Bob Kesling, Johnny Bench to serve as co-grand marshal for NASCAR Bristol Food City 500
Bristol Motor Speedway will have some orange and red to help start the Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race.
Bob Kesling, the former "Voice of the Vols," and Cincinnati Reds great Johnny Bench will be co-grand marshals for the NASCAR race on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, FS1).
Kesling and Bench will give the command to start engines.
Steve Early, the vice president and general manager of the Vol Network will be the honorary starter, waving the green flag at the start of the race.
'It is a great honor to be selected as co-grand marshal for the prestigious Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway,' Kesling said in a release. 'It is truly one of the most iconic annual sporting events in our state. As a lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan, it is equally special to share this special honor with Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. Food City is a fantastic community supporter and has been an equally great partner with the University of Tennessee during my career.'
Early has served as the vice president and general manager of the Vol Network since 2004, helping oversee marketing, partnerships and broadcasts for Volunteer games and events.
Food City, the title sponsor for Sunday's race, has been a Tennessee Vols partner for nearly 30 years.
BRISTOL INFO: Where is NASCAR racing this weekend? TV schedule, location for Food City 500 at Bristol
'There's really no way to put into words how exciting it is to be the honorary starter for the Food City 500,' Early said. 'I haven't been able to put it out of my mind since the call came. To get to be part of a race of this magnitude and a venue this iconic is beyond special. This event has amazing tradition and uniqueness, so it is truly a dream come true. Sunday can't get here fast enough.'
Bench collected 2,048 hits, 1,376 RBIs and 389 home runs in a decorated MLB career as a catcher. He was named an All-Star 14 times, won 10 Gold Glove awards and won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975-76.
'The excitement of Bristol is like no other,' said Bench, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. 'I have experienced the action and found myself mesmerized by the drivers and their ability to race on a track like no other. The crowd was on the edge of their seats and the thrills were nonstop. Food City, I'm honored to be a part of it.'
Steven Smith, Food City president and CEO said having an all-star lineup of dignitaries is exciting for the race.
'Food City is proud to be the official supermarket of Bristol Motor Speedway and University of Tennessee athletics." Smith said. "We're excited to bring those two long-time partnerships together for the upcoming race weekend."
The Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series is set for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 13 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee.
The Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway will be broadcast on FS1 with Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick in the broadcast booth.
Friday, April 11: Weather Guard Truck Race NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Saturday, April 12: SciApps 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race, 5 p.m. ET (The CW)
Sunday, April 13: Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race, 3 p.m. ET (FS1).
Bob Kesling retired officially following the men's basketball season. He was the "Voice of the Vols" for over 25 seasons.
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY HISTORY: NASCAR Bristol race embraces tradition of over 60 years of history at storied racetrack
Mike Keith, the former "Voice of the Tennessee Titans," was hired to replace Kesling.
The Reds and the Atlanta Braves will play a regular season game Aug. 1, 2025 at Bristol Motor Speedway. This will be the first regular season MLB game in the state of Tennessee.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: NASCAR Bristol race: Bob Kesling, Johnny Bench co-grand marshal
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