Battle at Bristol

I traveled from my new home in Colorado to my birthplace (Bristol, Tn) for this unforgettable event. For so long it was only a hope, but the teams, BMS, and the sponsors finally made it happen! Looking forward to more large scale events like this one at BMS!!!

One of the best things I've ever been to!! Once in a lifetime!

We anxiously awaited the Battle at Bristol from the moment after the first announcement! We have a daughter at the University of Tennessee and a son who has followed Virginia Tech since he was six years old. While we were quite frustrated with the 2 1/2 hours it took to travel 1.5 miles into the parking lot, and even more frustrated with the 2+ hours it took to exit the parking lot, the event itself far surpassed our expectations! The event was top notch and set the stage for many wonderful memories! After the opening ceremonies and National Anthem w/ fly over, our 15-year old son turned to me and said, "Wow! That gave me Goosebumps!" When VOLS and Hokie fans stood together in reverence cheering, "USA, USA, USA", I think we all had Goosebumps! We loved the half-time show and enjoyed watching both school bands perform, and Lee Greenwood brought it home with "I'm Proud to Be an American"...again, Goosebumps! Wonderful outcome for our VOL; not so much for our Hokie! But, we all thoroughly enjoyed everything that happened inside that coliseum.

It was to HOT to have a crowd of drunks stand in line for more than an hour to get in the gate. Parking pass said gates would open 4 hours prior to kickoff and we missed the entire 1st quarter trying to get in after trying to see the vol walk. Then we waiting 45 minutes to hour for the tram to take us the the gate. The set up was NOT thought out thoroughly. I wouldn't get paid to go back to something like that. I am very disappointed I spent so much money and energy on this game. We didn't even make it to our seats.

I was very disappointed. My seats in the kulwicki section were 100$ and terrible. The tv screen was not centered and could not see it well either. We tried twice to get something from the concessions. After a twenty minute wait each time the line had not moved so we gave up. We found a place selling water for 7$ a cup. They did not have change for a 20$ bill so I had to give it back. Worst concession service I have ever seen. I will never attend another football game at bristol motor speedway.

The Battle at Bristol was the WORST managed event I've ever attended. I would NEVER go back to Bristol Motor Speedway for anything! If they host the National Championship playoff with Tennessee participating and wanted to give me a suite, I would NOT go!! The shuttles could not operate in the mob. The mob attempting to enter the gate was scary and out of control with no ropes and simply a mass of people attempting to enter at the same time. If someone had fallen or had a heart attack, EMT could not have gotten to them. The concession stands ran out of water within minutes of the game starting and ran out of food and cold drinks (other than beer) by the third quarter. We paid $132.00 for our tickets and there were no bathrooms or concessions on Earnhardt Terrace level. We could not see the game from our mile high seats and the person operating the jumbotron had NEVER done a football game. The jumbotron focused entirely on the Virginia Tech fans instead of the ballgame. While there were a lot of employees, they were uninformed and VERY unhelpful. The employees misdirected us several times. Virginia Tech had a cannon that was shot whenever they scored. Tennessee fans were not prepared and caught off guard with the cannon. The first time they shot it, we honestly thought a bomb exploded. Keep in mind this all happened in 90 degree weather. My husband is a heart patient and we felt at risk for the duration. I hope the UNIVERSITY of TENNESSEE NEVER PLAYS ANOTHER GAME at Bristol Motor Speedway. ONE and DONE!!!

We had a great time. One of the best experiences I have ever been apart of. Would definitely recommend.

The positives were the national anthem, the halftime show, and the postgame celebration. I really enjoyed the fireworks and confetti. The game was entertaining and I am thrilled Tennessee won. I am glad to have been there and to have been a part of history. The negatives were the lines for concessions, the lack of adequate staffing and stocking of the beer and concessions (some places were running out of items). The nightmare of getting through the gate and the traffic. While having Colossus made it easier to see the game, the people manning the camera needed to quit filming the people in the stands and focus more on what was going on on the field.

If you drink beer you would find it at every turn, If you drink water good luck. There were vendors out selling beer at 9 am hold coolers through out the venue. At the game itself we went to concession during first quarter to be told they were out of water. Just prior to halftime set out again and had to walk to the other side of the venue and stand in line for near a half hour to get bottled water. A 50 / 50 raffle was held and to be announced during third QTR. The drawing was held and the mystery winner was not announce just placed in a mystery Gold envelope to be reviewed later. Looked a bit shady. I guess the NASCAR events must be different than the college football atmosphere.

I was very pleased with the organization and all the communication BMS provided before the game. I thought the actual game day went as smooth as it could due to the massive population that attended. Long waits at the gates and lines of traffic getting in and out of the venue were expected for 156,000 + fans. The pre-game show, the game, half-time performance, and post-game were amazing and worth every dime spent. It was truly a memorable experience!! Only negatives were many drunk fans who tried to spoil the event for those around them and not enough concession stand workers for such a large event. Overall, great time and thank you Bristol for hosting the event!

Enjoyed the vols win. Bms was very unorganized as far as entry into track. Couldn't cross bridges to get to gates until 645pm after the Vol walk.. So opening gates at 4 was useless if can't get to them. Shoulda left open til few min before and few min after. We had seats 27 rows from track and couldn't even see the jersey numbers. Closest seats at bms were at least 100 yards from field. Very very disappointed in the handling of the giant screen in middle of field. As soon as play ended they panned to the crowd until two seconds before the snap. This is not nascar! Show us replays!! Since we can't see the field! Great halftime show! Had to watch most game on big screen

I personally was not able to go, but got tickets on the track for my grandkids ages 6 and 8 and their parents. Everyone was so delighted with the day long events that I was exhausted just listening to their excitement. Great time was had by all

The whole experience was awesome! By far the best vol walk, kick off and the national anthem with fly over was better than the super bowl. The half time show with Lee Greenwood was perfect. We sat in the Wallace tower at the very top. The players were the size of ants however the experience was second to none.

The event was great. I am glad that I made the effort to make history. I enjoyed the pregame Volunteer walk.. I was disappointed in the knowledge of the Bristol staff outside the colosseum . It was hard on the first timers at Bristol to try to figure out the lay out of the grounds. Plus, the shuttle service needs to improve. Overall, it was a great experience

First of all, kudos to all involved in transforming the fastest 1/2-mile Nascar track to a football arena that allowed a record crowd of nearly 157,000 to enjoy an incredible college football game! It was evident that an enormous amount of planning had to have taken place as the facility was pristine! Secondly, I can honestly say, I saw no fights, no drunks, and no tempers! Fans were very cordial and respectful; and all employees and shuttle drivers were very hospitable!!! I was proud of my hometown, Tri-Cities, Tennessee!!! And, lastly, I am proud of my my most wonderful Alabama husband who was such a good sport and yelled as loudly as I did and sang Rocky Top to the top of his lungs. It truly was an awesome time!!! GO VOLS GO!!!! GREAT JOB BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY!!!!

Gates 8 and 11 I know had 45 to 1 hour waits to enter, once they got through, and beeps going off everywhere, my tickets wasn't even scanned. I was very disappointed in the wait. That is on the security and track officials. Red Barn parking took far too long to exit as well. I go to the track twice a year, they should have been more prepared!

This was an amazing event! Very well put on and I enjoyed every moment. From the card stunts at the beginning to the halftime to the ending of the game. The only part I didn't like was holding traffic for an hour after the game had ended which put us back at our hotel super late but I understand why they did it. I look forward to coming back to Bristol motor speedway for another game

There were so many problems with traffic and the entry gates as well as total ineptness at concession supply that this event will not get many wanting to go thru the delays again. The manpower for handling those issues showed no preparation for the enormity of the problems and the management should have erred on overkill rather than saying you will fix it later. Nice world record, my team won, but never again!

The scope of what was accomplished by BMS, UT and all involved made this the GREATEST sporting event I've ever seen, much less attended. And that includes the Superbowl.

Event was great but traffic control was awful. Police were under staffed , needed more doing traffic control . Had to wait almost 2 hours to leave.