Food City Names Byrd Family as Grand Marshals

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Food City officials recently stunned the NASCAR community with their decision to forgo traditional entitlement rights, opting rather to name the March 20 Sprint Cup event the Jeff Byrd 500 Presented by Food City, in honor of the dynamic President and General Manager of Bristol Motor Speedway who passed away last October.

Today company officials announced that Byrd’s wife of 36 years, Claudia, along with son Christian and daughter Belton Caldwell will serve as the event Grand Marshals.

“Our company normally takes several factors into consideration when selecting the race Grand Marshal,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City President & CEO.  “I have had the distinct privilege of working with Claudia for many years through our affiliation with Speedway Children’s Charities and like Jeff, she also is one of my closest personal friends.  I can’t think of anyone better suited to represent the spirit on this special event than Claudia, Belton and Christian.  We are honored to have them represent our company and our region as the Grand Marshals of the Jeff Byrd 500, Presented by Food City.”

Food City is Bristol Motor Speedway’s longest running sponsor and the second longest in NASCAR motorsports.  2011 marks the supermarket chains 20th year as entitlement sponsor of both the NASCAR Sprint Cup race in March and the Food City 250 Nationwide event in August.  The company also hosts Food City Race Night, one of the premier pre-race events on the circuit.  Since its inception over 20 years ago, Food City Race Night has contributed over $500,000 to numerous non-profit organizations.

Bristol Motor Speedway kicks off its 50th NASCAR season with Ford Fan Friday qualifying March 18, followed by the Scotts EZ Seed 300 March 19 and the Jeff Byrd 500 Presented by Food City March 20. In August, night racing returns with the Aug. 24 O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 and UNOH Perfect Storm 150 doubleheader, followed by the Food City 250 Aug. 26 and the IRWIN Tools Night Race Aug. 27.

Bristol Motor Speedway PR

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