Chase Briscoe, currently driving the No. 19 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, recently emphasized the importance of bringing dirt racing back to the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Drawing from his and other drivers’ dirt track origins, Briscoe believes that dirt races offer a vital link to the sport’s diverse heritage and would complement existing race formats. His comments spotlight the push for venues like Eldora Speedway, upgraded and owned by Tony Stewart, to once again host NASCAR events.
The Significance of Dirt Racing to NASCAR Drivers and Fans
Drivers such as Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Briscoe share a deep connection to dirt track racing, seeing it as more than a mere discipline but a critical part of their development and identity. While Briscoe values the speed and excitement of asphalt tracks, he states that the sport benefits from variety, highlighting that NASCAR already features superspeedways, short tracks, intermediate ovals, and road courses. He made clear that dirt racing should be the missing element in this lineup:
“I definitely think we need a dirt track just because we run on every discipline. We have superspeedway, short track, intermediate, road course, and you know, growing up, you’re either a road course guy, a short track racer, or a dirt racer.” —Chase Briscoe
Briscoe further argued that one well-placed dirt event would reflect the broad motorsports culture and appeal to a shared fanbase that often follows sprint car racing alongside NASCAR.
“The people that are going to sprint car races are typically watching NASCAR on Sunday and now we have a lot of NASCAR guys going back and running sprint cars. So, I definitely would love to have a dirt race. I don’t think we need more than one, but I think one would be nice.” —Chase Briscoe
Preference for Eldora Speedway as a Flagship Dirt Venue
Though NASCAR’s experiment with a dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway provided some excitement despite a rocky start, Briscoe expressed a strong preference for Eldora Speedway as a dedicated dirt venue. He believes Eldora’s recent improvements make it especially suitable for hosting top-tier NASCAR events.
“Eldora certainly would put on a great race,” —Chase Briscoe
From 2013 to 2019, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series held the Eldora Dirt Derby at this Tony Stewart-owned track. Now extensively upgraded, Eldora features the infrastructure and track conditions that could potentially elevate the dirt racing experience for the premier Cup Series. However, despite its capabilities, NASCAR has yet to confirm any plans for the Cup Series to revisit dirt racing at Eldora.
Christopher Bell Supports Expanding Dirt Events in NASCAR
Christopher Bell, another driver with dirt racing roots, supports the idea of Eldora making a comeback on the NASCAR calendar and suggests that a single event may not be enough to properly integrate dirt racing into the schedule. Bell criticizes NASCAR for not embracing dirt with the same commitment it has shown for road courses and proposes adding two or three dirt races to provide the format with a genuine opportunity to thrive.
For Bell and drivers like Briscoe, the call to include dirt is about more than nostalgia. It represents the chance to reconnect with their roots and satisfy fans who followed their careers from the mud to the asphalt. As the discussion continues, Eldora Speedway stands out as the leading venue for a meaningful return to dirt racing in NASCAR’s highest tier.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Chase Briscoe be in 2025?
A. In 2025, Chase Briscoe will become part of Joe Gibbs Racing, a team known for winning championships. He will drive the No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE, replacing Martin Truex Jr., who is retiring.
Q. Where is Chase Briscoe going in 2025?
A. Chase Briscoe is set to join the successful Joe Gibbs Racing team in 2025 and will be driving the No.