Chase Briscoe supports NASCAR dirt track return as he calls for a revival of the sport’s historic roots, underscoring a growing desire among drivers to restore dirt racing to the Cup Series schedule. Briscoe’s recent remarks draw attention to NASCAR’s evolution away from dirt events and highlight the ongoing debate about broadening the racing calendar’s diversity.
Drivers and Fans Push for Dirt Racing’s Comeback
NASCAR has grown from its early days on dirt courses into an international powerhouse of stock car racing, but the sport has cut its last official ties to dirt with the conclusion of the 2023 Bristol Motor Speedway race. While that event received a range of opinions and was ultimately dropped from future plans, momentum is building among drivers, with Briscoe emerging as a prominent advocate for bringing back at least one dirt race to the Cup Series.
Chase Briscoe Outlines His Vision for the Schedule
Speaking recently on the Rubbin Is Racing podcast, Briscoe discussed possible schedule changes. He said that, given the opportunity to reshape the calendar, he would remove certain tracks such as Sonoma and New Hampshire, suggesting their replacement with older layouts like the pre-repaved Iowa Speedway. The conversation then turned directly to dirt racing’s place in NASCAR.
When host Spider broached the topic, Briscoe responded without hesitation,
“Definitely! I definitely think we need a dirt track.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
Backing up his statement, Briscoe provided further insight:
“We run on every discipline. We have superspeedway, short track, intermediate, road course, and growing up, you’re either a road course guy, a short track racer, or a dirt racer. So, there’s no reason for me why we don’t have at least one dirt race.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
Briscoe observed that many Cup Series drivers, himself included, have backgrounds in dirt track racing, and emphasized the strong fan demand for dirt events. He clarified the loop between sprint car and NASCAR, highlighting the overlap in audiences and participants.
“The people that are going to sprint car races are typically watching NASCAR on Sunday, and now we have a lot of NASCAR guys going back and running sprint cars. So, I definitely would love to have a dirt race,”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
Bristol’s Past and Prospective Venues for Dirt Racing
Although bringing back multiple dirt races annually might be daunting, Briscoe argued that one race would be a meaningful addition to the schedule, allowing the sport to tap into its legacy. Drawing on his recent experiences with Bristol Dirt, Briscoe shared his honest review:
“I thought Bristol Dirt was great. Truthfully, from the last two years, the first year definitely was not, but I do think that if we did it, it would be nice to go to an actual dirt track. But I wouldn’t be against Bristol dirt either if that was our only option.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
He admitted that hosting a NASCAR dirt race comes with unique logistical challenges, noting the limited number of existing dirt tracks across the country that are capable of handling an event of Cup Series magnitude. Among possible venues, Briscoe singled out Eldora Speedway as an ideal candidate for a future NASCAR dirt event.
The Path Forward for NASCAR’s Roots
Chase Briscoe’s position reflects a wider sentiment among drivers who want NASCAR to acknowledge its origins while also celebrating the variety that makes the series unique. The discussion surrounding a dirt track return continues to unfold, fueled by driver perspectives, historical tradition, and passionate fans. Whether or not NASCAR will heed these calls and reintegrate dirt racing into the Cup Series remains uncertain, but the ongoing conversation signals a readiness within the racing community to revisit and possibly embrace its storied past.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Chase Briscoe be in 2025?
A. Joe Gibbs Racing revealed on Friday that Bass Pro Shops will back Briscoe and the No. 19 team during the whole 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Briscoe is taking over from Martin Truex Jr.
Q. Where will Chase Briscoe go in 2025?
A. Chase Briscoe managed to conserve fuel and win his first NASCAR Cup Series race of 2025 at Pocono Raceway. On Sunday, racing for Joe Gibbs Racing, Briscoe secured victory in The Great American Getaway 400, joining the ranks of NASCAR Cup Series winners.
