Bristol Speedway Hides Free NASCAR Tickets Around Town

Imagine finding free tickets to a major NASCAR race while grocery shopping or walking to your car.

That's exactly what's happening in Tennessee's Tri-Cities region, where Bristol Motor Speedway and First Horizon Bank are hiding navy blue envelopes with gold seals around town. Each envelope contains two tickets to the Food City 500 race on April 12.

The envelopes could turn up anywhere. Previous surprises have appeared at bank teller windows, in bread aisles at Food City stores, at local restaurants, in the golf section at Bass Pro Shops, and even tucked under windshield wipers in parking lots.

Employees from both organizations are personally distributing the envelopes as part of their fifth annual Random Acts of Kindness Tour. The giveaway celebrates Bristol Motor Speedway's 35th Food City 500 and 25 years of partnership with First Horizon Bank.

"We have had so much fun with this program over the years putting smiles on many faces throughout the Appalachian Highlands Region," said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. The initiative creates what he calls "wow moments" in the two weeks leading up to race weekend.

The Food City 500 weekend runs from April 10 to 12 and includes three major races at the legendary track. Since opening in 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway has become one of NASCAR's most historic venues.

Sunny's Take

There's something magical about unexpected kindness. In a world where so much feels transactional, a surprise that asks nothing in return reminds us that joy can appear anywhere, anytime.

The genius of this program isn't just the free tickets. It's the treasure hunt aspect that turns everyday errands into moments of possibility. Suddenly, that trip to the grocery store or the bank carries a spark of excitement.

For five years now, Bristol Motor Speedway has turned corporate partnership into community celebration. Instead of traditional advertising, they've chosen to create hundreds of individual moments of delight across their region.

The recipients get more than race tickets. They get a story to tell, a memory of the day something wonderful happened for no reason at all, and a reminder that their community values bringing people together.

If you're in the Tri-Cities area, keep your eyes open for those navy blue envelopes with gold seals over the next two weeks.