security. "This requires extensive planning involving a close collaboration between the public and private sectors. After evaluating all the tracks during the season, based upon numerous criteria involving security, safety, customer service, access control, planning, preparation, training, command and control, the Top Ten tracks were identified.

“In appreciation for the extraordinary efforts put forth this past season, NASCAR recognized those tracks and their public safety partners that exhibited compliance of best practices in Security and Safety for 2007", said Gardner.

BMS president and general manager Jeff Byrd was honored to be named among NASCAR’s safest facilities.

“Our fans and their safety and security are always number one here at Bristol Motor Speedway and we very much appreciate this recognition from NASCAR,” said Byrd. “We work very hard to make sure every precaution is taken and Dede Hash (vice president of administration at BMS) and our entire security team do a tremendous job. We have a number of local and national law enforcement agencies who work around the clock to make sure our fans can come here and know they’re in a safe environment. “

Bristol Motor Speedway’s first NASCAR events of 2008 are schedule for March 14-16 with the Spring Cup Series Food City 500 taking place on March 16, preceded by the Sharpie MINI 300 Nationwide Series event on March 15.