Dirt Track Racing Resumes heading to Bristol Dirt #1

This weekend NASCAR will race at Bristol Dirt! It will mark the first time in over 50 YEARS since the series raced on this type of surface. “Bristol Dirt” should be viewed as a new track, and don’t fall for the trap thinking “Regular Bristol Success” is a plus, because its not. Below are “Dirt Track Racing Resumes” of drivers who’ll be racing at Bristol Dirt!

This is a series of posts that will come out over the course of the week. Also, more information will likely be added to this post in terms of how drivers are preparing or their past experience on dirt.

(Dirt Racing Resumes #1, Dirt  Racing Resumes #2, Dirt Racing Resumes #3, Dirt Racing Resumes #4)

Austin Dillon – Austin Dillon will have a lot of confidence at Bristol Dirt. Just last week he competed there and went 3 for 3 at reaching victory lane driving a 604 Late Model car. Dillon has also been successful at Eldora in the Truck Series. In 2013 when the Truck series made their debut on dirt he led 64 laps and raced his way to victory lane. In his other two starts he has results of 10th (2014) and 6th (2015). Here’s an Austin Dillon quote prior to racing a modified car at Bristol last week, “I raced at dirt tracks across the country during my early years in motorsports, so I’ve really been looking forward to the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway” (Source).

Stewart Friesen – Stewart Friesen is the top “Dirt Track Ringer” on my radar who’s being brought in to race at Bristol Dirt. Friesen is a Truck Series regular who’s currently 5th in points. Friesen will have one big advantage on much of the field at Bristol, he’ll be racing at Bristol Dirt on Saturday in the Truck Series. That will of course come along with practice sessions so he’ll have a lot of track time under his belt. At Eldora in the Truck Series, Friesen has been a fantasy ace and his last three results are 1st, 2nd and 3rd. In 2019 when the series most recently raced there, Friesen led 57 laps and raced his way to victory lane. In 2018 he finished 3rd and in 2017 he led 93 laps and finished 2nd. Friesen is a super standout in the world of dirt racing. He has over 900 career starts on dirt, and he’s won over 300 races. At Bristol Dirt, Friesen will be driving the #77 which is typically piloted by Justin Haley.

Chase Briscoe – Chase Briscoe hasn’t had a good rookie year, but Bristol Dirt could start to turn things around. At Eldora in the Truck Series he’s been very successful. He’s a former winner and over his three races his average finish is 3.6. In 2017 at Eldora, Briscoe finished 3rd. In 2018, Briscoe raced his way to victory lane and led 54 laps. In 2019, Briscoe finished 7th and led 93 laps. Briscoe has also competed in the Chili Bowl in the past.