Jerry Caldwell has played a significant role in shaping the modern era of motorsports in Tennessee through his leadership at Bristol Motor Speedway. As President and General Manager of the iconic short track, Caldwell has overseen operations at one of NASCAR’s most famous venues and helped maintain Bristol’s reputation as “The Last Great Colosseum.”
Caldwell’s career at Bristol shows his dedication to the venue. He began as an intern in 1997 and advanced through sales and marketing before becoming Executive Vice President and General Manager in 2010. In 2022, he was promoted to President of Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway. Under his leadership, the speedway has continued to host top NASCAR Cup Series events and has become a leading multi-purpose destination for the region.
One of the most historic milestones of Caldwell’s tenure was the “Battle at Bristol” in 2016. This college football game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech drew 156,990 fans, setting an all-time NCAA attendance record. He continued this innovation by leading the 2025 “Speedway Classic,” which brought a regular-season Major League Baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds to the track and set a new MLB single-game attendance record with over 91,000 fans.
He was recognized for his community leadership. After Hurricane Helene in late 2024, he mobilized the speedway as the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center, serving as a vital hub for search-and-rescue teams and distributing essential supplies. His efforts through Speedway Children’s Charities—Bristol Chapter have also raised over $21 million for child-focused organizations throughout the region.