NASCAR Tests Wet Weather Tires at Bristol Motor Speedway With Brad Keselowski and More for a Contingency Plan

Feb 10, 2024 | 9:36 AM EST

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Just months after NASCAR’s short track package testing at Phoenix, the organization is back again at Bristol Motor Speedway to test its new rubber. Six drivers from each manufacturer were given the opportunity to try out the new aero package to be featured this year, heeding the industry’s demand for an update on the racing at short ovals.

The 0.5-mile speedway which washed off its dirt, reverting back to the concrete from this season, recently saw a rigorous testing phase, primarily focused on Goodyear’s wet weather capabilities. The aim was to get more feedback from the drivers. Along with this, there’s a lot of smoke coming from the fan-favorite track as it dons the old retro stripes which were painted by Brad Keselowski, Zane Smith, and Erik Jones as the trio tested out the new rubber from Goodyear.

Brad Keselowski and fellow drivers give the track a retro look

From racing on a concrete surface to a retro paint scheme, the upcoming March 17 Food City 500 at BMS will feature a retro theme. NASCAR Cup Series champion and RFK Racing co-owner, Keselowski who has always been an admirer of retro styling has been called upon to the occasion to paint the track walls with the retro red-white scheme.

While the primary emphasis will be on the track returning to its old layout, washing the dirt off and the drivers getting back to racing on concrete, the track walls will now have the iconic red-white stripes which will see return after being last seen in 1995. The Cup Series veteran, the Cup Series rookie Zane Smith and Legacy Motor Club driver, Erik Jones were at BMS on Thursday for a closed test among three manufacturers.

The testing session included the use of rain tires and a photo shoot where each driver painted their initials on the front stretch wall with brush strokes.

The red-and-white stripe walls are coming back to Bristol for the first time since the 1995 night race.
Brad @Keselowski, @Erik_Jones and @ZaneSmith helped apply the first coat of white paint today.
In 1995, Terry Labonte won then wrecked after Earnhardt bumped him. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/GJwPMjuiY7
— Jonathan Fjeld (@Jonathan_Fjeld) February 8, 2024

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The first iteration of this season’s bonanza at “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” will go back to concrete next month after three full seasons of dirt exploration.

“What’s old is now new again” – Keselowski shares his thoughts as Bristol returns to concrete with a new “retro” look

According to heraldcourier.com, “Bristol is always changing things up and keeping it fresh. What’s old is now new again, and that’s cool,” said the 39-year-old Keselowski who is delighted to race at the half-a-mile track. Keselowski is a 6-time race winner, acing the track three times in the Cup Series, once in Xfinity and Truck Series each.

His fellow drivers, Zane Smith and Erik Jones, also chimed in with their takes. Taking on his rookie season is Spire Motorsports’ new driver, Zane Smith, who said, “I’m happy the track is back to concrete instead of dirt. This place is like no other. It brings a different vibe and different atmosphere.”

“Coming back on the concrete in the spring is gonna be fun, it’s cool to have two races again at Bristol because I think it’s one of our best short tracks. I’m just happy that we are back on concrete for both of them,” said LMC driver, Jones.

BMS will be joining Darlington and NWB as the only tracks on the schedule with the red and white stripe track walls. The Bristol track walls will return to their more conventional shade for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race weekend in September.