NASCAR entered Bristol Dirt almost two weeks ago ready to go as it represented the third weekend of the event that has caused major controversy. The first race was a mess as rain and track preparation ruined the event while the second race was run on Easter Night.
The narratives surrounding Bristol Dirt continued to swirl as Kyle Larson said NASCAR should not be racing on dirt at all while Bubba Wallace said it was a “gimmick.” Meanwhile, the sport put on a show and it ended up being a good race that acted like a true dirt track for the first time.
Despite the success of the NASCAR Cup Series race, the future of Bristol Dirt is still up in the air as drivers clamor for another concrete date. Well, the racing series might be listening to them if the latest report from a notable NASCAR insider remains true.
Related: NASCAR discusses possibility of adding horsepower in the Cup Series beyond 2023
NASCAR insider says it would be ‘very surprising’ if the sport races at Bristol Dirt in 2024
Christopher Bell took the checkered flag under yellow as Tyler Reddick prepared to make a last-ditch effort in the final corners of the event. Unfortunately, no one will ever know what would have happened as Ross Chastain sat idle on the track with the leaders approaching.
NASCAR came a long way from the first event held during the 2021 season. The weather was bad and the track preparation created a dust bowl that forced the sport to implement single-file restarts.
The track didn’t even race like a dirt track until NASCAR moved it to the nighttime for the second run on Easter Night. The race was way better but still didn’t reach the ideal standards until the third running of the event two weeks ago.
Now, the image of Bell and Reddick readying for a classic finish with Chastain sitting on the track might be the final picture we ever see at Bristol Dirt. The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi hopped on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and discussed the future of the dirt race beyond 2023.
“If you’re asking me that question today, I don’t think NASCAR is racing on dirt at Bristol next year. I think they’re gonna go back to the (concrete track). Plans can change obviously and everything is fluid, but I just think the way things are at now, I would be very surprised if NASCAR is racing on dirt at Bristol.”
Jordan Bianchi on the future of Bristol Dirt
It would not be surprising to see Bristol Dirt wiped off the schedule moving forward. The drivers clearly prefer the concrete track and it doesn’t seem to be the case of Bristol Dirt or the track loses a date.
There should be no scenario where Bristol Motor Speedway loses a date. The attendance was not great on that Sunday night so why should the dirt race have the luxury of getting away with it while the concrete track did not?
NASCAR should make the decision to move away from Bristol Dirt. It would be fine to have a NASCAR Cup Series race on a dirt track but not at the expense of Bristol Motor Speedway. The third running of the event proved a dirt track in the Cup Series is possible.
There will be plenty of debate and we won’t know for a while if Bristol Dirt returns or not. As of now, it feels like time might be running out for NASCAR’s homemade dirt track as the sport looks to make bold moves with the schedule.