Bristol boss Jeff Byrd undergoing medical treatment

Jeff Byrd, one of the mainstay promoters in Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports empire, as head of Bristol Motor Speedway for 15 years now, will miss Sunday's Food City 500, a first for the ex-R.J.Reynolds sports marketing man since taking the reins here.

Byrd, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed medical matter, says the specific issue has been diagnosed and doctors began treatment last week.

"Things are going well," Byrd said in a statement just released by the track. "It is going to be very difficult for me not to be at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend to be with more than 150,000 of my closest friends. But I will be there in spirit, and as I have said before, I expect to see everyone in August."

That would be Bristol's annual night Cup event.

"Claudia (his wife)), the rest of the family and I have been overwhelmed by everyone's thoughts and prayers," Byrd added. "I hope they keep it up…and appreciate so many people coming to Bristol this weekend." MikeMulhern.net