Attending a NASCAR Race During a Pandemic | My Experience at Bristol

On July 15, 2020 - NASCAR and Bristol Motor Speedway hosted roughly 25,000 fans, making it the largest crowd at a US sporting event in over 4 months. Here is my first-hand experience at the first ever Bristol All-Star Race.
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[@kmassey-do2sy]

Eric in review: "underglow was kinda a let down" Eric at race: "WWHOOOOO LOOK AT THAT"

[@erinbaggarly900]

Adrenaline at the race can have that effect on the mind. Everything is awesome there.

[@evanwallace4510]

Legend has it that Eric is still walking around Bristol looking for something to drink

[@crisp_toast2721]

Lol

[@DepravedCoTApologist]

He travels. He has no destination

[@3103Juan]

Lol

[@BenMyattt]

Bubba wrecked Everyone: Cheering Eric: Mixed Reactions

[@ChrisOhMy]

All the cucks showed their colors by cheering 43 being wrecked. Weak AF. Let the record show, it was a noose. IT. WAS. A. NOOSE. There's no denying that. Ahh ding dang doo, we're losing our cuntry.....waaaaah.

[@michaelhughes4421]

Chris O it wasn’t a threat on Bubba’s life at all, it was literally still on that garage the year before, it was just a bad circumstance because of how he placed in qualifying

[@evanprice7967]

@@ChrisOhMy Jussie Wallace can't get a Top 20 without a push from half the field.

[@ChrisOhMy]

@Sho Yu Weeni Eh, s' foreign.

[@ChrisOhMy]

@@michaelhughes4421 Still a noose though, bub

[@riffdane6459]

No water: oh no... No soda: okay... No beer: NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[@ii_ScottRiggs10]

How do we even drink lol

[@DennyDeliversYT]

Cole Custer does not like that

[@dirtyd9219]

Thats what the ride to the track, and parking lot is for

[@arthurpasseri1840]

You should've gone to Food City for the beer..

[@hammerheadracingmedia3823]

Now nascar is turning gay

[@therealbrandohall]

LOL @ 3:56 , I’m the big dude in the grey shirt staring at you, standing directly in front of Chase’s picture. I saw you coming that direction with the camera, and I thought I recognized you. I saw you a couple of times after that too in the area and debated on whether or not to say hey, since I wasn’t 100% convinced it was actually you lol. Nice vlog man!

[@corymcdermott5096]

Got to love Matty D....can't wait to see him get his deserved win.

[@ieatdeath-7724]

I don't love him but I'd LOVE and I mean LOVE to see him win

[@doctorvasoline]

No one: Absolutely no one: Eric flippin Estepp: THICC BOI Memes aside, excellent video Eric! I very much enjoy these vlogs, they have so much good insight to the NASCAR experience. Thanks for these.

[@SGC_Thunder]

I was there and was looking for you all. I'm a Chase fan so I had a great time.We were sitting on the back stretch so we were in the shade the whole time. So happy because it was blazing while walking the vendors And Eric, Bubba was all boos. He was only all cheers when he got wrecked

[@riffdane6459]

Colby T. Boos will always be louder than cheers, even if it’s not a majority. It’s sad.

[@dougnewbigging5799]

He got half and half cheers and boos in T1 and a end of the front stretch from what I heard.

[@hydroflow74]

We were sitting at the start/finish line, 5 up and it was about half and half for Bubba. I passed by Eric while he was hunting his water, but at the time I wasn't 100% sure it was him, so I let him pass. I wish I would have spoken up though, as he got me back into racing. Would have been cool to say hi.

[@crisp_toast2721]

18:10 reminds me of the cars movie were everyone was taking pictures

[@sugarrushnascarman1886]

Holy smokes, I'd bet in the movie, someone would probably get a seizure

[@sosedup]

Eric: every other urinals taking up so there is some social distaining Me:dude that's just a normal men's bathroom

[@assassin_yt5217]

😂👌🏾

[@dillonblackwood]

Yupp! Glad I wasn't the only one thinking this when he said that! 😂

[@justinhopkins3956]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@nascarisawesome5018]

everyone: doesnt do anything in pandemic Nascar fans: hold my beer Nascar: no beer allowed

[@jamescato7136]

They was selling beer.

[@nascarisawesome5018]

@@jamescato7136 not at dega

[@jamescato7136]

Dang that sucks. I figured you was talking about bristol

[@bigelile07]

@@nascarisawesome5018 It was Dega....no surprise. lol

[@hammerheadracingmedia3823]

Yeah, I was at menards as well for a while shopping and was suffering from the heat and was about to use the bubbler and I was about to pass out

[@thenerdsarecoming]

the one time i can go to an all star race, it's during a global pandemic. of course

[@clt.explored]

Lol

[@isaacpols2601]

I went there!

[@DennyDeliversYT]

You talk about Eric changing background? Here’s a montage of that lol

[@Jamie_Jane_Animatics]

I actually lived in Lenoir City Tennessee next to Knoxville Tennessee and the mountains are a sight to see

[@nicoflais8498]

Ok, te pregunte?

[@Jamie_Jane_Animatics]

@@nicoflais8498 ?

[@eulogiosevilla7950]

Crazyboy4000 It means “did I ask”

[@Slocusfocus]

Crazyboy4000 I used to live in lenoir city, now reside in west Knoxville...my parents still live there and own a business downtown! Small world!!

[@jack7nine]

I really enjoyed this video! it was awesome to see you enjoy the race with your dad!!

[@Torsk1007]

I love these at the track vlogs!

[@Torsk1007]

And are you going to texas?

[@MiddlePath33]

You know people’s minds have been messed with when they feel the need to apologize for living life. That’s why we’re here, Dude.

[@samnapier5277]

I have been to a packed house at bristol and I think your vlog really showcased the racing very well thank you

[@joenwc]

Me too. His vlog shows exactly what its like to be in the seats, short of the super loud sounds and breathing that wonderful exhaust!

[@trashcan1381]

These are the things that eric does that makes me binge his channel while studying.

[@MKY2891]

Eric not amused by Chase Elliott winning but by the drone

[@rowefamilyracing5388]

When bubba was wrecked I heard someone beside me yell traitor

[@JakeMcVea]

The nascar total experience is kind of boreing with out the FAN ZONE ( entertainment , driver appearances , merchandise haulers ect. ) hope that comes back soon .

[@randomgamer9769]

Jake mcvea yeah,that’s a great part of going.

[@jamesdb7115]

I was surprised Bristol didn't have a souviner trailer out there with the Chase & Jimmie trailers. I saw more Trump merch then I did Nascar merch with the tent vendors. Hoped to see some ASR gear even if it was knock offs. Lol

[@wizzhy8871]

James DB ive never been to the fan zone I would love to meet chase Elliott sometime

[@IRN87]

I sadly have never been to a race before but I can get the idea of how different it would be

[@timshottakes4673]

My takeaways are that the choose cone should be here to stay. I think that the All-Star Race should change tracks every year. Kind of like how the NBA changes the city they have All-Star Weekend in each year. Bristol was cool but the lack of laps didn’t really let the high line come in. It also seemed the leader was hard to catch once he had clean air. I would love to see them go to Daytona, Dega, or maybe even a road course👀 I think there’s a lot of options going forward

[@timshottakes4673]

Also Eric I love your dad’s rebellion mask lol

[@mike5racin635]

Daytona all star race!😍

[@timshottakes4673]

Mike 42 fan mmmmmmhmmmmmm

[@sueamlennon6834]

Thx ERIC ESTEPP

[@musclesandmascara8208]

11:21 I was there and that was not a mixed reaction we all cheered

[@dpaton2010]

Even though I watched this live on TV, I still caught myself mouthing "Come on Champ!" as Jimmie goes by in the opening laps. Great Job, Great Video. I will hopefully be there in September

[@iKaresaboutNASCAR]

It was weird, when I bought my tickets for the oval Daytona race in August, it was general admission. I bought road course tickets two days ago and got to choose my section. So I've seen it both ways.

[@jimreitz768]

Eric: “They’re crop-dusting us with fireworks!” LOL

[@bradruffini4765]

Awesome video, Hopefully we can all get back to the track soon!. Love your videos

[@jkcollect2707]

Hey man, just discovered your channel and really enjoying! I have rekindled my Nascar love this year and the season is going great, loved this video..great insight to a day at Bristol!

[@bclifton67]

Good video. My dad, oldest son, and myself all had our first Bristol race experience and thought it was awesome. Hope to make it back for a 500 lap race.

[@bayleepryor8433]

As someone who is attending the road course race at Daytona in a month I'm glad that you made this video. It's super informative.

[@Alex-sj6fq]

First NASCAR race I went to since the 2005 Coca-Cola 600. Glad you were there to document everything

[@p4nc4kemix4uTV]

Mixed reaction for Bubba Wallace mostly cheers? 🤣 I was there and no, it was not mostly cheers, it was mostly boos Anyone there would know that lol

[@lunalouhoo]

Bristol seems like such a cool venue to watch a race. I hope to get there one day to see one. I really enjoyed your video of it during these times. Thanks!

[@elviscobb5922]

We live a 10 hour drive from Bristol and still go. We think it is an awesome track. Go you will not be disappointed.

[@speedwayanywhere6845]

That was awesome bud.. Great bloog-a-mentary

[@daverichards9141]

This looked great, good for you dude!

[@steyrproof]

You did a great job on showing what it is like going to a race. Great job editing and really well done overall !

[@blakel.6151]

Thanks for letting us have the experience too!

[@nazicardanj3587]

Eric, good shots outside the track, gives a new fan perspective. You a right with the elevation challenges. You climb the banking to get to row 1. Opposite the main Bristol sign is a mountain that is terraced off for campers. You climb mountains all day.

[@dadude1425]

I was there as well and the way you described your experience was pretty much bang on. I was hoping to run into you since I didn't see you at the night race last August either, but no such luck

[@KirbyMD]

Seeing all those tents with diecasts, helmets, and all sorts of dope merchandise is surreal. Out here in Phoenix we get just the haulers which don't have nearly as wide an array of stuff to buy!

[@LeosNotFaking]

Such an awesome vlog!!

[@Stormynormy42]

Amazing that I'm in the background multiple times yet didn't see you, despite keeping an eye out for you while I was there lol. I thought that people generally handled themselves well and I felt safe while there, and that's as someone who had coronavirus pretty bad and fully appreciates the potential severity of the disease. The racing was pretty good, despite lacking the usual Bristol fireworks for the most part. I wish they'd had had some sort of on track activity before the Open to get the PJ1 activated, but I've attended far worse races, and the atmosphere was phenomenal. Paint schemes were hit or miss, as any number placement format has the potential to be. But, being there, it didn't cause me to be unable to identify a driver, and on the more well executed schemes, it made it easier by giving me multiple visual cues to connect with. I agree with you on the underglow, the Chevy color was too much like fire or sparks. I get that some folks say it's so gimmicky as to be over the top lame, but I've seen a lot of stories of kids that don't usually pay attention being transfixed by the lights. If that's what we have to do at night races to get the young kids trained to watch cars going around in circles, I'm all for it.

[@zumois_productions]

Thankyou for posting these eric

[@Bluecat33]

Came from Louisville Kentucky with my pops for our 1st Bristol race and had a blast

[@andrewpennycook4307]

Love it! Great insight!

[@purplerainsportscards8472]

I have been waiting for this!

[@markmesses9624]

Thanks for your amazing videos,man...it's interesting to see how a Nascar weekend goes and how a fan can experience it. I hope one day I'll be rich enough to travel all around the world to see all main motorsport events, not only the European ones 🤣

[@robertdahse4569]

Thanks for the trip to Bristol,was there in 1995 and 2003, great track

[@clemsoncarson4445]

Even though it was only limited but was really glad to see fans at the race especially it being at Bristol

[@nathanreed2610]

great video as always Eric!

[@JBeebeGaming]

From 1998 to 2015 I never missed a single race weekend at Bristol and those 17 years going down to Tennessee camping 3/4 of a mile from the speedway and the entire week was a blast and I never got tired of it. I joined the military and haven’t been able to make it back yet but one day I shall return.

[@lornegilbert9734]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@surgingsociety1116]

Awesome race, I can’t wait to go to a NASCAR race it would be my first one, although I’ve always wanted to go since I was 15.

[@bethanybarrow4380]

A++ footage! Thanks!

[@jamescato7136]

The lights under the big screen are new. The blue and green lights outside the track have always been there. I live right by the track they have those lights on every night. It’s really cool just driving by at night it looks awesome.

[@wid7125]

Great vid! Felt like they did a good job (except running out of water and beer?). The view from the stands especially the first green in the open brought me back to that feeling you don't get from the broadcast but only in the stands. And ya, Bubba got hosed. Hooking a guy is low no matter what.

[@jpsracing8732]

8:00 “Mostly cheers for Bubba Wallace” Play it again, it was mostly booing.

[@riffdane6459]

JPS Racing 74 that’s because boos are naturally louder. Oh well. Haters gonna hate.

[@laneroy6953]

The Fast Dane I mean I was there and atleast 70% were boos

[@jpsracing8732]

@@riffdane6459 I was at the Bristol race sitting in turn 2. There was very little clapping when they introduced Bubba Wallace.

[@riffdane6459]

John Doe again, boos are naturally louder than cheers, especially in a stadium like that *shrugs* either way, haters gonna hate. McDowell will only be known for his flip at Texas. During qualifying. What a joke.

[@a1w23]

@@riffdane6459 Bubba is only going to be known for being black.

[@XXxCHRISxXX]

I took my sister to her 1st Nascar race at this race. I thought it was freakin hot🔥🔥🔥 in turn 4! My sister was pulling for Blaney, but we had a great time. Chase won and it was a great night! 👍👍Good review, Thanks for sharing.✌

[@robertwitkowski1650]

Great coverage Eric!

[@danielgobble6517]

Glad to see you make it to Bristol, I've been going there since '95. You were parked in the Earheart campground and parking that is sponsored by Toyota. Nascar don't own that parking so I'm sure in that area Nascar had no control, as in covid social distancing or even the flag ban (which was banned years ago as well 😅). But in the Nascar controlled area's it did seem to follow good practices, bravo Nascar and keep it up. This is huge for all sports moving forward.

[@jasonschwartz9530]

Eric - Awesome job on the vid. Worked so hard as usual, but my favorite part is your dad's Star Wars mask! Lol.

[@DylanGWatson]

I live in Bristol and it’s a good little place😂. But nice video bro, keep up the good work

[@tylerfarrar8980]

Your dad was so amped at the end, you love to see it 😂😂

[@Sorathedemon]

Got my mother tickets to this race for mother's day since she was a big fan of Nascar since the 70s, got to sit in Earnhardt Terrace. Loved the race and will say the moved back numbers didn't do too bad. The underglow was alright, wished it matched the color scheme of the cars but it was still something nice and new. Good race either way. Hadn't been to a race since 2003 so not too bad for a pandemic race! :D

[@RowdyMajor8]

Had awesome time at Bristol last Wednesday, got to meet The Iceberg, and Black Flags Matter before the race. I wish I could've met you and Danny B as well, but hopefully in September I'll get to. But I can't express enough about how much I enjoyed BMS. Last Wednesday was my first time there, and it was the best NASCAR experience I've ever had. Also, I am a huge fan of your channel, I watch your videos on a regular basis. Hope to see you in September. Keep doing what you're doing, and I'm eventually going to get a video editing program and start making NASCAR videos. And you knows maybe I'll be a part of the NASCAR KZbin family, just have to wait and see. But take care, hope you enjoyed the race, and hopefully I'll see you and everyone else again in September. ✌

[@iz.1478]

Man i want to go to bristol so bad but at least i can see vlogs about it and this race was awesome.

[@craigtubbyful]

I’m from New Zealand and this track is 100000000% on the bucket list looks epic asf

[@ivancano5452]

THAT'S INCREDIBLE!!!

[@tpgyt5469]

I like the all star race at Bristol. I watched it with my uncle this year we were down in Florida. I really think that if NASCAR had the all star race at Talledega or Daytona that would be absolute destruction in the track. It would be hella cool there.

[@iceeblueburst03]

Nice vlog you’re doing when you were at the Bristol for the NASCAR Cup Series All Star race. I have to admit, 30,000 fans is a lot considering we’re still on a pandemic right now. Social distancing must’ve been a challenge with that amount of people. But overall, nice vlog you recorded while you’re at Bristol! 😃😁👍

[@Gwalt4life]

I always love those white tent deals. My friends and I always spend $100-$200 per race weekend on a ton of old diecasts

[@kylebushisaass5896]

If they can do this for the NFL have them 6 to 10 feet apart then there is no problem with having fans in the NFL

[@Riley0798]

I was into the Allison terrace to!!! Cool running into you after the race

[@rudyk5518]

Eric has pretty good camera work. Good job!

[@CamohFN]

I usually dont watch to much of the part where you film the race but at bristol it was really entertaining, wish you filmed more

[@81millionvotes]

Very cool video..well done!

[@JacobNascar]

Man you had an awesome view! I was in the middle of turn one. My first time in Bristol and Nascar earned a new fan to the sport as I brought a buddy with me! Hes begging to go to Talledega later this year! Too bad my "Insert girls numbers here" sign didnt work

[@evanj2400]

OH SHOOT IM RIGHT BEHIND YOU! 😂😂😂 LOL

[@craigpinto3577]

Love your videos I am a 48 fan and hope he can win a race some time this year.

[@stephenisaiahstarr3552]

The race was amazing especially at Bristol Motor Speedway for a all star race. I watched the race on TV.

[@minnesotaman3]

I loved how Kyle Busch's car looks with the number slid over also i feel like the open was the more entertaining race more single file racing in the second race and less tempers flaring

[@joerockme7485]

YOU DID A GOOD JOB .....I LIVE IN FRONT OF THE TRACK !

[@joshuadramsey]

Bristol! Not even the drivers can socially distance there! I haven't been a fan for 20 years, but I remember getting excited seeing Bristol Motor Speedway while on a vacation in the national forest near the city in 1993. My friends' parents also took us on a short detour to Kannapolis, NC to Earnhardt Sr's garage, so lots of good NASCAR memories from that trip, even without an actual race. (Sadly, I never saw a race.)

[@joshuadramsey]

And a sad NASCAR thing I remember about that Bristol trip was, almost immediately on returning home, I learned of Davey Allison's death. My friends and I were huge Earnhardt fans and Chevy partisans, so we'd been making fun of Allison all week of our trip, so we all kind of felt bad about that after his accident.

[@BeavinTime66]

ITS BRIIIIISTOLLLLL BABYYYYYYYYYYYY

[@stringking24]

thank you for doing this awesome

[@CoryTheCameraman]

Awesome experience! Was a little dull but oh well! Tbh one of the highlights was meeting Joseph and Eric! I cant wait to get home and edit my vlog!

[@directvcupseries726]

Nice glad u had fun im going to dover on the 23rd with my dad and friend later and I can't wait cause its my first ever race and I really hope Jimbo wins his last race at dover

[@IntheSip]

Thanks Eric.

[@rossedwardmiller]

A lot of stadiums refused to buy, or sent back beer at the beginning of the pandemic because of attendance uncertainties. Here in Baltimore the big beer distributors ran crazy deals trying to sell all the extra inventory they had on hand that Camden yards refused, selling all of it to stores in the area. That might explain the lack of beverages at the track.

[@richardholland53]

Was there very good race! Bring it back next year!!!

[@JorbyTinky]

95 - 97, Jeff was sponsored by Coke. There's even an old commercial with him and Ray Evernham!

[@hehe-IgoBRRRR]

Eric I was about in that same spot in the 2019 fall Bristol race lol, same rows of seats but further to the finish line. Also 19:23 looks like a scene from cars

[@cotydale]

this was an amazing experience for me...my first NASCAR race and at Bristol and im a Elliott Fan!!!! I was TOTALLY unprepared for the speed and noise lol I was on row 6 on the back stretch going into turn 3....im hooked for life now

[@elviscobb5922]

Yes, that's how it happens. You go once then your hooked.

[@cay7809]

Eyyy another Elliot fan :D

[@robbinscarberry8085]

I was there as well. I think everything you said about the experience was spot on. I’d say inside the concession area the number I saw wearing masks was pretty high. I’d probably say 90% or more. BMS did a great job. I saw several workers wiping down hand rails in the grandstands. I felt safe. I can’t wait to do it again.

[@randallgoeswhere]

Ive never been to a Nascar event but that stadium looks sick af.

[@DH2906PRODUCTIONS]

Tell your dad I like the rebel logo on his mask. Also thanks for the video

[@Bsbl-xf2nq]

I live 3 hours away and should've gone. That was a good race. Call me bias but the neon was 🔥. Keep the Choose Rule also, that wasn't bad.

[@mattyounis5636]

So awesome you got to do something like that with your dad