Chase Elliott And Corey Lajoie Latest To Enter Bristol Dirt Nationals

Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott and rising star Corey LaJoie are the latest NASCAR Cup Series drivers to enter this weekend’s Karl Kustoms Bristol Dirt Nationals.

Racing action in the Karl Kustoms Bristol Dirt Nationals begins today through Saturday, March 20. Monday-Thursday’s practice and heat racing will be closed to the public. The spectator grandstands will open on Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 during the main feature races in the eight classes of competition.

Cup Series stars Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Kyle Larson and Joey Logano, along with three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Matt Crafton, previously announced their entries. The NASCAR drivers are using the event to prepare for next weekend’s historic Food City Dirt Race and Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt. This is the first time in the modern era, since Sept. 1970, that the Cup Series will compete on a dirt race surface.

Elliott, who also competed on dirt in the Chili Bowl Nationals and National Midget Series earlier this year, will join Larson and Busch in the marquee Super Late Model division, while LaJoie will compete in the 604 Late Models along with Dillon. Logano and Crafton will compete in the Open Modified division.

NASCAR drivers like Chase Elliott want more dirt track practice before the NASCAR Cup race. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Headlined by the powerful dirt Super Late Models, the Karl Kustoms Bristol Dirt Nationals will provide fans with a first look at the BMS dirt track, which will feature 19-degree banking in the corners and a 50-foot wide racing surface. More than 23,000 cubic yards of dirt were hauled in to create the temporary dirt track surface.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chase Elliott and Corey LaJoie to the Karl Kustoms Bristol Dirt Nationals to join the other stout lineup of Cup and Truck stars already entered in this event,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager, Bristol Motor Speedway. “With more than 1,200 racers from all across the country competing this week, it’s going to be an epic event. We look forward to welcoming a limited number of fans here on Friday and Saturday to enjoy the races in our socially-distanced grandstands.”

Another NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. will behind the wheel of the #51 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota on Saturday, March 27 in the Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt. The race is set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET.. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Karl Kustoms Bristol Dirt Nationals will be promoted and produced by X.CELERATED of Silver Bay, Minn., an innovative company that specializes in streaming live motorsports events. The company recently worked with BMS sister track Las Vegas Motor Speedway on its Duel in the Desert event. The Karl Kustoms Bristol Dirt Nationals will be streamed on raceXR.com and the raceXR apps under the monthly subscription option. For information on tickets and camping, please click here. For participant information, please visit www.bristoldirt.com.