Rumor: Bristol track will be converted to dirt for Cup Series (Update)

This rumor is upgraded to ‘fact’ with today’s announcement:

As part of Bristol Motor Speedway’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2021, a throwback challenge will be issued to the Gladiators in the NASCAR Cup Series by The Last Great Colosseum as the iconic half-mile bullring in Northeast Tennessee will be transformed into a state-of-the-art dirt racing facility for the Food City race on March 28.

The event will mark the first time the NASCAR Cup Series will compete on dirt in the sport’s modern era. The last time the Cup Series held a race on dirt was at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1970, won by Richard Petty.

It will be the third time that BMS will transform into a dirt facility, as the track converted to dirt to host the World of Outlaws in 2000 and 2001.

“As everyone knows, Bristol Motor Speedway is the home to big events and we feel like this will be one of the most anticipated races in the NASCAR Cup Series in quite some time,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “We have proven in the past that we know how to transform Bristol Motor Speedway into one of the most pristine dirt facilities anywhere around, so we can’t wait to see how the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will perform on the high banks at the World’s Fastest dirt Half-Mile.”

Season ticket packages for 2021 NASCAR Cup Series races at Bristol Motor Speedway are on sale today, and fans can also purchase single tickets for the March 28 Food City race. The Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race will once again be held in September as a cut-off race in the Round of 16 of the NASCAR Playoffs.

Founded in 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2021 and has many exciting things planned during the year to reflect on the great moments that have made the multi-use sports and entertainment destination one of the very best for creating wow moments and cherished memories for fans. Home to epic NASCAR races and other major motorsports events, as well as NFL and college football games, a wide variety of music concerts and other captivating events, Bristol Motor Speedway has shined in the spotlight on many occasions throughout the past six decades.

The latest venture to host a return to NASCAR’s roots of dirt racing will certainly add to that legacy.

“We are blessed here at Bristol Motor Speedway to have held some really captivating events in the last 60 years,” Caldwell said. “Hosting the tradition-rich Food City race on dirt is certainly an event that will immediately jump on the list of some of the most compelling events that have taken center stage at Bristol Motor Speedway.”

To purchase season tickets to the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series races at Bristol Motor Speedway or the 2021 Food City race, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com or call the BMS Ticket Sales Center at (866) 415-4158.

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NASCAR plans to convert Bristol Motor Speedway into a dirt track for a regular-season race next spring, according to a Tuesday night report from CATCHFENCE.com.

The proposed event would be NASCAR’s first dirt endeavor since 1970, and would take place on March 28, 2021.