Bristol Motor Speedway GM Jerry Caldwell over the last 10 days has watched his track slowly turn into what he calls a "football stadium on steroids," according to Grant Ramey of the Knoxville NEWS SENTINEL. In fact, the venue has "transformed so quickly, and so smoothly, that the Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol on Sept. 10 between Tennessee and Virginia Tech won’t be the last event of its kind that the speedway hosts." After 450 dump-truck loads of gravel "filled the infield and an AstroTurf football surface, the best part for Caldwell is walking people through the gates for the first time." He said, "The comment or word they use is breathtaking, to walk in and see this place completely converted. And it feels like a football stadium, it really does." As previously scheduled, East Tennessee State will "host Western Carolina on Sept. 17 at Bristol," but "more is on the way in the coming years" (Knoxville NEWS SENTINEL, 9/2). SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Michael Smith notes about 5,000 temporary seats "must be installed around the field, and players, "not to mention officials, need a place to get dressed." J.A. Street, a local general contractor, is "turning existing infield buildings into locker rooms, complete with showers, restrooms and new lockers." Track officials said that the transformation "will be complete" by Sunday. BMS Senior Dir of Purchasing & Technology Adam Rust said, "I’ve never bought a football field. You just jump right in, you find out who the best in the business is, and you get them to help you figure it out.” Smith notes the "most important aspect of the transformation is creating a safe 101,200-square-foot playing surface" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/29 issue).
