All articles tagged with #dirt racing
The NTSB has ruled that dirt racing legend Scott Bloomquist's death in a plane crash was a suicide, following an investigation into the incident near his Tennessee home. Bloomquist, a highly celebrated racer with over 600 victories, had been battling health issues including injuries, cancer, and a recent horsefly bite before his death at age 60. His family has requested privacy as they mourn.
Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, both with dirt racing backgrounds, will compete for the NASCAR Cup championship at Phoenix Raceway, marking the first time two drivers with dirt racing backgrounds have competed for the title in the current playoff format. Both drivers began their NASCAR journey with Keith Kunz Motorsports, a renowned midget car racing team based in Indiana, through Toyota's development program. Larson's departure from the team prompted Toyota to reassess its development program and create a stepladder system. The success of Larson and Bell showcases the value of dirt racing in developing car control skills and opens doors for aspiring drivers.
The future of NASCAR's dirt racing experiment at Bristol Motor Speedway remains uncertain, with no decision yet made on whether the league will return to the track's dirt surface in 2024. While the racing on the track has been good, fan support has been middling and the novelty has worn off. Some drivers suggest that if NASCAR wants to continue with a dirt race, it should be held at a purposely built track better suited for this type of racing, such as Eldora Speedway in Ohio.
Dirt racing star Jonathan Davenport, nicknamed 'Superman', made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Bristol dirt race, driving a third Kaulig Racing car. Despite not finishing the race due to a collision, Davenport enjoyed the experience and would like to do it again. He praised the talent of the field for avoiding him when he spun out on lap 81. Davenport acknowledged the race was different from what he's used to in dirt racing, but he found it cool and a novelty.
Racing the Next Gen car at Bristol requires significant modifications, including using a throttle-body air filter, placing grates over the radiator air inlet openings, and replacing the underwing with a "dirt event debris shield." Visibility remains a challenge, but laminated polycarbonate windows will stay in place for safety reasons. Kyle Larson will start on the pole for Sunday's Cup race on the dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway.