Shut out at Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR fans set up camp next door

As is custom in the run-up to NASCAR’s annual races at Bristol Motor Speedway, the lampposts along downtown’s historic State Street were adorned with banners last week celebrating what’s billed as the world’s fastest half-mile track.

And in Social Circle, Ga., Mike Deehan revved up his 32-foot motor home for the five-hour drive north, as he does each spring and fall, to be on hand for Sunday’s 500-lap stock-car race.