Yall… I went glamping!

Recently I was invited to go glamping (glamorous camping) with M&M’S^® in Bristol, TN and attend my very first NASCAR Race. I know you’re wondering, how in the world are these 2 things connected, but let me explain.

So M&M’S^® is a sponsor for Kyle Busche, one of the top NASCAR drivers, and they offered a really fun experience for racing fans who were attending the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. For many people that come to Bristol, camping is the way to go, so it’s a win/win experience if you’re a fan of Kyle and M&Ms.

I (along with a few other media outlets) was invited out to experience the M&M’S^® Glampground while attending the races that weekend. Full disclosure: when I received the invitation, I noted that NASCAR was apart of the experience, but I was so excited to go glamping that I didn’t fully read everything and realize just how cool this was going to be lol. I assumed that we might get to see a few cars (my best friend and sometimes assistant Candace was able to go with me), but once we arrived to the M&M’S^® Glampground I was completely blown away when I realized that this was for an actual NASCAR race!

Ok so first things first: the M&M’S^® Glampgrounds is a reeeeally cool concept. You stay in a 12×14 glamorous camping tent (choice of one queen bed or two singles), and they have luxury bathrooms with private showers (all in separate trailers/for men and women) in addition to providing meals, snacks, entertainment, and other amenities during your stay. There’s WiFi and charging stations available, so everything you need is covered while you’re there. People have parked RVs and camped for the races forever, but this was the first time that M&M’S^® offered the experience at Bristol.

skirt | tee  | sandal

When we arrived to Bristol Friday afternoon, we dropped off our bags (we were greeted with cute robes, blankets and M&M’S^®goodies in our tent), freshened up, and then went on a tour of the BMS grounds.

This was our first time going to a NASCAR race so we really weren’t sure what to expect. The culture is very similar to football (you’re basically tailgating and hanging out in your specific area/camp ground before the races) with a touch of the fair (there are merch, food and drink vendors everywhere). BMS is a big track (it’s half a mile around), so while you can walk, you’re on grounds that were carves out of a mountain so you can get around so much quicker and easier on a golf cart.

Friday wasn’t filled with a lot of activity for us (outside of a race that evening) so we were able to hang out and meet people that were staying there as well. I’m a true introvert at heart but Candace can literally talk to a wall, so every time I turned around she had met someone new for us to talk to haha. We met some really nice people that travel to NASCAR races regularly; one lady we met is a huge fan of Kyle Busche + also collects M&M’S^® memorabilia, so her and her husband brought a few things for him to sign during his a meet and greet on the M&M’S^® Glampground. While her husband gave us some tips to help us follow the races, she showed us pictures from her collection back home and it was so cool!

There were yummy M&M’S^® treats everywhere.

That evening we went over to watch the race and we had access to Pit Row but we really didn’t know what was going on/what we were doing, lol. We walked around for a while and watched some of the race but we were so exhausted from traveling and the sun (it was hot but thankfully not humid), so we went back to our tent around 9/930pm. Outside of a cricket that made it’s way in, there were no bugs, it cooled off (low 60s) and once I put on my eye mask and put in my earplugs, I was out like a light!

The next morning was a lot busier. We showered (thank God for hot water!), had breakfast and then went on another tour of the grounds with Lacey (one of the bloggers I met last year during MFW) and her husband as well. We were the only fashion bloggers there! Afterwards, there were meet and greets with Kyle, his wife Samantha (who was so sweet!), his Spotter Tony Hirschman (he helps guide him on the tracks during the race) and others, and we also went for a ride on the track in one on the pacer cars!

Now….there is a video that I am debating on posting because I am literally screaming for Jesus throughout the entire ride lmao. It’s video of the track because I wanted to show things from the perspective of riding in the car, but you can’t really tell how fast we are going. My meltdown is hilarious; our driver Brandon cracked up at me the entire time. Candace enjoyed it and even went on another ride in one of the trucks but one ride was enough for me!

After that we had a break before the race, which was good because I got a touch of sun poising. I was drinking water nonstop and wore sunscreen, but I just wasn’t used to being directly in the sun like that for such an extended period of time. I rested for a bit in a camper that had AC (while Candace made even more friends, lol) and hydrated a little more and I was good to go after an hour. We had dinner, chatted with this lady about her cool nails and then headed over for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race.

Learning about how the engines are constructed.

We went down to Pit Row again, but this time, they had arranged for us to hang out with Kyle’s Pit Crew for a bit. We were able to watch them do a pitch change (they changed a tire in like 2 seconds!) and we even got to sit with Samantha and some of the tech crew in their private Pit Box; Samantha was so sweet-when we got up there and said hello she actually took a picture of us and then we chatted for a bit. After hanging out in the Pit for the first half, we then went back to our seats to enjoy the rest of the race in the stands. Kyle didn’t win, but the race was intense and fun so I really enjoyed it!

Kris + Jon were the coolest!

Lacey and her hubby Luke!

I was obsessed with her hair.

We left Sunday morning, and I have to say, this was one of the coolest experiences that I have ever had. I am not a huge sports fan, but this was a way for me to step a bit out of my comfort zone while also sharing a different side of NASCAR with you guys while I was there. I really loved how friendly everyone was. I was NOT dressed for NASCAR so I was prepared to get a few looks ( I mean, I wore a snake print cami dress the second day haha) but nobody really batted an eye. Everyone was there to enjoy the races, so if you had questions about anything, they were open and willing to explain. Our accommodations far exceeded my expectations (seriously, whoever designed their bathrooms and shower trailers need to supply every camping and sporting event with them), and I can now scratch glamping off my bucket list!

Me and my bestie!

If you follow me on IG, there’s a highlight sharing more of my fun from the weekend. Click here to learn more about the Glampgrounds but be warned: tickets sell out quickly so if the opportunity comes for you to nab a spot, don’t wait!

I’m so thankful for being invited to be a part of this experience!

Have you ever been to a NASCAR race or glamping?

glamping lifestyle M&Ms NASCAR sponsored travel