There's a new sign that hangs over the infield/garage entrance at Bristol Motor Speedway: "WELCOME TO THE LAST GREAT COLOSSEUM," it reads.
Truer words have never been written.
Walking into Bristol Motor Speedway is still quite a sight, even for NASCAR veterans who have been around the sport for years. The competitors feel the same way, and so there's always a sense of anticipation for the 500-lap race.
Here's the NASCAR schedule for this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway (all times Eastern):
FRIDAY
10:30 a.m. – Nationwide Series practice (1 hour, 20 minutes)
12 p.m. – Sprint Cup Series practice (1 hour, 30 minutes)
2 p.m. – Nationwide Series final practice (1 hour, 30 minutes)
3:40 p.m. – Sprint Cup Series qualifying
SATURDAY
9:30 a.m. – Sprint Cup Series practice (55 minutes)
10:35 a.m. – Nationwide Series qualifying
12 p.m. – Sprint Cup Series final practice (1 hour)
2 p.m. – Nationwide Series race (300 laps, 159.9 miles)
SUNDAY
1 p.m. – Sprint Cup Series race (500 laps, 266.5 miles)