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Buckle up, Nashville, because one of the summer’s most highly anticipated events is racing into town for a pulse-pounding, three-day festival of speed and sound.
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix makes its return to Nissan Stadium’s campus August 5-7 for an exhilarating weekend of fierce competition, lively entertainment, and speed you have to see to believe.
Last year marked IndyCar’s inaugural Music City arrival, and this year’s race is back with even more offerings to delight race fans of all ages. A 2.17-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit designed to challenge drivers and excite fans will take racers by Nissan Stadium and over the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge as they zoom into the heart of downtown Nashville. Crossing over the Cumberland River, this unique course is the first professional motorsport race to cross a body of water.
For this year’s race, several modifications have been made to the course to improve competition among drivers and to enhance thrills as fans cheer them on. One of the most notable changes is a new restart zone, moved to the long straightway as racers exit the Korean Veterans Bridge and approach Turn 9, to provide cleaner restarts and more immediate passing opportunities.
Along with track improvements, this year’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix also features exciting new entertainment options including a professional jet ski competition. The Pro Watercross series will stage its inaugural Nashville Invitational event on Friday and Saturday of the race weekend, offering attendees a riveting glimpse into the Pro Watercross National Tour. Marvel as jet ski riders reach speeds of more than 85 miles per hour cruising through a three-quarter mile, closed-course layout on the Cumberland River. The slalom competition, in which riders race on adjacent courses, will be held on Friday, and on Saturday competitors will face off head-to-head in a more traditional style race. Fans can watch the action from either the Big Machine Music City Fan Zone along the east bank, or on the downtown side of the river at 143 First Ave. N. Admission to the downtown location is free and Fan Zone viewing is free with event admission.
And the waterfront offerings continue into Sunday with The General Jackson Riverboat Experience ahead of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix NTT IndyCar Series race beginning at 2 p.m. that afternoon. Food and beverage options will be available on the boat all day, in addition to closed-circuit race coverage. Guests can choose to set sail from Gaylord Opryland or climb aboard at the boat ramp adjacent to Nissan Stadium. Beyond the excitement of the speeds, sights, and sounds of racing, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is so much more than the race itself; it’s a complete festival experience. The event features nightly on-site concerts from can’t-miss performers.
One is Grammy Award-winning country superstar Tim McGraw, who will perform Saturday night marking his only show in Tennessee as part of his 2022 North American tour. Following McGraw’s show on the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix’s ZYN Main Stage, the evening will conclude with a remarkable fireworks show over the riverfront. McGraw is the first of three concerts to be announced as part of the three-night series with additional (and anticipated) yet-to-be announced artists coming soon.
This year also promises even more food trucks to further elevate the fan experience. Highlighting some of the most delicious cuisine in the city, attendees can feast on local food trucks, food court offerings, or stop by the plethora of downtown dining options nearby. Whether you’re craving traditional Southern favorites like Nashville hot chicken, or a high-end dining experience from some of the most renowned chefs in town, Music City’s food scene will be on full display to satisfy every taste. Several activation areas will also be featured throughout the festival offering a wide range of family-friendly activities to be enjoyed throughout the three-day festival.
From intense competition among an international lineup of world-class drivers, to performances by some of music’s biggest stars, to unique entertainment and dining offerings, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that could only come to life in Nashville. A true spectacle of speed, power, and agility, race weekend brings a new sound to Music City for an unbeatable adrenaline rush from the first wave of the green flag clear through the finish line. (75 Victory Ave., 615-270-8705; musiccitygp.com)