Clay.
Bristol Motor Speedway
| “Thunder Valley” “The Last Great Colosseum” “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile” “The Bullring” | |
|---|---|
| Race lap record | 0:12.742 (Brian Gerster, , 2011, Must See Racing X-treme Speed Classic) |
| Temporary dirt oval | |
| Surface | Clay |
| Length | 0.533 miles (0.858 km) |
What surface is Bristol Motor Speedway?
red clay
The half-mile Bristol Motor Speedway is covered in red clay and ready to host its second NASCAR weekend on dirt, welcoming the Cup and Truck series for a weekend of mudslinging.
Is Bristol race track dirt or asphalt?
The NASCAR Cup Series is getting dirty. Cup cars will race on the dirt-covered Bristol Motor Speedway for the second year in a row on Sunday night (7 ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
What is Bristol track made of?
concrete
Instead, NASCAR has transformed Bristol Motor Speedway, a storied, high-banked, concrete oval in northeastern Tennessee, into a temporary dirt track by hauling in 23,000 cubic yards of local red clay and packing it on top. concrete surface.
How much dirt is on the track at Bristol?
An estimated 23,000 cubic feet of dirt has been added to the . 533-mile contract surface. How the track is prepared prior to the race, including the amount of water used and where it’s placed, could produce an even more entertaining race than last season.
Does Bristol have concrete or asphalt?
concrete
Bristol Motor Speedway is one of only two tracks on the Sprint Cup series with a concrete racing surface.
Is Bristol dirt or paved?
Bristol Motor Speedway is one of NASCAR’s most historic venues. Since the 1960s, drivers have raced at Thunder Valley’s half-mile, high-banked oval. But in 2021, the track was covered in dirt for the first race on a non-paved track since 1970.
When did Bristol switch to dirt?
For much of its history, from 1961 to 1992 the race was run on the original asphalt surface, then on concrete from 1993 to 2020 after Bristol changed surfaces, but was moved to a dirt layout beginning in 2021. Kyle Busch is the defending race winner as of 2022.
Is Bristol permanently dirt?
Every year since 2016, PJ1 TrackBite is applied on the bottom of the track in an attempt to restore racing in the bottom groove that has been lost with changes to the banking in 2007 and 2012. Bristol was again converted to a dirt track in the spring of 2021.
When did Bristol Motor Speedway turn to dirt?
Under Speedway Motorsports ownership the track has continued to innovate, with the entire circuit converted to dirt in 2001 and 2002 for the World of Outlaws and again from 2021 onwards for the NASCAR Cup series spring race.
How do they cover Bristol in dirt?
Four layers of clay were laid down atop a sawdust base by bulldozers and graders guided by a GPS system accurate to within five-hundredths of an inch. Bristol’s signature 24- to 30-degree high banks have been cut to 19 degrees via 8 to 10 feet of fill dirt.
How much clay is on Bristol Motor Speedway?
After laying down three to four inches of sawdust to protect the pavement, it took 2,300 truckloads to move the 23,000 cubic yards of clay into the stadium.
What is a race track surface made of?
Sand, fibre, rubber and wax makes up the top 4-7 inches of the racing surface, installed on top of either porous asphalt or a geotextile membrane. A mixture of silica sand, recycled synthetic fibers (carpet & spandex) and chopped geotextile.
How many truck loads of dirt are on Bristol Motor Speedway?
2,300 truckloads
It took 2,300 truckloads of dirt to create the surface. “Dirt tracks start out wet and muddy, which doesn’t have a lot of grip, and then they go to tacky, which has a lot of grip,” said Stewart Friesen, a truck series driver who has significant dirt racing experience.
How fast do NASCAR cars go at Bristol dirt?
Reddick clocked a lap of 89.924 mph in the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Chase Briscoe was second fastest on the . 533-mile track at 89.753 mph with Kyle Busch, Justin Haley and Kurt Busch completing the top five.
Why did Bristol switch to concrete?
The asphalt would break up resulting in unsafe conditions and loss of traction. After several unsuccessful attempts to resurface the track with various asphaltic designs, the innovative track owner decided to investigate a concrete alternative.
What Nascar tracks are concrete?
Only Nashville Superspeedway was designed with a concrete racing surface. Martinsville installed concrete in the turns in 1976, while Bristol and Dover transitioned from asphalt to concrete in 1992 and 1995, respectively.
Why does Bristol have metal curbs?
Installed between the late 19th & early 20th centuries, this iron edging to the pavements was meant to protect the kerbs from metal cartwheels. It was intended to be used throughout #Bristol but the project was abandoned when it was clear the motorcar would dominate the roads.
What is the smallest NASCAR track?
Martinsville Speedway
At . 526 miles in length, Martinsville Speedway is the shortest track on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit. Because of its small size, tight corners and unique shape – described most often as a paperclip – Martinsville offers some of the most exciting and close-quarters racing in the sport.
Will Bristol have a dirt race in 2023?
Title2023 Bristol Dates Announced! Two Night Races! The Food City Dirt Race returns to Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday night, April 9, 2023, as part of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
What NASCAR track has the steepest banking?
Talladega Superspeedway
Often called “Dega”, the track is located at the former Anniston Air Force Base in Lincoln, Alabama. Along with being the most steeply banked, Talladega is also the longest oval at 2.66-miles long.