The Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway, is a NASCARshort track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Despite its short length, Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking, an all concrete surface, two pit roads, and stadium-like seating. It has also been named one of the loudest NASCAR tracks.
The first practice session would occur on Thursday, August 16, at 10:05 AM EST, and would last for 50 minutes.[2]Kyle Larson of Chip Ganassi Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a time of 15.442 and an average speed of 124.259 miles per hour (199.975 km/h).[3]
The second and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, would occur on Thursday, August 16, at 1:35 PM EST, and would last for 50 minutes.[2]Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a time of 15.603 and an average speed of 122.976 miles per hour (197.911 km/h).[3]
Qualifying was held on Friday, August 17, at 3:40 PM EST.[2] Since Bristol Motor Speedway is under 2 miles (3.2 km), the qualifying system was a multi-car system that included three rounds. The first round was 15 minutes, where every driver would be able to set a lap within the 15 minutes. Then, the second round would consist of the fastest 24 cars in Round 1, and drivers would have 10 minutes to set a lap. Round 3 consisted of the fastest 12 drivers from Round 2, and the drivers would have 5 minutes to set a time. Whoever was fastest in Round 3 would win the pole.[4]
Kyle Busch of Joe Gibbs Racing would win the pole, setting a time of 15.389 and an average speed of 124.686 miles per hour (200.663 km/h).[5]
