The appeal of Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway’s rich history and traditions lures guests from all 50 states and more than 25 countries annually. Caldwell’s predecessor and mentor, the late Jeff Byrd, was an innovative, customer-centric leader that inspired his staff to “Exceed Expectations.” Since assuming day-to-day oversight and management in 2010, Caldwell continues to build on Byrd’s foundation and pioneers new strategies to encourage new generations to visit the iconic destination. As a result of his dynamic leadership, he was named the 2023 Tennessee Tourism Leader of the Year Award winner, by Hospitality Tennessee.
After decades in the making, Caldwell power-brokered a deal to bring “College Football’s Biggest EVER” game to Bristol Motor Speedway Sept. 10, 2016. The Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol featured neighboring state rivals – the University of Tennessee Volunteers and Virginia Tech Hokies – meeting in the middle for an historic clash. The game set an NCAA record for the largest single-game attendance at 156,990. Of course, the innovative football game is only one of Caldwell’s major accomplishments.
He fosters relationships with Fortune 50 companies like Chevrolet and Coca-Cola, and he enhances other long-term local partnerships as the Speedway and Dragway continues to achieve major milestones. Examples include:
In addition to his direct responsibilities, Caldwell plays an integral leadership role with the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity that provides funding for children’s-based nonprofits within the 18-counties surrounding the venue. This past year the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities announced a charity total of $804,560, bringing the BMS-SCC career total to over $20 million that goes directly to more than 70 rural regional child-advocacy organizations.
Caldwell has served as chairman on numerous board of directors for local business and tourism organizations in the Appalachian Highlands region. He is also a member of the prestigious Leadership Tennessee class of 2018-’19.
From intern to full-time employee in the events department, Caldwell joined the sales and marketing department in 1997. The track honored him twice in the following years by naming him the BMS Employee of the Year and then recognized him as the Speedway Motorsports Salesperson of the Year. In 2009, he took on the role of vice president of corporate sales and only a year later rose to executive vice president and general manager of the facility until named to his current position.
A native of Lexington, N.C., Caldwell and his wife, Belton, are active members of numerous civic and religious organizations. In 2020, the couple were honored at the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption® at a gala in Washington, D.C. They are the proud parents of six children ages 4 – 18 and reside in Jonesborough, Tennessee.