It was a controversial move. After hosting three dirt races in the NASCAR Cup Series, Bristol Motor Speedway finally switched back to a concrete track in 2024. ‘The Last Great Colosseum’ has always been one of the most iconic venues in the stock car racing world, one which many present-day drivers have grown up watching over the years. However, the decision highlighted the underlying issues with competing on dirt, as the Next-Gen cars struggled to grip the surface.
However, not all drivers are satisfied with the calendar being dominated by races on concrete. Believing that dirt racing still has a place in the NASCAR world, part-time Xfinity Series racer Ryan Vargas shared his thoughts on social media, which divided the fanbase.
Did NASCAR’s dirt track experiment fail?
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As with any surface, dirt tracks have their own set of pros and cons. Josh Berry, who replaced an injured Chase Elliott during the 2023 race at Bristol Motor Speedway’s dirt track, enjoyed the experience, while Chris Buescher called it an “absolute blast”. However, for a venue known for its action and drama, it lacked some of the fireworks that the concrete surface has consistently delivered for decades. It had its moments though, like when Kyle Busch won the race in 2022 after Reddick and Briscoe made contact and spun.
Wanting to see more of the same on dirt tracks, NASCAR driver Ryan Vargas wrote on X, “random Sunday tangent. I sincerely hope NASCAR brings dirt racing back in some capacity. Not at Bristol, but maybe find a track that has *most* of the facilities needed and spruce it up a bit. It’s so fun watching guys search for grip in cars that simply aren’t made for this.” With the Bristol Dirt Race not returning to the calendar in 2024, it’s not hard to see why Vargas hopes that races return to dirt in the foreseeable future.
Perhaps Bristol was too iconic a venue for such an experiment. Making his preference known, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. said, “We’ve had — I think — two (top-five finishes) at the three dirt races we’ve had there, but for me, I’ve always just loved the concrete Bristol.”
If the sanctioning body were to return on dirt tracks, should they continue hosting a one-off event, or ensure it’s given greater importance with several races being held on the surface? Just like road courses have become a format here to stay, NASCAR could prioritize dirt racing across the three national series to gain wider acceptance. As things stand, the stock car racing community remains divided about including dirt racing, with many sharing their thoughts after Vargas’ tweet on X.
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Ryan Vargas gets sparse support from fans
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As expected, it didn’t take long for NASCAR fans to share their thoughts after Ryan Vargas suggested the inclusion of dirt racing in the future. With the last few dirt races being held at Bristol, a fan suggested an alternate venue which might prove to be a viable option. The fan wrote on X, “If…IF it comes back, make it an actual dirt track like Eldora. Don’t just throw dirt onto a pavement track again.” Another motorsports enthusiast suggested that the Next-Gen cars should be kept from the surface, presumably because of the lack of grip and less entertaining races. The fan wrote, “truck series at charlotte dirt track please but please keep the cup cars away.”
However, others weren’t open to the idea, believing that the experiment didn’t succeed despite NASCAR giving its best shot at Bristol Motor Speedway. An X user didn’t hold back while writing, “was a neat concept…. let’s not bring it back.” Echoing that sentiment, another fan went on to say that races on dirt lacked the action and drama, which is often present at Bristol Motor Speedway. Remembering the unparalleled excitement on the iconic short track, a fan wrote on X, “I’m probably one of the few that hated this. I found it boring, it was better watching tires blow out after 30 laps.”
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Believing that NASCAR is better off competing on concrete, another fan straight up disagreed with Vargas’ view and said, “Hear me out here: No.” Even though the sanctioning body’s Bristol dirt race experiment did not give them the results they wanted, could the outcome be different at an alternate venue? Perhaps. Do you think NASCAR should continue competing on dirt tracks in the foreseeable future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!