Dirt Racing at the Last Great Coliseum: Bristol Race Review and Analysis

 



Dirt racing on Easter Sunday! The Nascar Cup Series visited Bristol Motor Speedway on dirt, for the third year in a row, and the second consecutive year on Easter.  Christopher Bell took home the checkered flag, this is his 1st win of the 2023 season, and the 5th of his career.  The 28-year old joins Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Busch, William Byron, Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, and Kyle Larson as the only drivers locked into the playoffs. 

(Christopher Bell On-Track at Bristol)

Entering the weekend, the goal of a non-weather impacted event came to fruition as all 250 laps were run without a single raindrop, which is something foreign to spring races at Bristol.  Bell was able to capture the Bristol sword, and plant it in the Tennessee dirt, after running the high line, with the track widening out in the final stage by leading 100 laps.  



The Norman, Oklahoma native's victory didn't come without his background, and knowledge of dirt racing growing up in the sooner state, to hold off Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe, and the recently frequent late-race caution which prompts an overtime restart.



Dirt on Bristol has drawn criticism in all aspects in recent years, from attendance, to on-track product, and Nascar's decision to give this race the platform its had of a primetime Sunday night race, as the third time was indeed the charm with no weather, a plethora of passing, and a multi groove track with the “cushion” keeping drivers, and fans on edge throughout the race.  


Throughout tonight's race spins, craft, perfection, and strategy all unfold under the lights, scoring today’s action a 9.5 out of 10, as a pleasant surprise came about in Bristol to conclude 2023's Easter Sunday. 

(Bell's #20 Machine on the Starting Grid)

Leaving this Easter Sunday with positive feelings to embark on is Christopher Bell headlining the weekend for Joe Gibbs Racing, Tyler Reddick in 2nd for 23XI Racing leading 69 laps, Austin Dillon in 3rd for Richard Childress Racing, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for JTG Daugherty Racing in 4th.  Fifth is awarded to Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe, alongside him is Justin Haley for Kaulig Racing in 6th.  


Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. crosses the line 7th, as Front Row Motorsports’ Todd Gilliland comes home 8th.  Ninth goes to Kevin Harvick for Stewart-Haas Racing, as Michael McDowell rounds out the top-10 in 10th for Front Row Motorsports.



Honorable mentions go to rookie Ty Gibbs in 11th for Joe Gibbs Racing, Bubba Wallace in 12th for 23XI Racing as well.  William Byron in 13th for Hendrick Motorsports, as Erik Jones bounced back in 14th for Legacy Motor Club.  


Harrison Burton crosses the line 15th for Wood Brothers Racing, and scaling down a few positions J.J. Yeley comes home 20th for Rick Ware Racing, and Ty Dillon finishes 21st for Spire Motorsports, both in season-best performances.  



Looking to regain stride entering Martinsville is Joey Logano for Team Penske, Kyle Larson for Hendrick Motorsports, Noah Gragson of Legacy Motor Club, and Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez.  



For the ones to watch entering next weekend, look for Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, 23XI Racing, and Hendrick Motorsports to be strong all weekend long at the .526 mile long track. 




Short track racing in Virginia!  The Nascar national series will visit Martinsville Speedway for week 9 of the Nascar season.  The Ridgeway, Virginia track will host the Craftsman Truck Series for practice and qualifying at 3:30pm ET, later followed by the Long John Silver’s 200 truck race on Friday night 7:30pm ET on FS1. The Xfinity Series will have practice and qualifying getting underway at 5:00pm ET, with the Call811.com Before You Dig 250 at 7:30pm ET, Saturday on FS1. The Cup Series will return to Sunday afternoon racing at Martinsville, after drifting away from the three-year Saturday night spring race event at the paperclip track.  Practice and qualifying begins at 4:35 pm ET Saturday afternoon, with the NOCO 400 at 3pm ET Sunday afternoon, only on FS1. The short-track package for the Cup Series makes its debut at Martinsville, along with the new turns 1 and 2 grassy berms for spectator seating arrangements.




( All images credited to https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/cup-series.)


For next week's race information please view the link down below:

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