Calls for a Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR track shakeup are intensifying, as the Cup Series faces mounting pressure to enhance competition after recent events at Iowa Speedway. Amid demands for change, drivers are pushing for new formats and the revival of unique track experiences to reignite interest and excitement.
This week, discontent within NASCAR grew louder following the Iowa Corn 350, with many voices from inside the garage wishing for more thrilling races. Former Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick emerged as a prominent advocate for increased car power, revealing that ARCA vehicles outpaced Cup Series cars on the Iowa Speedway—a situation he and many fans found unsatisfactory.
With questions about how best to reinvigorate the schedule, attention is turning to the types of tracks featured in the Cup Series lineup. Expanding beyond the standard mix of intermediates, short tracks, and road courses could offer the fresh dynamics fans crave.
Chase Briscoe Calls for a Dirt Race on the Annual Calendar
Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe, speaking at the 360 Nationals in Knoxville, went beyond suggestions about the Truck Series and instead emphasized the need for the Cup Series itself to return to dirt racing each season. Briscoe, recognized for his successful stints on dirt tracks at Eldora and previous NASCAR dirt events, shared his perspective on the significance of dirt racing in American motorsports.
“Yeah absolutely. Any time there’s been a NASCAR dirt race I always try to make it a point to go run. I remember coming here and running the Truck race a couple of years ago and obviously I always ran Eldora races as well.”
—Chase Briscoe, Cup Series Driver
“I feel like even the Cup Series, we need to have a Dirt race. Dirt racing is such a big part of motor sports in America.”
—Chase Briscoe, Cup Series Driver
“Every other discipline, whether it’s road course or short track or intermediate – seems to be everybody has their own thing – but dirt doesn’t get the recognition in the Cup Series. We had it there for a couple of years but we don’t get to any more.”
—Chase Briscoe, Cup Series Driver
“So yeah I think we need to have at least one dirt race, whether it’s Bristol Dirt, Eldora or Knoxville – wherever it is – I just think we need to have a dirt race.”
—Chase Briscoe, Cup Series Driver
Briscoe’s call reflects growing sentiment among some competitors that, while road courses and traditional ovals each have a place in the sport, dirt races provide a distinctive challenge and spectacle currently missing from the Cup Series. Previous years saw NASCAR experimenting with dirt venues, but those events are now absent from the schedule, leaving drivers like Briscoe eager for their return.
Harvick and Others Push for Enhanced Competition
The discussion about shaking up the schedule comes at a time when legendary figures such as Kevin Harvick publicly criticize existing traditions and vehicle performance. Harvick, upset by the relative speed of ARCA cars compared to the premier Cup Series at Iowa Speedway, articulates frustration with the current state of competition.
Meanwhile, recent headlines have highlighted prominent Cup drivers, including Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, amid broader debates about what will keep the racing compelling for audiences and participants alike. The desire for more variety, unpredictability, and the occasional upset continues to fuel these calls for reform.
What’s Next for the NASCAR Cup Series?
As key drivers continue to voice their opinions, NASCAR is faced with decisions about the future composition of its schedule. The Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR track shakeup, particularly the potential for a dedicated dirt event in major venues like Eldora, Knoxville, or Bristol Dirt, remains a topic of intense discussion. Actions taken in response to these demands may determine whether new traditions take hold, enhancing not only competition but the enduring appeal of the Cup Series for fans and teams alike.
