The Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway, is a NASCARshort track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Despite its short length, Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking, an all concrete surface, two pit roads, and stadium-like seating. It has also been named one of the loudest NASCAR tracks.
The first practice session was held on the morning of Friday, August 21. Mark Martin, driving for Roush Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 15.669 and an average speed of 122.458 mph (197.077 km/h).[3]
The second practice session was held on the afternoon of Friday, August 21. Bobby Labonte, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 15.574 and an average speed of 123.205 mph (198.279 km/h).[4]
The final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on the afternoon Saturday, August 22. Mark Martin, driving for Roush Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 16.143 and an average speed of 118.863 mph (191.291 km/h).[5]
Qualifying was split into two rounds. The first round was held on Friday, August 21, at 5:30 PM EST. Each driver would have one lap to set a time. During the first round, the top 25 drivers in the round would be guaranteed a starting spot in the race. If a driver was not able to guarantee a spot in the first round, they had the option to scrub their time from the first round and try and run a faster lap time in a second round qualifying run, held on Saturday, August 22, at 12:30 PM .[6] As with the first round, each driver would have one lap to set a time. On January 24, 1998, NASCAR would announce that the amount of provisionals given would be increased from last season. Positions 26-36 would be decided on time, while positions 37-43 would be based on provisionals. Six spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champion needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.[7]
Rusty Wallace, driving for Penske-Kranefuss Racing, would win the pole, setting a time of 15.530 and an average speed of 123.554 miles per hour (198.841 km/h).[8]
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