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Dirt Track Advocacy: Christopher Bell’s Push for NASCAR’s Return to its Roots

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 15, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Christopher Bell’s Racing Dominance: Kyle Larson’s Perspective on the NASCAR Prodigy’s Historic Winning Streak

Mar 9, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell (20) crosses the finish line ahead of driver Denny Hamlin (11) and driver Kyle Larson (5) to win the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The rich heritage of NASCAR is deeply rooted in the dust and adrenaline of dirt track racing. This raw and thrilling form of motorsport was the launchpad for the inaugural NASCAR race in 1949 and fostered legendary stock car drivers like Lee Petty and Richard Petty. However, the 1970s saw a transition from the gritty dirt tracks to sleek paved circuits, a move that left the sport’s humble origins in the rearview mirror. Today, the rumble of dirt track racing still echoes at the grassroots level, where it continues to captivate fans with its unpredictable excitement.

In the modern era, there have been whispers of a revival of dirt racing at the NASCAR Cup Series level. One prominent voice in this chorus is that of Christopher Bell. The young driver from Norman, Oklahoma, who carved out a successful career on dirt tracks before transitioning to NASCAR, is championing a significant reintroduction of dirt racing into the sport. A closer look at Bell’s advocacy reveals a desire for NASCAR to reconnect with its roots, but what could this mean for the future of the sport?

Bell’s passion for dirt racing is well documented. His impressive victories at events such as the Chili Bowl Nationals and the Eldora Million on dirt tracks propelled him onto the national stage, earning him a reputation as one of the country’s most promising young talents. This success paved his way to NASCAR, but for Bell, dirt racing was more than just a stepping stone—it was his identity as a driver.

In a recent experiment, NASCAR reintroduced dirt racing at the Bristol Motor Speedway between 2021 and 2023. Bell shared his reflections on these events during the Barstool Racing podcast: “Dirt racing relies heavily on track preparation. In 2021, the track wasn’t prepared properly, leading to a midday race in a dust cloud that left drivers blinded and fans covered in dirt. However, the subsequent years saw improvement, with a night race in 2022 and an even better race in 2023. The track was perfect, leading to a truly thrilling race.”

Bell’s comments underscored the announcement by Speedway Motorsports Inc. regarding the setup of the Food City Dirt Race. Despite restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fan excitement was palpable. Jerry Caldwell, General Manager of SMI, announced, “With NASCAR’s blessing, we are thrilled to announce that we will be bringing back dirt in 2022 as part of the NASCAR Cup Series spring schedule.”

This revival of dirt racing marked a historic moment, as it was the first time since 1970 that a NASCAR Cup Series race was held on a dirt track. This allowed Joey Logano to break a record, becoming the first NASCAR Cup Series dirt race winner in over 50 years. However, Bell hopes that these milestones will not be fleeting but will herald a more permanent return to dirt racing.

Bell articulated his stance, stating, “Having dirt races on the schedule challenges drivers to adapt and expand their skill set. However, one-off races can lead to teams not taking it as seriously as they should. To ensure teams give dirt racing the attention it deserves, I believe we need to go all in and have two or three of them, or not at all.”

Bell’s advocacy for dirt racing isn’t without personal motivation. For years, his team, Joe Gibbs Racing, had barred him from participating in dirt races due to injury concerns. This restriction frustrated Bell, who felt that dirt racing was essential for maintaining his competitive edge. With the ban now lifted, Bell has been able to return to his roots and the results have been impressive, with three wins already under his belt in 2025. He firmly believes that more race time leads to better performance.

The decision to allow Bell to race on dirt has proven beneficial for Joe Gibbs. He commented, “The drivers love it, and it fills their time during the offseason. We’ll see where it leads, but I made the decision and we’ll see what happens with it.”

However, Bell’s call for more dirt races brings with it logistical challenges and considerations. Dirt racing requires specialized track preparation and additional equipment, which could complicate transportation logistics. Additionally, many dirt tracks lack the necessary facilities to host high-level NASCAR events, necessitating significant investments from NASCAR and track owners.

Despite these hurdles, Bell believes that expanding dirt racing would honor NASCAR’s origins while offering unique opportunities for drivers like him who thrive on its unique challenge. The question remains: is NASCAR ready to fully embrace its roots without alienating fans and teams accustomed to modern paved tracks? As Bell continues to champion this cause both on and off the track, it may be time for NASCAR to reassess how much of its future should be paved with dirt.

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