NASCAR: Kyle Larson Questions Use of Windshields on Bristol Dirt

Defending Cup champion Kyle Larson believes the weekend of dirt racing ahead at Bristol Motor Speedway will be better than last year, but the dirt ace still isn’t sold on the idea of NASCAR on dirt.

Larson, who has won the biggest events in dirt sprint-car and midget racing, made an appearance on the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio show “Dialed In” on Wednesday night, noting he does not believe NASCAR should compete on a dirt surface unless the sanctioning body is willing to remove windshields from the car and use other protection to allow for more traditional dirt racing.

“I guess the way that I look at it (is) if we’re not going to take the windshields out, then why are we racing on dirt?” Larson said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “We just shouldn’t race on dirt if we’re not going to take the windshields out and actually have a dirt race with moisture in the track and being able to produce a real dirt race. I feel like we’re just wasting everybody’s time a little bit and not giving the fans and competitors what we all deserve.

Larson suggested welding bars across the windshield similar to a dirt late model, which he raced at Bristol earlier this month. The Hendrick Motorsports driver noted the bars acted like a rock screen.

Larson said he understands NASCAR’s position and that safety is critical.

— NBC Sports —