With the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 less than three weeks away, the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities (SCC) is running full throttle in the race to help area children in need.

Fans have multiple upcoming opportunities to support the track-based charity, including the Jersey Mike's Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 30. That's when all seven Tri-Cities locations of the popular sub franchise will be donating all proceeds to SCC.

"We're so grateful for Jersey Mike's investment in our region's children," said Claudia Byrd, executive director of SCC. "This is the fourth year they have joined with us during their Day of Giving, and last year, they contributed more than $18,000 to area child-focused charities. We hope everyone will keep their delicious subs in mind as they head out for lunch or bring home dinner this Wednesday!"

In addition to the Day of Giving, a range of SCC premier-access packages and VIP experiences go up for grabs starting Tuesday, March 29, with the Bristol Ultimate Experiences Online Auction. These include:

  • The Victory Lane Package:  Watch the last 50 laps of the 2016 Food City 500 from Bristol Motor Speedway's Victory Lane, experience the winning team's celebration, and receive two tickets to the winner's toast held immediately after.
  • The Bristol Motor Speedway All-Access Package: Receive pre-race passes for the XFINITY Series Fitzgerald Glider Series 300 and Food City 500, Cold Pit Passes for the Food City 500, and lounge passes to the Ole Smoky Roof at Turn 4 located atop the infield media center. Last but not least — park in the BMS employee lot on Saturday and Sunday of race weekend!
  • Ride of a Lifetime Packages: Hop in alongside Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and more during driver introductions for the Food City 500. Includes driver autograph and photo!

For more details on the Ultimate Experiences Online Auction or to bid, visit www.bristol.speedwaycharities.org/events/bristol_ultimate_experiences_online_auction/ . The auction runs through Tuesday, April 12, 2016.

"We work very hard to involve our guests in all the fun and excitement that surrounds Bristol Motor Speedway, and it's hard to imagine being any closer to the action than riding along for driver introductions," said Byrd. "It's a great way to create the memory of a lifetime, as well as uplift children throughout our region."

Last year, the Bristol Chapter of SCC gave a record-breaking $805,900 to 90 child-focused agencies throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

Race guests looking for the best ticket prices for the 2016 race weekend should keep Friday, April 1, in mind. Prior to that date, tickets for Sunday's Food City 500 start at $64 for adults and $32 for youth (12 and under). Saturday's doubleheader starts at just $35 for adults and $17 for youth (12 and under). Weekend packages — which include the Food City 500 and the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300/PittLite 125 doubleheader — are also on sale, beginning at $89 for adults and $44 for youth (12 and under). Starting on Friday, April 1, all single-day and weekend ticket prices will increase.

For more information, visit BristolTix.com or call (855) 580-5525.