I feel compelled to comment although I don't really have anything to add. VT fans have wanted to start a rivalry with Tennessee for years (not sure if Vol's feel the same or not). the schools are close enough and in different BCS conferences, share fan bases and recruiting territories. Especially given new SOS criteria to make the playoffs, the match up makes sense.
This attendance record setting game is seen as a huge boon for recruiting ("son, come to Virginia Tech and over the next four years you'll play in the most attended game in football history, never mind at Ohio State, Notre Dame and ACC match-ups with FSU and Clemson"). It will likewise sell merchandise and stir up fan interest in a rural area where fans care as much about NASCAR, if not more, than football.
Yes, the view will be tough from the cheap seats, but I bet anyone down low will see fine -- Bristol has great "sight lines" and the grandstands are steep and close to the track.
I realize NASCAR is not popular in Colorado. I consider myself a NASCAR fan. I've attended 12 - 15 races (including Bristol) and watch most of the Cup races on DVR (although it's not usually "focused TV watching"). My racing interest is limited -- once football starts I'm not watching much. I moved to the Southeast from Wisconsin and didn't appreciate why anyone cared about watching cars drive in circles. I steadfastly maintained that attitude for years. Eventually though, it got me. I started watching a race on TV with a friend who was really into it. Before long I was at a race, and then I was hooked. I'm man enough to admit it, I cried when Dale Earnhardt died (although it later occurred to me that Dale probably wouldn't have given me the time of day if we had ever met).
Yes, I would expect beer to be served at the game. IIRC, at neutral site college games that weren't on college campuses and they served alcohol.
And yes, this is a one and done game. No series is currently planned.
I'd love to make it to the game, but part of me hopes that by the time 2016 gets here I'll be completely assimilated in the Coloardo lifestyle and lose some of that interest (and save the money).