nascar best dirt track drivers

NASCAR’s all-time leader with 200 race victories and a record-setting seven championships, Richard Petty (2010) loved racing on dirt because he felt the driver could make up more for an ill-handling car than he could on pavement. It is worth mentioning that Kyle Larson boasts of incredible prowess on dirt surfaces. Even though we are still over a week away, the anticipation for the Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway (March 28) is palpable. Not only is he arguably the best dirt track driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, Kyle Larson also demonstrated that he has the best car in 2021. Alex Bowman was the fastest driver in the opening practice of NASCAR's inaugural dirt weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Petty’s first premier series victory came in 1960 at the old Southern States Fairgrounds, a 0.500-mile dirt track in Charlotte. Jennerstown Speedway is hallowed grounds to some drivers; even NASCAR greats have graced the track to compete. Turner began running moonshine on dirt roads throughout Roanoke County, Va., when he was only 10 years old. He went on to win 55 races including events in NAS­CAR’s convertible division. But who are 20 drivers in NASCAR history who have helped themselves be competitive by … Online platform iRacing has become a strong tool for driver preparation, and thanks to Bristol’s dirt track being added to the platform, they’ll be able to use it here too. To turn the concrete half-mile at Thunder Valley into a dirt track, Bristol imported 2,300 truckloads of dirt. Stewart Friesen ($10,500) - Kyle Larson gets a lot of attention, but Friesen may be one of the best dirt racers in NASCAR. 99 for B. J. McLeod Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, and the No. Denny Hamlin was in the 2011 version, Joey Logano was in the 2010 version, Kevin Harvick was in the 2009 version and a lot of them have dirt experience as they came up through the ranks. Alex Bowman recorded the fastest lap on the first and Ryan Blaney did on the second. How NASCAR drivers prepare for dirt racing BRISTOL, Tenn. – March 19: Kyle Busch, driver of the #51 Super Late Model, drives during the Karl Kustoms Bristol Dirt Nationals at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 19, 2021, in Bristol, Tennessee. Keep your roster from getting mashed by the Monster Mile. He ran 42 laps, but his fastest lap was his first one on track. The Action Track. Chase Briscoe ($11,000) - This is a star studded race. But first, three drivers are set to be set to the rear of the field ahead of this 250-lap Food City Dirt Race around the four-turn, 0.533-mile (0.858-kilometer) high-banked oval in Bristol, Tennessee. NASCAR drivers got the feel of the dirt race at Bristol, prior to the upcoming Cup Series race there, in two practice sessions on Friday. Jerry Markland/Getty Images . Many of the series regulars have taken turns in recent weeks, logging laps on dirt tracks across the country and in the Bristol Dirt Nationals held last week at the .533-mile track. Additionally, the other drivers to record top-five in both sessions were Bowman and Denny Hamlin. Kyle Larson: Larson spent his year in NASCAR exile piling up 80+ dirt track wins, and he has looked like the best driver in the series in 2021 in his first season with Hendrick Motorsports. But the race is 250 laps long — a marathon for dirt drivers — and no one can predict how the track will change over the course of the race. Ryan James Ellis (born November 29, 1989) is an American professional stock car racing driver. 3. Several NASCAR drivers raced … Having competed in dirt races after his NASCAR hiatus in 2020 and during the offseason, he should be well-prepared. NASCAR / NASCAR Fantasy Picks: Best Dover International Speedway Drivers for DraftKings ; By Tom Bowles, 5/15/21, 12:00 PM EDT . Our car experts choose every product we feature. NASCAR, a sport where only the most competitive survive. Drivers had to have a minimum of two starts at a track … He’s clearly the man to beat this weekend as Kyle will be a Top 10, Top 5, and Top 3 car on Sunday. North Wilkesboro Speedway in the heart of North Carolina moonshine country, was one of NASCAR’s original dirt tracks. Many drivers have looked to put deals together to race in the supporting Truck Series race which could be vital for learning how the dirt evolves and wears away to be in contention at the end of the Cup race. 32 Ford Mustang for Go Fas Racing in the Cup Series Bowman led the way at 89.308 mph (21.155 seconds). Last season, Larson spent the majority of his time away from NASCAR piling up wins on dirt tracks across the country. We may earn money from the links on this page. NASCAR drivers are seeking different ways to prepare for the first series race on dirt since 1970. Best Boulder Blasts in Caltrans Highway History. Following are the best tracks, statistically speaking, for each of the top 20 drivers in the 2016 NASCAR Premier Series points standings. A host of NASCAR drivers have dirt racing backgrounds — Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Tyler Reddick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Alex Bowman to name a few. One of the best on dirt tracks was lumberman Curtis Turner, a very popular NASCAR driver who co-founded Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1960. Here is what NASCAR Cup drivers said after Monday's race on the dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway, the first Cup dirt race since 1970. The World's Fastest Half-Mile. Of course, Busch didn’t start out driving Cup Series cars at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but about an hour and a half away racing dwarf cars on the Pahrump Valley Speedway dirt track. However, Larson refused to err on the side of complacence and declared that his dirt track experience is different from racing in NASCAR. 0 of 10. Kyle Larson’s Stunning Dirt Track Record in 2020 ‘Does Not Surprise’ Dale Earnhardt Jr. Josh Wise is hoping the fruits of some unexpected labor will bear this weekend on Bristol’s dirt. Published 01/01/2021, 1:39 AM EST RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 09: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. The NASCAR Cup Series will run on dirt for the first time since 1970 with Monday‘s Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway (4 p.m. The NASCAR Cup Series heads to a popular track this week, when drivers take on the “The Last Great Colosseum” that is Bristol Motor Speedway. Ranking the 10 Best Active Short-Track Drivers in NASCAR. Kyle Larson is an automatic choice on this list. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby. Since NASCAR started racing on dirt, it’s not surprising that the records for most dirt track victories all belong to NASCAR Hall of Fame drivers, according to Racing-Reference.info, a statistical service that provides data on NASCAR races. Larson lost those races to the two best dirt track drivers today. A host of NASCAR drivers have dirt racing backgrounds — Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Tyler Reddick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. […] Photo: Tucker White/LastWordonSports.com . With nicknames like that, it's … I should also mention the Prelude to the Dream was a race run at Eldora Speedway with a lot of Cup Drivers … He also has an El Dora win in the Truck Series. Driver Averages at Dirt Tracks in Recent Races (since Feb 2018) Driver Avg Finish Races Wins Top 5's Top 10's Top 20's Laps Led Poles Avg Start Best Finish A NASCAR Cup Series driver from 2011-16, Wise now … He has a victory on the season which almost guarantees him to make the Playoffs. Friesen has over 300 wins in dirt modified races. The Paperclip. A one-fifth track was put inside the football stadium and the event included racing for dirt late models, dirt modifieds and midget cars. 34 Chevrolet Silverado for Reaume Brothers Racing in the Camping World Truck Series, the No. “It’s a lot of fun, for sure,” Bowman said. 2. Christopher Bell (+550) Top 5 (+125) Top 10 (-215) By all accounts, 2021 has already been a huge success for Christopher Bell. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). He competes part-time in NASCAR's three national series: he drives the No.