Bristol Motor Speedway is a racetrack unlike any other; physically it is small, yes (only 0.533 miles) but when one enters the venue, you actually go DOWN, as if entering an open-pit mine. That oddity alone catches a fan unaware. Then the scale of everything else starts to come together. You realize that once that flag drops for Lap 1, those 43 drivers are going to put on a show the likes of nothing else on earth.

This year there are TEN good reasons to be "pumped" about Bristol racing (courtesy of Lee Spencer at Fox Sports and edited heavily).

1. Since the 0.533-mile track was repaved and progressive banking was added in the summer of 2007, the surface has had time to season. The track was also expanded by three feet. That might not sound like much, but increasing the width to 43-feet helps.

2. Last year's Food City romp had a record 42 cars running at the end of the race when both the surface and the car were relatively new. This is far, far from the norm. Is your philosophy "wrecking is racing"? Then Bristol is for you.

3. Paybacks are hell. Any rivalry that's been building in the first four races of the year will come to a head on a short track. And at BMS, rifts can develop over 500 laps. It's amazing how much can happen in a 15-second lap and mysteriously, brakes have been known to fail just when one driver who doesn't like another is near him.

4. With two pit roads, there's twice the mayhem during pit stops. Fans on both side of the stadium have amazing views of the action and antics.

5. Since owner points are reset following the fifth race of the season, this race could also be called the Pressure Cooker 500.

6. Paint it yellow. Cautions are generally in abundance at Bristol. A record 20 cautions have been documented on what is usually referred to as 'the fastest half-mile' three times, most recently as 2003.

7. Talladega has its own jail, but Bristol could use a boxing ring -- for the drivers. It's not Bristol if a helmet or two aren't tossed over the course of the race.

8. Four-time champion Jeff Gordon, who is looking for his first win in two seasons, shares the record among current drivers for most wins (five) at BMS with Kurt Busch. With both drivers enjoying tremendous success early in the season, that tie could fall this weekend.

9. The track is short, but the party around the facility stretches out for miles in every direction. Some fans enjoy the tailgating aspect of the Bristol experience every bit as much as the on-track action.

10. What other track could coerce legends such as David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and Rusty Wallace to come out of retirement to race? We can't wait to watch the Scotts "Saturday Night Special" exhibition race.

So there you have it! I am certain many readers could add to this list based on their own personal experiences, myself included. Suffice to say that BMS is one of the best fun and challenging racing venues.

Thank god my for HD big screen!!

Gentlemen! Start your engines!