Tuesday
Cowboy’s Star, Jason Witten, Named Honorary Starter for Food City 500
Press Release
The 6-foot-5, 263-pound Witten, a six-time Pro Bowl selection at tight end, is originally from Elizabethton, Tenn., just 15 minutes away from the World’s Fastest Half-Mile. Witten, always excited about making a trip home, is looking forward to taking part in the Food City 500.
“This is really going to be so much fun; I’m really excited about it,” said Witten. “It’s great to be coming home and I really can’t wait to get out to the Speedway. The races in Bristol have always been a big deal and now for me to be able to go back there and be asked to wave the green flag for the Food City 500, that really means a lot.”
The 27-year-old Witten was a standout at Elizabethton High School and was the USA Today Player of the Year in Tennessee in 2000 before signing with the University of Tennessee where he starred for three years. In 2001, Witten was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys and became an instant star. One of the premier tight ends in the NFL, Witten finished the 2009 season with 94 catches and 1,030 yards.
Steve C. Smith, Food City CEO/President, is excited about having Witten wave the green flag on the Food City 500.
“Food City is a strong supporter of the communities we serve. We are especially honored to have such a wonderful native of our region representing our company for the Food City 500. Jason is a tremendous asset to his team and our area and I’m proud to have him as our guest,” said Smith.
The Food City 500 gets under way at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 21. Qualifying for the Food City 500 Sprint Cup event will take place on Friday, March 19 at 3:40 p.m. Qualifying for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 Nationwide Series event will take place on Saturday, March 20 at 9:40 a.m., with the race scheduled to follow at 2:30 p.m. The Scotts EZ Seed Showdown, featuring retired NASCAR drivers, will take place directly after the Scotts Turf Builder 300.
Tickets are available for race weekend, including a weekend package for all three days for only $99. Individual tickets also are available for each day. Ford Fan Friday tickets are just $5, Scotts Turf Builder 300/Scotts EZ Seed Showdown tickets start at $45 and tickets for the Food City 500 are $93. Tickets may be purchased at www.bristoltix.com or by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) BRISTOL (274-7865) or (423) 989-6900.
Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its 600 Racing subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary. The Company also equally-owns Motorsports Authentics, a joint venture formed with International Speedway Corporation to produce, market and sell licensed motorsports merchandise. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.speedwaymotorsports.com
Article Tags: BMS, Bristol Motor Speedway, Dallas Cowboys, Food City 500, Honorary Starter, Jason Witten, NASCAR, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NSCS
