Bubba Wallace has made three NASCAR Cup Series starts at Bristol Dirt like many other drivers and until Sunday night, the venue has not been kind to him. On Saturday, Wallace and many others spoke about the future of the Cup Series on dirt tracks.
What did Wallace say about this when many other drivers share the same opinion?
Bubba Wallace gives bold take on NASCAR Cup Series racing on dirt tracks
Wallace won the NASCAR Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway in 2014 as it represented one of his four victories during the year. However, that doesn’t mean the 23XI Racing driver is necessarily a fan of track racing in NASCAR.
In the three NASCAR Cup Series races at Bristol Dirt, Wallace finished in 27th, 28th and 12th places. Granted, the Cup Series races at Bristol Dirt were all crazy and featured multiple cautions.
Wallace actually found himself in the top 5 on Sunday night until he got too high and lacked pace. It was a solid rebound after tough races at Circuit of the Americas and Richmond Raceway.
Despite his positive result, Wallace’s pre-race tone likely won’t change anytime soon. The driver of car #23 was asked in a Frontstretch video if the The Cup Series should run on dirt tracks and gave an interesting answer.
“I don’t think so. Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of fun on the dirt. I respect what the dirt guys do, but for our sport and the (NASCAR Cup Series) cars, not really. I think it’s just for me, a gimmick… There’s something about it. Again, don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate the dirt. I love watching dirt racing, I think these guys are absolute animals… Our cars on the dirt and the the way we race around each other on dirt No, it’s not a good formula. It can be fun and if it is, right?
Bubba Wallace on NASCAR Cup Series races on dirt tracks
That’s actually the exact same opinion that Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson shared over the weekend. Larson said NASCAR should return to two concrete races at Bristol Motor Speedway and that the Cup Series has no place on dirt tracks.
If one of the most talented dirt racing drivers of the current generation believes the Cup Series shouldn’t race on dirt tracks, maybe that’s a sign. It’s clear that other drivers, like Wallace, share the same opinion.
Are Larson and Wallace right? Should NASCAR move away from Bristol Dirt and dirt racing in general? Keep reading to find out these same questions below!
Related: 23XI Racing Responds to Bubba Wallace Comments About Needing to Be Replaced
Assessing NASCAR’s future on the tracks after Bubba Wallace and others criticize the idea
It’s difficult to base a complete opinion on a single driver’s comments, but Larson is arguably the only dirt rider who can give you pause. Honestly, Larson is at least right about Bristol Dirt beyond the 2023 season. Wallace also has similar prestige having won on a dirt track in NASCAR.
There is no need to race at Bristol Dirt. NASCAR would benefit from satisfying its drivers because they appreciate the concrete track more than the dirt track. Plus, the race isn’t held in the same stratosphere as Eldora Speedway.
The NASCAR Truck Series was held in Eldora for several years before the event came to an unfortunate end. It was definitely much better than Bristol Dirt as it offered better racing overall.
Bristol Dirt is not the same. Sure, the race can be fun at times, but it seemed like a disaster despite the excitement. The best idea would be to remove it from the calendar and return to two concrete tracks in the future.
But what about another dirt road? Could NASCAR ever return to Eldora? If so, this would be the ideal scenario since this is the best dirt racing ever seen in NASCAR since its introduction some time ago.
The Cup Series could work on dirt tracks, but it has to be the right one. Bristol Dirt is not good and the drivers are deprived of a circuit which is one of the favorites in all areas.
Sometimes the sport needs to listen to its drivers and Larson is probably the best to listen to on this subject. Maybe NASCAR can find a better dirt track, but Bristol Dirt isn’t the best situation.
MLB, NHL writer at Sportsnaut
