Bass Pro Shops Puts Conservation, Family and Freedom Front and Center during Bristol Race Weekend
Donated paint schemes salute partners on the track while activities outside the track connect kids and families to the outdoors
Bass Pro Shops, the outdoor retailer and leader in conservation, is taking its title sponsorship of the Bristol night race to the next level with a weekend of events and celebrations that will inspire everyone to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors while experiencing the excitement of the Bass Pro Shops/NRA Night Race Week at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS).
"Bass Pro Shops is honored to celebrate conservation and freedom during one of the most popular and exciting races of the year by donating special paint schemes as a tribute to the work of our nonprofit partners and their ongoing commitment to conservation and education,” said noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder/CEO Johnny Morris. “Conservation is the only way we can ensure people will have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for generations to come.”
Donated paint schemes raise awareness for conservation
Ducks Unlimited
A special paint scheme on Martin Truex, Jr.’s No. 78 Toyota Camry will commemorate the continuing partnership between Ducks Unlimited and Bass Pro Shops. Noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder/CEO Johnny Morris is donating space on the race car to Ducks Unlimited (DU)--the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's waterfowl habitat.
Morris also donated funds to the construction of the Ducks Unlimited National Waterfowling Heritage Center, a free wetlands and waterfowl conservation museum, inside the iconic Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee.
Truex will drive the No. 78 Bass Pro Shops/Ducks Unlimited Toyota under the lights at BMS in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops/NRA Night Race 500-lap event Saturday, August 19.
National Rifle Association and the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum
Bass Pro Shops, a primary sponsor of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Ty Dillon in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, will feature a special paint scheme donated as tribute to the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum.
The NRA National Sporting Arms Museum is located at Bass Pro Shops national and the “Grandaddy of all outdoor stores,” the original Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield, Missouri. The free 7,500-square-foot museum celebrates the history of hunting, conservation and freedom. Visitors can see nearly a thousand historically significant firearms and numerous other artifacts including 16 original painting masterpieces on loan from Remington Arms Company.
Dillon will pilot the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/NRA Museum Chevy in the Food City 300 at BMS Friday, August 18.
Fun at Outdoor Days
In addition to racing action, plenty of fun options exist around and off the track as part of “Outdoor Days” at BMS. Trackside, families can visit outdoor displays and exhibits such as the exciting King of Bucks trailer, the NRA Shooting Experience and the Batbass mobile display. The whole family will enjoy participating in activities like archery, kayaking and the catch and release pond.
The Bristol Bass Pro Shops at 1 Bass Pro Drive in Bristol, Tennessee, will host Martin Truex, Jr. and Ty Dillon Thursday, August 17. The drivers will be signing autographs beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The store is also the prime spot to view the ShowCar Hauler Parade lineup which will begin at 7 p.m. ET.
For more information regarding the NASCAR Monster Energy Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Race Night visit www.basspro.com/NASCAR.
About Bass Pro Shops®
Bass Pro Shops is a leading destination retailer offering outdoor gear and apparel in an immersive setting. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today 102 retail and marine centers host 120 million people annually. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is known as a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”