As the Food City 500 race weekend approaches, RVs and campers are already filling the grounds around Bristol Motor Speedway, kicking off what has become an annual ritual for many.
For years, the event has not only drawn racing fans but also created a seasonal tradition centered around community and outdoor camping.
Among the early arrivals are longtime attendees like Tammy and Jeff Nelson from Franklin, North Carolina, who have made it a point to show up days in advance alongside a group of friends.
“That’s been the tradition,” Tammy Nelson said in a report by WJHL. “Our crew is always here early with us.”
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality industry, the influx of early campers illustrates the opportunities surrounding high-profile local events.
Whether it’s providing full-hookup RV sites, hosting tailgate-style gatherings, or offering amenities that enhance the social aspect of these trips, the demand is clear: visitors are not just coming for the race—they’re coming for the experience.
Tiffany Smith, a Bristol native who camps at the site despite living only a few miles away, highlighted the importance of atmosphere over proximity.
“We just live a couple of miles up the road,” Smith said. “But we still come down here and camp. It’s just the crowd, the people. We love the people.”
Industry professionals can take cues from this kind of local engagement. Events like these provide an opening to build community-focused offerings that go beyond basic accommodations.
Outdoor hospitality businesses can capitalize on the camaraderie and nostalgia associated with event-based camping by providing recurring annual packages, loyalty programs, or group-friendly layouts.
Keith Ball, a Church Hill resident, emphasized that his connection to the event is social rather than sports-driven. “We come up here to eat, and then we have friends and people come up,” Ball said. “And we just have a good time.”
Ashley Earhart Thronberry of Earhart Campgrounds reinforced this trend, noting that many locals return each year, even if they don’t attend the race itself.
“We have a lot of locals who come and just like to spend the week together,” Thornberry said. “They’re all friends. It’s like one big family reunion at race time.”
For outdoor hospitality operators, the key takeaway is that event-adjacent camping serves a dual purpose: it supports a love for motorsports and acts as a social anchor point.
Identifying and catering to both motivations can help operators better plan amenities, entertainment, and marketing efforts that turn a single weekend into a reliable annual revenue stream.