NASCAR
Stratta’s Six: Who Could Win Year Two of Bristol Dirt?
Sunday night marks the second-ever Food City Dirt Race from Bristol, Tennessee. With the World’s Fastest Half-Mile now being a dirt track, which driver can take home the Easter Sunday win? Last year saw dirt novice Joey Logano capture the sword trophy; who can earn the all-important win in year two? Let’s look at some favorites heading into Bristol Dirt.
Chase Elliott
Still the points leader despite no wins, Chase Elliott could contend at Bristol Dirt. The lone Hendrick driver to not win so far in 2022, Elliott had his best showing yet in Martinsville. From the pole, the 9 led the first 185 laps uncontested, picking up two Stage wins. An alternate pit strategy put Elliott back, where he eventually finished 10th. After such a promising run came up short at Martinsville, Elliott enters Bristol hungry for another breakout performance. The 9 also placed 10th at Bristol Dirt last year, and may be a few spots better this time around.
“Last year, I think we got pretty fortunate to run where we did,” Elliott said. “We had a lot going on there at the end of the race and were kind of hanging on. This year, I think is just going to be a completely different ball game with this car. Being able to adapt quickly is going to be the key, because I think this year is going to be different than last. Whoever hits on that quickly and figures out what it’s going to take to be fast is likely going to be rewarded for it.”
Elliott’s consistency so far this year should pay off soon with a victory or two. Hendrick Motorsports has gone 4-for-8 in 2022 races won, with only Elliott not visiting victory lane. The 9’s losing streak could end this weekend. Elliott will also compete in Saturday’s Truck race, driving the No. 7 for Spire.
Joey Logano
Last year’s Food City Dirt Race winner, Joey Logano will have added track time benefitting him this year. Logano is entered in Saturday’s Truck race, driving the No. 54 Ford for David Gilliland Racing. With twice as much time to learn the dirt surface, Logano has positioned himself as a possible frontrunner for Sunday night. Much like with William Byron last weekend, Logano could very easily sweep both the Truck and Cup Series races. Already a three-time Bristol winner, Logano may only add to his resume this weekend.
Kyle Larson
Perhaps the favorite heading into Bristol is renowned dirt standout Kyle Larson. Larson was also pegged as the prerace favorite a year ago, only to crash out early after tangling with Bell. A year removed now, Larson already has some Bristol Dirt track time in his memory bank. Driver 5 ran a dirt car recently at Bristol, which gives him added confidence heading into this weekend.
“I think running the dirt late model at Bristol a few weeks ago just helps me get eyes on the track to see what’s different,” Larson said. “It’s a temporary track and it’s never going to be exactly the same as it was the year before. Getting to run some laps to see how the dirt transitioned throughout the night was helpful and hopefully it pays off this weekend.”
Aside from the California win, 2022 has not exactly gone in Kyle Larson’s favor so far. The 5 only has two other top-fives through eight races, coming off a dismal 19th-place effort at Martinsville. Larson may be the most energized driver in the field to race on dirt again though, so he could walk away with another Bristol win.
Christopher Bell
Another stout dirt racing ace, can Christopher Bell continue his hot-streak at Bristol? Driver 20 wrecked early out of this race a year ago after being labeled as a favorite. Now in year two, no expectations have changed for the three-time Chili Bowl Nationals winner. After being JGR’s lone performer in Martinsville, Bell hopes to keep the momentum alive on the dirt.
“The Bristol dirt race is a one-of-a-kind event,” Bell said. “I’m excited to see how night time changes the race, and I hope to put on a great show.”
Bell was involved in the early crash last year with Kyle Larson that took both out of contention. After that very-costly mistake, Bell hopes to have another chance for the Bristol Dirt win. Being one of few bright spots for JGR in recent weeks, the 20 could easily end Sunday as a winner.
Chase Briscoe
After earning his first career win a few weeks ago in Phoenix, Chase Briscoe could pick up win number two at Bristol Dirt. Another driver with a wealth of dirt experience, Briscoe could put Stewart-Haas into Bristol Dirt victory lane. The Indiana driver does have a previous NASCAR dirt win, in the Eldora Truck race from 2018. Briscoe’s near-weekly speed and consistency may just pay off with another win, this time at The Last Great Colosseum.
“I don’t really know what to expect,” Briscoe said. “I’ve never driven a car that has this type of suspension on dirt. So how it drives on dirt and what you feel is probably totally different than what I’ve experienced. The other big component is the tires. The sidewall is so much shorter and stiffer than what we had before, from a side-bite and lateral grip standpoint. It’ll be totally different how the car reacts and the grip level that you have compared to anything I’ve raced. But we’ve got a couple of practices and heat races to figure it out.”
Briscoe finished 20th at the Bristol Dirt race last year, and can only have more confidence entering race two here. If any SHR Mustang is to take home the gladiator’s sword, it may just be the 14.
Ryan Blaney
At a super-consistent second in points, Ryan Blaney has seemingly done everything but win so far in 2022. The Penske 12 Mustang has led in each race this season, with five top-10s and a best result of fourth. Blaney, son of a dirt racing legend, placed eighth at the Bristol Dirt race last year. Keep an eye out for the 12 to better that result, and perhaps end Easter Sunday in victory lane.
Coverage of the Food City Dirt Race kicks off at 6:00 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN, and SirusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. RaceDay will feature a special Easter Sunday worship service prior to the green flag, featuring many NASCAR stars. Now a night race, nobody truly knows just what we will see in year two of Bristol Dirt. Be sure to not miss a lap of action Sunday night.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR
