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NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Food City Dirt Race Apr 9, 2023 Bristol, Tennessee, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Jonathan Davenport 13 goes to the garage area at the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Course. Bristol Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Course Tennessee USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRandyxSartinx 20230409_lbm_bs1_031
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NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Food City Dirt Race Apr 9, 2023 Bristol, Tennessee, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Jonathan Davenport 13 goes to the garage area at the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Course. Bristol Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Course Tennessee USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRandyxSartinx 20230409_lbm_bs1_031
Dirt racing sure is a thrilling spectacle, but piling dirt on a track that’s not originally designed for it? That’s a whole different ballgame. The Bristol dirt race proved just that. Last weekend, numerous drivers voiced their concerns, emphasizing that NASCAR stock cars simply weren’t built for dirt racing.
Previously, even Kyle Larson from Hendrick Motorsports chimed in, asserting that the Cup cars were out of place on Bristol’s dirt surface. Throwing a curveball into the mix, dirt racing’s “Superman” shared his two cents on the NASCAR dirt racing debate following his Cup Series debut.
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NASCAR vehicles, meticulously crafted for high-speed racing on paved oval tracks, face a unique set of challenges on dirt surfaces. The cars’ precisely tuned aerodynamics and suspension systems struggle with the unpredictable terrain of dirt tracks, leading to traction and stability issues that can slow them down and compromise driver control.
Addressing this, dirt racing legend, Jonathan Davenport, told the media, “I don’t know about this type of dirt racing you know… I classify this more as a show than a race really. I mean, these cars, ain’t built to race on dirt.”
Further adding, “So, I don’t know. I mean, it’s cool. It’s different. It’s a novelty, but um, you know, this ain’t really true dirt race but it’s just something different.”
How was Davenport’s NASCAR Cup Series Debut at Bristol?
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Davenport would have wanted to have run the complete duration of his debut in the Cup Series. However, things did not go as planned for him. Despite the problems, he seemed to have enjoyed his time racing with the Next-Gen cars.
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BRISTOL, TN – APRIL 09: NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series driver Jonathan Davenport 13 spins during the Food City Dirt Race on April 9, 2023, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photo by Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 09 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City Dirt Race Icon2304090010051
Over the years, Davenport has earned massive success throughout his career, making him a prominent figure in the world of dirt late-model racing. But the race at Bristol was something of a unique challenge for him.
Davenport took the wheel for Kaulig Racing during the event. However, his race was cut short after being collected by Kyle Larson and Ryan Preece. With significant damage to his vehicle, Davenport’s debut came to an abrupt halt well before the finish line.
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Considering the worries expressed by racers, including Davenport himself, it’s crucial for NASCAR to closely examine dirt racing’s role in the Cup Series. While the undeniable thrill of dirt racing is there, it’s likely better to reserve it for vehicles purpose-built for such tracks. This approach will ensure NASCAR keeps the pedal to the metal, delivering the adrenaline-pumping action fans have come to love.
