What a Saturday night we had at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. On September 13, 2025, our RaceAway group soaked up every moment of the Bristol Bass Pro Shops Night Race under the lights, and y’all, it did not disappoint. From the ride up from Pigeon Forge to the last lap, the energy was electric. Our Bristol Motor Speedway NASCAR packages put everyone in a great position to watch Christopher Bell score a gutsy win, edging Brad Keselowski for the checkered flag as our whole section jumped to its feet.
Getting Our RaceAway Group Settled In
I met our guests at the Hilton Garden Inn Pigeon Forge, our host hotel for the weekend. The hotel sits in a great spot, close to restaurants and attractions, so folks could grab dinner, stroll around, or just kick back and relax. About a quarter of our group were returning guests, which always warms my Carolina heart. I loved seeing familiar faces mixed in with first-timers who were finally checking Bristol off their NASCAR bucket list.
As everyone checked in, I chatted with guests about where they were from and how they found out about RaceAway Hospitality. By race day, you could spot our crew easily: RaceAway lanyards on, coolers packed to track specs, and that happy race-day buzz in the air. I walked everyone through the schedule, cooler and bag rules, and where to meet for the charter so there were no surprises, just excitement.
Race Day: From Pigeon Forge to The Last Great Colosseum
Saturday afternoon, our charter bus pulled up right in front of the hotel. I rounded everyone up with, “Alright, y’all, let’s go see some short-track racin’,” and we loaded up for the ride over to Bristol. With restrooms on board and space for snacks and drinks, the roughly 100-mile trip went by in no time. Folks swapped stories about favorite drivers, past races, and which tracks they want to visit next.
As we made our way toward the track, I went over the September 2025 entry guidelines one more time, including cooler sizes, bag limits, and the reminder that bags are subject to search at the gates and concessions are cashless. I encouraged guests to use clear bags and to double-check their coolers before we stepped off the bus. I always tell everyone I would rather they ask questions while we’re rolling toward the track than worry about it at the gate.
We arrived with plenty of time to explore. Some guests headed straight for their pre-race add-ons with Track Walk or Infield Experience passes, while others wandered the grounds, checked out souvenir stands, and soaked in the scene. Standing down near the track, you really feel how steep that Bristol banking is. More than one guest looked up at the grandstands and said, “This place is somethin’ else.”
As the afternoon rolled into evening, the pre-race concert and driver introductions cranked up the excitement even more. Once we settled into our grandstand seats, we had a great view of the entire concrete bowl: every corner and all of the pit road action right in front of us. When those engines fired and the rumble started, it was short-track thunder the way it is meant to be.
A Classic Bristol Finish Under the Lights
From the drop of the green, the race had that unmistakable Bristol feel: constant traffic, side-by-side battles, and very little time to catch your breath. Christopher Bell and Brad Keselowski gave us a barn-burner up front. Each time they worked through lapped traffic or lined up for a restart, our group leaned in just a little closer, watching to see who would get the better jump and who would make it stick on corner exit.
Late in the race, the intensity really picked up. Bell had to be nearly perfect to keep Keselowski behind him, and our section was standing more than sitting by those final laps. When Bell finally sealed the win over Keselowski, the place shook. Guests were on their feet, cheering, snapping pictures, and soaking in that classic Bristol finish.
After the race, we gave everyone time to make the walk back to the bus. Bristol has some hills that will remind your legs where you’ve been, but guests had an hour – plenty of time to get back to the bus after the race. Once everyone was aboard and accounted for, we rolled back toward Pigeon Forge, still buzzing about the race and already talking about “next time.”
Guests’ Takeaways and a Sweet Note from Bill E.
One of my favorite parts of hosting these weekends is hearing from guests afterward. Bill E. sent us this note after the Bristol event, and it just made my day: “Just wanted to drop you a line and tell you how happy my wife and I were with our Bristol race package. First class all the way. Emily was a great host and most accommodating. We are now interested in doing it again. This time, the Martinsville race.”
I always say, if y’all leave Bristol tired, happy, and already planning the next NASCAR trip, then we have done our job. Hearing that guests are ready to book their next weekend before they even unpack at home is about the best feedback we can get.
Highlights from This 2025 Bristol Weekend
- Comfortable stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Pigeon Forge, close to shops, restaurants, and local attractions.
- Round-trip charter transportation between Pigeon Forge and Bristol with onboard restrooms so guests could relax and enjoy the ride.
- Optional pre-race experiences like Track Walk and Infield access that let guests see Bristol’s famous banking and pre-race action up close.
- A lively race-day atmosphere with music, driver introductions, and that Saturday night under-the-lights feel.
- A dramatic finish as Christopher Bell edged Brad Keselowski for the win, giving our group a true short-track thriller at The Last Great Colosseum.
- Warm feedback from guests like returning fan-to-be Bill E., already talking about joining us again, this time at Martinsville.
Wrapping Up a Southern-Style Short-Track Night
By the time we rolled back into Pigeon Forge, the bus was quieter, but the smiles were bigger. It was one of those classic Bristol nights—loud engines, tight racing, and a fun, easy weekend where all the details were handled so guests could just show up and enjoy.
If y’all are thinking about seeing the night race at Bristol Motor Speedway or checking out another track, we would be glad to have you join us on a future RaceAway NASCAR travel package. I would love to say hey in person and help you make some race weekend memories of your own.