Should NASCAR bring dirt track racing back to its schedule?

In recent years, NASCAR has constantly sought ways to innovate to attract more fans and add excitement to its events. A decade ago, we could hardly imagine the series racing in places like Mexico City, on street circuits like Chicago's, or even at a naval base, as scheduled for 2026. Among these attempts, the return to its roots with a dirt race was one of the most striking.

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NASCAR's historic dirt racing roots

NASCAR's connection with dirt racing dates back to the series' origins. From its founding in 1948 until the early 1970s, NASCAR regularly raced on dirt surfaces. The last Cup Series dirt race before the modern era took place in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1970.

For over 40 years, the schedule consisted exclusively of paved tracks, until NASCAR decided to experiment again with this surface.

Reintroducing dirt in the modern era

The Truck Series initiated the return to dirt in 2013 with the Eldora Dirt Derby at Tony Stewart's Ohio track. Austin Dillon won that first edition, marking NASCAR's official return to dirt racing after more than four decades.

Eldora remained on the Truck Series schedule until 2019, when Stewart Friesen took the final victory at that track. The race was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic and subsequently removed from the schedule.

In 2021, the Truck Series expanded its dirt program by incorporating Knoxville Raceway, the renowned Iowa track known for hosting sprint car Nationals. Austin Hill won the first edition, followed by Todd Gilliland in 2022.

Meanwhile, Cup Series joined the experiment in 2021 when Bristol Motor Speedway was temporarily converted to a dirt surface. Joey Logano won that controversial first edition, followed by Kyle Busch in 2022 and Christopher Bell in 2023.

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Bristol Dirt: The most ambitious experiment

Bristol Motor Speedway was NASCAR's most ambitious attempt to incorporate dirt racing into Cup Series. Between 2021 and 2023, the Tennessee track was temporarily converted to dirt, requiring 23,000 cubic yards of compacted dirt.

The format differed completely from traditional races. All 36 cars participated in qualifying heat races to determine starting positions, based on a points system that considered finishing position and passes made.

The 2021 edition was held during the day, causing visibility issues from sun glare on the dirt. NASCAR moved the 2022 and 2023 editions to nighttime, but reception remained mixed.

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Current situation

For 2024, both Bristol Dirt and Truck Series dirt races disappeared from the schedules, leaving NASCAR again without dirt racing. The decision to remove dirt races from all national series schedules for 2024 and 2025 closed an experimental chapter that lasted a decade.

NASCAR has shown no official interest in bringing back dirt racing to its future schedule. There are no clear signs this format will return soon. The decision reignited debate about whether the series should maintain this format that directly connects with its historic roots.

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Voices calling for its return

Chase Briscoe has become one of the most persistent voices calling for dirt racing's return. He used his recent visit to Knoxville Raceway to renew his request to NASCAR executives.

"I feel like even in Cup Series we need to have a dirt race," Briscoe stated during his Iowa appearance. "Every time there's been a NASCAR dirt race, I always try to make the effort to go race it."

Briscoe's opinion carries special weight in the garage due to his deep ties with this discipline. At 13, he became the youngest driver to win a 410 Sprint Car race. He actively participated in the Truck Series' Eldora Dirt Derby and also raced at Knoxville when NASCAR added this track to the Truck Series schedule.

"I remember coming here and racing the trucks race a couple years ago," Briscoe recalled. "Obviously, I always raced the Eldora races too."

Briscoe evaluated the Bristol experience with nuance: "The first one obviously wasn't very good, but anyone who knows dirt racing knows we probably didn't need a race in the middle of the day. But I thought the last two were really, really good."

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Format and car count issues

The real problems were with format and logistics. One specific issue was car count. In traditional dirt racing, fewer cars are common to preserve quality and safety. NASCAR Cup ran with 36 cars at Bristol, creating unusual congestion that often made the competition more about surviving incidents than clean racing for position.

The Truck Series implemented different formats at Eldora and Knoxville, limiting the field to 32 entrants. Drivers who didn't qualify through heat races had one last chance in the Last Chance Qualifier, where only the top 2-3 finishers gained access to the main race.

Track selection also sparked debate. Converting Bristol required weeks of preparation and considerable costs, while genuinely designed dirt tracks like Eldora or Knoxville already had the necessary infrastructure and established fan base.

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The debate continues

The 2013-2023 experience remains an experimental stage driven by entertainment goals rather than a sustained intention to permanently reintegrate them. NASCAR has shown no official interest in reintroducing dirt racing and there are no clear signs this format will return.

Briscoe continues using his platform to advocate for more surface diversity, reiterating his support in appearances like the "Rubbin is Racing" podcast. However, he acknowledges the final decision rests with series executives, who so far haven't responded to these requests.

For now, dirt racing remains a closed chapter in NASCAR, despite voices calling for its return.

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