A new and innovative concert venue designed to bring some of music's biggest names to the Tri-Cities is coming to tradition-rich Bristol Dragway.

The legendary dragstrip, which has showcased the world's fastest race cars and iconic drag racers, will now add a new chapter to its legacy when it moonlights as a premier outdoor concert venue known as the Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health.

"Legendary Bristol Dragway has long been known for hosting a wide array of events that each bring their own unique audience and flair to the facility," said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway. "The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health allows us to create a new and one-of-a-kind experience for both guests and artists alike with one of the most beautiful and unique settings in the country. We're looking forward to welcoming some great performers to the region and showing them true Tri-Cities hospitality."

Tucked between two mountains, the Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health will allow both guests and performers to revel under the stars while enjoying one of the most picturesque panoramas in music.

"Ballad Health is honored to have this opportunity to partner with Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway to bring this exciting new venue to our region," said Alan Levine, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Ballad Health. "There are very few things more famous and more closely identified with this region than Bristol Motor Speedway, and Ballad Health is proud to serve the speedway and dragway, its fans and the thousands of people who visit and experience Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia because of it. We're a growing area, and we have a great future ahead of us - one Ballad Health is proud to support alongside the speedway and dragway."

Concerts at the Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health will join a long list of unique and entertainment options this year at Bristol Dragway. In addition to playing host to the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Father's Day weekend, June 14-16, Thunder Valley is home to the Bristol Chevy Show, Beef 'O' Brady's Thunder Valley Mayhem, weekly Street Fights and DER Bracket Racing Series as well as the NHRA Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals, among other events.  

The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health will officially debut with its first show on Saturday, July 27. The headliner and supporting act for the show will be announced later today.

Tickets to shows at the venue will be sold through the Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway ticket office or online at Ticketmaster.com.