J. Ross Painting and Drywall. Cruising into Victory Lane at Bristol Blountville, Tennessee.

“Seeing Bristol Motor Speedway revitalized and race-ready made this an unforgettable project.”

They call it, “The Last Great Colosseum.”

Opened in 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee is a famous NASCAR short track that earned its nickname from its amphitheater-like structure. The site plays host to several major NASCAR series events, including the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race and the Food City 500. The latter drew an estimated 3.81 million viewers when it was broadcast on Fox.
So the stakes were high, and the time was short: J. Ross Painting and Drywall was hired to repaint the wall apron and safety barriers overnight between a Saturday Truck Series race and a Sunday Cup Series event.

Bristol Raceway

“With no time for pre-cleaning, mechanical surface preparation had to be done quickly to ensure proper adhesion,” J. Ross said. “Multiple crews worked simultaneously using high-efficiency spray equipment to apply coatings with precision, preventing overspray onto the track or wall tops.”

Another challenge was Victory Lane. The iconic stretch of asphalt is the setting for the winner’s celebration and media interviews. The restoration involved using a ride-on grinder to remove the old finish, then precisely laying out the white and black checkerboard pattern, with multiple layers to achieve durability.

They were plagued by a chemical reaction between the new and old coatings, which caused adhesion failure. They solved the problem by thoroughly stripping the old paint embedded in the asphalt.

J. Ross said that for a project with tight deadlines like the Bristol Motor Speedway, preparation and communication are key. The crew was guided by a detailed plan that outlined every step, including crew assignments and materials.

“Time management is crucial,” J. Ross explained. “For overnight work, have multiple crews ready to work in shifts and prioritize efficiency without sacrificing quality.”

The company also emphasizes the importance of the right tools and materials. “Use high efficiency tools, like ride-on grinders and precision spray equipment, to expedite surface preparation and application,” J. Ross said. They used Sherwin-Williams Macropoxy, Resugrip, and Acrolon for Victory Lane.

“The best part of working on this project was the opportunity to transform one of the most iconic racing venues in the country under extreme time constraints,” J. Ross said. “Seeing Bristol Motor Speedway revitalized and race-ready made this an unforgettable project.”

Materials Used:

• Sherwin-Williams A-100
• Sherwin-Williams Macropoxy
• Sherwin-Williams Resugrip
• Sherwin-Williams Acrolon