NASCAR
green flags Bristol race weekend
By Thomas Wilson
STAR STAFF
twilson@starhq.com
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- The race is on at Bristol Motor
Speedway this weekend in spite of the current war situation
and raising of the terrorist threat from "elevated" to "high".
After a meeting of Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS)
and NASCAR officials Tuesday afternoon, the revving engines
of NASCAR will go forward as the spring race fever rises in
the Tri-Cities.
"Everything is moving along as scheduled, and we
anticipate racing here this weekend," said Ben Trout, senior
manager of Communications at BMS. "Over the course of the next
couple of days, depending on direction we get from NASCAR, we
will look at any modifications needed in our security plan."
Bristol officials talked to NASCAR Tuesday afternoon
regarding the upcoming race weekend at Bristol. Sunday's Food
City 500 is expected to draw 160,000 race fans -- what would
be the largest crowd ever to see a race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in consultation
with the Homeland Security Council, raised the national threat
level from an "elevated" to "high" risk of terrorist attack
or Level Orange.
The decision followed President Bush's order Monday
night for Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave Iraq within 48
hours or face possible military attack. That statement infers
a deadline for 8 p.m. tonight.
In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon by NASCAR
President Mike Helton, NASCAR said it plans to continue with
the current 2003 racing schedule while closely monitoring the
unfolding situation in the Middle East.
"We will do whatever is necessary to continue supporting
our country's efforts, including schedule adjustments if deemed
appropriate," said Helton in the statement.
Trout said BMS heightened track security measures
shortly after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Those
measures had only been strengthened during subsequent race weekends.
"We have greatly enhanced our security operations
since Sept. 11," he said. Trout said hundreds of individuals
play a role in security at BMS. Law enforcement officers from
the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department, Bristol Tennessee
Police Department, and Tennessee Highway Patrol oversee security
and traffic control around the track during race weekend.
The U.S. Army National Guard and members of the
FBI are also involved in the race weekend security plan, Trout
said.
The last NASCAR race to be postponed was the New
Hampshire 300, which was moved after the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks. After the start of the Gulf War in 1991, NASCAR did
not postpone the season-opening Daytona 500.
Industry personnel, including merchandise vendors,
concession and food vendors as well as a slew of media organizations
started setting up shop near the race way on Tuesday.
"In addition to a large number of fans arriving
Wednesday, we will be seeing a large number of industry personnel
that set up here on race weekends," said Trout.
Busch Series racing teams arrive Thursday while
Winston Cup teams will arrive on Friday morning. The Busch Series
Channellock 250 will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The
green flag is scheduled to drop at 1 p.m. Sunday for the Food
City 500.
Trout said race fans were permitted to bring beverage
coolers and carry-on bags into the Speedway provided they comply
with size limits and were prepared for searches by security.
"We are still allowing coolers that fit in the
14-inch size regulation," Trout said. "We are cautioning fans
to arrive early to make checking in their seats faster and easier.
We have increased the number of inspectors that will be going
through the coolers and backpacks of fans going into the race
way."
Individuals or concessions groups who set up on
raceway property must receive official credentials from BMS
officials to be on site, Trout added.
"Due to some new NASCAR policies we've had to cut
back on total credentials," he said. "We have issued 1,500 credentials
for the media -- as well as industry personnel -- that will
be working around the race weekend done."
