NASCAR’s journey from dirt track origins to a leading stock car racing organization has left dirt racing behind, with the last Cup Series dirt event held at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2023. Chase Briscoe is now calling for NASCAR to reintroduce dirt racing to the premier series schedule to reconnect with its heritage and diversify race formats.
Briscoe Advocates for Adding Dirt Tracks to the NASCAR Schedule
On the Rubbin Is Racing podcast, Chase Briscoe expressed a strong preference for significant changes to NASCAR’s race calendar. He proposed removing Sonoma and New Hampshire from the schedule, suggesting the pre-repaved Iowa Speedway as a replacement. When asked specifically about dirt racing’s place in NASCAR, Briscoe was clear:
“Definitely! I definitely think we need a dirt track.”
He further explained the logic behind this view, highlighting the variety of race disciplines NASCAR already includes.
“We run on every discipline. We have superspeedway, short track, intermediate, road course, and growing up, you’re either a road course guy, a short track racer, or a dirt racer. So, there’s no reason for me why we don’t have at least one dirt race.”
The Connection Between NASCAR Drivers and Dirt Racing
Briscoe, who competes for Joe Gibbs Racing, noted that many NASCAR drivers have roots in dirt track racing and that fans consistently enjoy these events. He emphasized the crossover appeal between NASCAR and sprint car racing communities, pointing out that
“The people that are going to sprint car races are typically watching NASCAR on Sunday, and now we have a lot of NASCAR guys going back and running sprint cars. So, I definitely would love to have a dirt race.”
While acknowledging that adding multiple dirt races might be too ambitious at this stage, Briscoe believes even one dirt event per season would refresh the NASCAR calendar and provide new challenges for drivers and teams alike.
Perspectives on the Bristol Dirt Race and Potential Venues
Reflecting on the Bristol Dirt races held in recent years, Briscoe provided a balanced perspective. He admitted the first Bristol Dirt event had its flaws but overall regarded the concept positively.
“I thought Bristol Dirt was great. Truthfully, from the last two years, the first year definitely was not, but I do think that if we did it, it would be nice to go to an actual dirt track. But I wouldn’t be against Bristol dirt either if that was our only option.”
He also addressed the logistical challenges involved in hosting a dirt Cup Series race, noting the scarcity of suitable dirt track venues across the country. As an ideal location, Briscoe suggested Eldora Speedway, a historic dirt track with a storied past in NASCAR and sprint car racing.
The Broader Impact of Reintroducing Dirt Racing in NASCAR
Briscoe’s call for a return to dirt racing aligns with a growing number of drivers seeking to re-embrace NASCAR’s foundational roots while preserving the diversity of race types that characterize the sport today. Adding a dirt race could engage fans across different racing backgrounds and highlight driver skill sets that extend beyond asphalt circuits.
With NASCAR evolving constantly, the reintroduction of dirt racing holds the potential to refresh the schedule and deepen fan excitement, especially considering the strong cultural ties between dirt track racing and many current competitors in the Cup Series.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Chase Briscoe be in 2025?
A. Joe Gibbs Racing revealed on Friday that Bass Pro Shops will support Briscoe and the No. 19 team for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. Briscoe will take over for Martin Truex Jr.
Q. Where will Chase Briscoe go in 2025?
A. Chase Briscoe managed his fuel well to earn his first NASCAR Cup Series victory of 2025 at Pocono. On Sunday, he joined the ranks of NASCAR Cup Series winners for Joe Gibbs Racing by winning The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway.
