Preparation continues in the transformation of Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway to a college football stadium in this Aug. 29 photo. This Saturday night's "Battle at Bristol" between Tennessee and Virginia Tech could smash the NCAA single-game attendance record.
In this photo taken Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, workers install the second goal post as the transformation of Bristol Motor Speedway from a NASCAR track to a football stadium continues in Bristol, Tenn. The track is being prepared for the Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol on Sept. 10 when Tennessee and Virginia Tech will play before an anticipated crowd in excess of 150,000, the largest ever to witness an NCAA college football game. (David Crigger/The Bristol Herald-Courier via AP)KNOXVILLE - Nearly three years after the game was announced, it's finally here.
For the past two weeks, construction crews and turf specialists have been transforming Bristol Motor Speedway from a NASCAR track to the college football stadium set to host Tennessee and Virginia Tech in the long-anticipated "Battle at Bristol" on Saturday night.
As the visuals go from printed pictures to real life, the former pipe dream turning into reality has dawned on Jerry Caldwell, the track's general manager.
"It's a bit surreal," Caldwell said before the Volunteers beat Appalachian State in overtime last Thursday night. "It's been a lot of fun to take people in who have not seen. The common word they're using is 'breathtaking,' to walk in and see this place completely converted. It feels like a football stadium."
The scene may be surreal, but after Tennessee and Virginia Tech struggled to season-opening victories, will the game be able to match the spectacle?
The Vols were fortunate to win, and only against the Hokies will Tennessee discover whether the disappointing performance is a sign of deeper problems. Tennessee's focus this week will be addressing the offensive line's poor performance, and there's some concern regarding quarterback Josh Dobbs' health after he took a vicious shot to his ribs diving for the end zone in overtime.
Virginia Tech trailed Liberty, a Football Championship Subdivision team coming off a 6-5 season, early in the second quarter Saturday. But Jerod Evans threw two touchdown passes just before halftime - the highly touted junior college transfer finished with four - to send the Hokies on their way to a 36-13 win in former Memphis coach Justin Fuente's debut.
Led by one of the most highly regarded coordinators in college football, Bud Foster, Virginia Tech's defense held the Flames to 160 yards and forced four turnovers. The Hokies lost four fumbles, though, and Liberty scored all of its points after those miscues.
"It's obvious - anybody can tell - we've got loads better to get," Fuente said, "to give ourselves the chance to be the type of team we'd like to be."
Bristol's transformation got off to a late start after the annual Sprint Cup Series August night race was postponed from Saturday to Sunday by rain. Facility preparation for the game began Monday, Aug. 22.
The early work included leveling the infield and putting down the artificial field. Caldwell said the focus now is "finishing touches" such as auxiliary seating and locker rooms, preparing for the Kenny Chesney concert on Friday night and working with television crews to ensure everything is ready to go.
"It's been really smooth," Caldwell said. "We were concerned - not concerned, but any time you lose a day when you're only dealing with 19, it concerns you. The crew stepped right in, and also you're having to make predictions on how long you think this stuff is going to take. Nobody's ever done it before.
"We built in plenty of time and were able to make up some time right on the front in. Right with moving that material in, we were a day and a half ahead of schedule when that process completed. We brought 450 dump truck loads in and got it really smooth and ready for the field, so we got caught up right away."
As the speedway completes its transformation, both teams will work to address their struggles to ensure the quality of the game matches what should be a wild, never-before-seen scene.
College football's attendance record of 115,109 was set in 2013 when Michigan hosted Notre Dame. A crowd of more than 160,000 is expected in Bristol.
"I have to slow myself down to believe it," Caldwell said, "because this thing's been talked about for 20 years, and to see it come to life has been fun."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.