Anthony Locicero, Associate editor03.23.21
The aluminum bleachers of Bristol Motor Speedway were coated with paint – in red, white and blue – formulated with Eastman Tetrashield protective resin systems, Eastman announced.
Completing the application in 2020, race fans around the world will be able to see the results for themselves this season––whether they visit in person or enjoy the action on television, Eastman said.
“It has a nice, vibrant look, and race fans will put it to the test with heavy foot traffic, big coolers and spilled beverages,” said Adam Rust, VP for events and operations at Bristol.
The venue hosts major NASCAR races, concerts, football games and other events.
The speedway is located 20 miles from Kingsport, Tennessee, home to Eastman’s global headquarters.
“We’re proud that we’re able to use a paint with a locally sourced Eastman product and technology,” Rust said. “We’re also happy to recommend it to other tracks.”
Eastman launched Tetrashield, which is used in a variety of markets, from automotive to metal packaging to industrial protection, in 2016.
The speedway purchased VSC 1200, an advanced polyurethane industrial maintenance paint from US Coatings, an Eastman customer.
US Coatings is a brand of Seal For Life Industries.
“This Tetrashield-based coating is designed for longevity,” said Mike Reed, president of US Coatings. “It provides long-term ultraviolet light protection and abrasion resistance for people getting up and down. It’s formulated to apply in one coat and directly to metal, which makes it less labor-intensive to apply.”
“We wanted the process to be as simple as putting on another coat of paint,” Rust said.
“Races at Bristol Motor Speedway are legendary, featuring some of the toughest icons in racing history. So it’s fitting that the bleachers at BMS are just as tough,” added Aaron Thornton, segment market manager for coatings and inks at Eastman. “These coatings need to look good for 10 to 15 years, so a product made with Tetrashield was the obvious choice when Bristol Motor Speedway needed tough paint that is easy to apply.”
