We watched the cup series, and the truck series turn some laps on the high banks of Bristol this past weekend. However, it wasn’t the Bristol we’ve all come to know and love. It was the Bristol dirt race once again. So many fans and even drivers hate the cup series being on dirt. Some think it takes the sport back progression wise, others enjoyed the show. Either way, we as a fan base need to accept that dirt racing in NASCAR is here to stay. At least for the seeable future.
Dirt Racing is Different
Whether you’re a lifelong purest type of fan or a new incoming fan you can’t deny occasionally something different within the sport is kind of nice to see from time to time. Well, the best drivers in our sport slipping and sliding on dirt is not only different but it’s kind of exciting. Now could we look at a different track to do it on, yeah maybe? Bristol is in many fans’ opinions the best track on the circuit and has been for a while.
However, the spring race lost its appeal, whether that be because of the weather in northeastern Tennessee. Or because it was just a daytime race. Either way, NASCAR had to do something different to sell tickets and increase the tv viewership of this race. Also, there aren’t many true dirt tracks in this country that even comes close to having the infrastructure to host a cup series race. Once you think about the TV trucks, then the team haulers, and all of the other countless vehicles that come with a major cup series race it makes sense to keep that at a track that could handle all of that traffic. I mean not too mention the money aspect this race brought in either. Tickets sold but also TV money.
TV Money Matters
You can’t hide the fact that the viewership was up majorly for this race. I mean have you logged onto a Twitter account today? Or even yesterday? Heck, the truck race brought in 1.167 million viewers and that was on FS1! That was the most-watched truck race at Bristol dating back to the first one in 1995. TV money is one of if not the biggest factor when it comes too these races anymore. If viewership falls off, then you can expect major changes too come. So, keep a close eye on viewer numbers in the years too come if you want this race too go away.
However, with the teams racing on Easter weekend competition was down when it comes too other sports on TV. Plus, I mean at least eighty percent of the NASCAR fan base was at home with their families celebrating the holiday. NASCAR was able too hold its own against playoff NBA basketball, and MLB on ESPN. Whether you personally liked it or not if you watched you contributed too the success. This was the highest viewed Bristol spring race since 2016. Apparently the dirt works, and brings the viewers with it.
Suck It Up Buttercup
Bristol is my favorite track by far on the schedule. I’ve been too the night race and even the first dirt race last year. Which was not as enjoyable too me as Sunday nights was on TV. Would I love too see two night races on the normal surface yes absolutely. However, my name isn’t Marcus Smith and I don’t make that decision. NASCAR is going too look at the TV viewership whether you like it or not especially since they’ve got so much invested into the next-gen car. The numbers where there so suck it up. Dirt racing will be happening again next year and it will be on the high banks of Bristol Motor speedway.
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