Changes made so Bristol race can go

BRISTOL, Tenn. — NASCAR feverishly tried to save its ballyhooed first Cup Series dirt race since 1970 from turning into a total disaster, the likes not seen since the 2008 tire debacle at Indianapolis made for one of the worst events in the sport’s history.

The Food City Cup Series dirt race is slated to race Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, where 2,300 truckloads of red Tennessee clay have filled the famed bullring for an experimental — some might allege gimmick — stab at grassroots racing.

But the dirt, the 28-degree Bristol banking and the leaden 3,400-pound cars appear to be a terrible fit.

Yes, drivers had a blast playing in the dirt, some for the first time since they were kids. But four Friday practice sessions ultimately showed the tires can’t sustain the heavy wear. The three layers of dirt acted as a cheese-grater and the tires in turn dug deep divots into the surface.

NACAR made several procedural changes Saturday in a desperate bid to save the show.

Bristol also made a bold change this year by converting its facility into a dirt race as part of radical changes to the 2021 schedule. NASCAR needed a major shakeup, and the dirt race joined an influx

of road courses and new venues for the most adventurous schedule in sport history.

Bristol had previously converted to dirt for the World of Outlaws in 2000 and 2001, and Speedway Motorsports has hosted dirt events at other facilities with mixed reviews. Conditions at the Dirt Track at Charlotte last November made for a blinding dustbowl, but Bristol seemed to have it figured out last week when it hosted a problem-free week of racing.

The issues slowly started to snowball during roughly four hours of Friday practice time between the Truck and Cup Series. At first, it was just too dusty.

Then tires began to wear down to the cords while digging deep divots into the track surface.

NASCAR is also facing weather challenges — heavy rain drenched the dirt and delayed the start of Saturday activity before ultimately washing it out entirely. The heat races for both Cup and Trucks were scrapped and the Truck Series will run after the Cup race for a Sunday doubleheader.

David Crigger The Associated Press Kyle Busch drives on the dirt track during NASCAR Cup Series practice at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday. Tweaks had to be made on the track.