The NASCAR Cup Series runs on dirt for first time since 1970

NASCAR 2021: Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Entry list, odds, race information

Modified Mar 25, 2021 18:14 GMT

Bristol Motor Speedway. Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images.

It has been a long time since the NASCAR Cup Series raced on a dirt track. The last time was on Sept. 30, 1970, at North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, North Carolina. But on Sunday, 39 drivers will try to master the red clay put down on Bristol Motor Speedway for a first of its kind event.

NASCAR says it is getting back to its roots, although the Camping World Truck Series raced at Eldora Speedway as late as 2019. The success or failure of the Food City Dirt Race will determine if dirt racing will become a staple on the Premier Series schedule, or it will be another half-century if we see another again.

Want to take a walk on the dirty side? You can do this Saturday morning.Not to mention you'll be helping @BMS_SCCSign up: https://t.co/WTnP8NpIVD #ItsDirtBaby #ItsBristolBaby #KidsWin pic.twitter.com/ws7Q56omup
— BristolMotorSpeedway (@BMSupdates) March 24, 2021

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When NASCAR returns to Bristol on Sept. 18 for the final race in the Playoff Round of 16, the track will be back to its normal concrete surface. The 20,000 cubic yards of dirt is temporary. It will be used for two weeks by various racing bodies. The only other track that would be NASCAR ready for a dirt race in the immediate future would be Eldora. Otherwise, any future event would also have to be temporary.

Other than the track surface, there is a significant change. The NASCAR Food City Dirt Race will be 250 laps instead of its usual 500.

There have been 501 dirt Cup races in NASCAR's history, and Lee Petty is the all-time leader in victories with 43. Buck Baker is second with 42.

Lucky Seven?

The NASCAR Cup Series has started the year with six different drivers capturing the checkered flag in six events. Last week at Atlanta, Ryan Blaney ran down a dominant Kyle Larson in the closing laps to keep him from being the first to win twice. This marked the eighth time a season has opened with no repeat winners. Should Bristol produce a seventh first-timer, it will be just the fifth time in NASCAR’s modern era (1972-present) that it has happened (1991, 2000, 2003, 2014).

Here is a look at the NASCAR Food City Dirt Race.

RACE: Number 7 of 36

WHAT: Food City Dirt Race

WHERE: Bristol Motor Speedway

WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 28 @ 3:30 p.m.

TV/RADIO: FOX / PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

TRACK SIZE: 0.533-mile dirt oval

FRONTSTRETCH / BACKSTRETCH: 650-feet

RACE LENGTH: 125 miles (250 laps)

STAGES: 75 / 150 / 250

WEATHER: Showers and thunderstorms. High 63F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.

ODDS (From VegasInsider):

5/2 Kyle Larson

11/2 Christopher Bell

9/1 Chase Briscoe, Austin Dillon

We get the “dirt” from the King of NASCAR and our CEO! 🏁 @tide @RPMotorsports @Erik_Jones @ProcterGamble @BMSupdates #ItsDirtBaby #ItsBristolBaby #FoodCityDirtRace #NASCAR #racing pic.twitter.com/StGKkwhvjx
— Food City (@FoodCity) March 24, 2021