Bristol Motor Speedway is kicking off March race weekend festivities on Friday, Feb. 22 with the start of the "Ride of a Lifetime" presented by Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tenn. online auction.
The auction gives fans the opportunity to take a lap around the World's Fastest Half-Mile in front of nearly 160,000 fans with their favorite driver prior to the start of the Food City 500 on Sunday, March 16.
Bristol Motor Speedway's web site will host the online auction where fans may bid for a ride with one of 15 NASCAR superstars during driver introductions for the sold-out Food City 500. Winning bidders will then ride in the bed of a Chevrolet pickup truck with their driver and make a lap around the .533-mile oval.
In addition to the ride of a lifetime, winning bidders will have the opportunity to purchase two tickets to the Food City 500.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Bristol chapter of Speedway Children's Charities.
Drivers participating in the auction include Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex, Jr., Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett, who will be competing in the final points race of his career at BMS.
The online auction goes live at 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 22. Bidding will continue through Friday, March 7. Anyone bidding in the online auction must be at least 18 years of age. Only ONE person will be allowed to ride in the truck with the driver.
The winning bidder may elect to give up his or her ride to a family member or friend. This will be permitted with the stipulation that the person is at least 12 years of age.
Fans wishing to participate but lack Internet access, may do so by mailing in bids to: Bristol Motor Speedway, "Ride of a Lifetime" Auction, Attn. Barbara Kaiser, P.O. Box 3966, Bristol, TN, 37625.
Payment for winning auctions must be received in full by Thursday, March 13. Payment methods available include check, money order, VISA, MasterCard or Discover. Winning bidders will receive a full refund in the event of inclement weather and cancellation of driver introductions.
For more information, please call Barbara Kaiser at 423.989.6975.
