We have all seen college and professional sporting events having “white-out” games, which are very cool to see on television and be a part of in person. But, if you have not seen, or taken part in a “white-out” game, you are probably wondering what I am talking about. What happens in a “white-out” game is that everyone in attendance is asked to wear white and this is usually just for one specific team, likely the home team.
Therefore, when the opposing team looks around into the crowd, the only thing seen is the color white. The hope of the home team is to cause a distraction for the other team.
Well, Bristol Motor Speedway is bringing two new aspects to its track to mimic college football. The first one to take place is on August 22, 2015, where there are plans for a “blackout” ahead of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race. All fans in attendance are being asked to wear a black t-shirt representing their favorite driver.
No black t-shirt representing your favorite driver, no problem. In the display lot of the track, prior to the race a certain amount of free Chevy black t-shirts will be handed out. Plus, if you miss the free shirts and do not already have a black t-shirt with your favorite driver, you can purchase one!
In addition, similar to when a college football game is a “white-out” and the home team wears white uniforms, Bristol Motor Speedway will have all-black Chevrolet Midnight Silverado Special Edition trucks for driver introductions and the track walls will be painted black!
Now you ask what the second aspect is where Bristol is going to mimic college football. That is the interesting one.
Being that Bristol Motor Speedway is known as the “Last Great Colosseum”, the track is going to host a college football game on Saturday, September 10, 2016. Since Bristol holds about 150,000 people this game is projected to establish an NCAA record for highest single-game attendance when the Virginia Tech Hokies and Tennessee Volunteers play in what is being deemed as the inaugural “Battle at Bristol, College Football’s Biggest EVER”.
How will this be completed – going from a track to a football field? Very simply
- Immediately following the August 2016 NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway, approximately 400 workers will immediately begin bulk cleaning, and then detailing, Bristol Motor Speedway
- Next an estimated 10-12 crews will begin pressure washing
- Separate crews will clean all suites in seven days
- Turf and field build will be completed in eight days
- Approximately 8,500 tons of rock will be used to build the base of the field
- The rock will be brought in by approximately 400 truckloads, with the complete haul-in process will take three, 10-12 hour days
- The base rock will be 3′-6″ deep in the middle of the infield tapering to 1-1/2′ on sidelines to create the proper sloping effect for drainage
Is there excitement for the teams? Virginia Tech head football coach, Frank Beamer, summed it up perfectly
“To be able to play in front of a crowd that is the largest to ever see a college football game is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” “With the great fan support that Virginia Tech and the University of Tennessee have, it should be a great atmosphere.”
I have a question about each though. For the “blackout”, if the track and stands are all black and they are racing at night, how will the drivers see in front of them? For the college football game, where is the best seat going to be?
