Kyle Larson running late model on Bristol Dirt track

Kyle Larson talks the Bristol Dirt race; Driver set to run $50,000 dirt late model show ahead of NASCAR race

For the first time in 50 years, the NASCAR Cup Series is set to run on the dirt. Bristol Motor Speedway has covered their concrete with dirt and will host the Cup Series on March 28, 2021.

In the week leading up to that event, the track will host 6 straight days of traditional dirt track racing machines. That includes a $10,000 to win late model event on Friday and a $50,000 to win late model race on Saturday.

Kyle Larson intends to be a part of the Bristol Dirt Nationals. He’ll run in the late model division.

Larson has won two dirt late model races in his limited starts within the division. He ran his first race at Port Royal Speedway last year, picking up a win in his first late model weekend. Recently, he won a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at All-Tech Raceway.

Kyle Larson talks running late model and maybe sprint car races at Bristol

“It’s definitely a race that I look forward to running because of really, the uniqueness of it. There will be a lot of eyes on that event. You want to be the first to win the NASCAR race there,” Kyle Larson stated.

“I’m also excited to race other forms of cars there. I don’t know if I’ll do the Outlaw deal yet. I’d like to. I’m definitely going to do the late model race, the week before the Cup Race.”

“Cool to have Bristol doing it and bringing grassroots racing to the race track. I think there’s over 1,000 cars entered or something.”

“I hope I can at least win something there.”

The World of Outlaws will bring sprint cars to Bristol on April 22-24, 2021. The NASCAR Cup Series is in Talladega Superspeedway on April 25th. The potential is there for Larson to run that sprint car event but he’s unsure at the moment.

As for the Cup race on dirt

“I think it’s all really unknown until we all get there,” Larson said.

“Obviously, a cup car is like 2,000 more pounds than cars I’m use to running. Yes, Bell and I have a lot of dirt experience but I don’t really believe it to be that beneficial to us in a stock car because it’s so different.”

“We’ve all been to Bristol in that time of year and it rains, all the time. I have no clue how the track’s going to be. It could be hard and slick. Or hard and rubber down in one lane.”

“Or, it could rain and be heavy, rough where we’re ripping the noses off the cars. Honestly, I hope it does get a little bit rough because it adds some characteristics to the track.”

Kyle Larson - Daytona International Speedway - NASCAR Cup Series
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 10: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Nations Guard Chevrolet, poses for photos during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Larson doesn’t expect a dirt advantage at Bristol

Larson won 46 dirt races in 2020 with a 50% win rate.

“Dirt has always been something I can go back to, when I have a rough stretch of things in NASCAR. Kinda turn my confidence around and get my attitude going in the right direction.”

“That’s what racing sprint cars, midgets and late models this past year, kinda helped me do. I had my best season ever, in a race car. Whenever you’re winning, that’s always helping things.”

However, Larson doesn’t expect an advantage over his NASCAR competitors come Sunday on the dirt.

“My being a dirt racer, maybe I’m just trying to downplay it. Myself, Bell or Ricky aren’t going to have a huge advantage over everybody.”

“If it doesn’t rain, it’s going to be smooth, rubbered down and one lane. You know, kinda like a pavement race. So, I don’t think the running order is going to look much different than a normal race weekend.”

Larson added, “But, I also don’t know, because we haven’t been there yet. I could be totally wrong and I hope I am. I hope I go out there and dominate every time I hit the track.”

Bristol Motor Speedway - TN Dirt Track
Bristol Motor Speedway – TN Dirt Track

Bristol Dirt Nationals
Schedule

View the full Bristol dirt schedule below:

Monday
March 15, 2021

602 Late Model
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

Modified
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

Sport Mod
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

602 Late Model
Features (3) – 20 Laps

Modified
Features (3) – 20 Laps

Sport Mod
Features (3) – 18 Laps

Tuesday
March 19, 2021

604 Late Model
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

Open Modified
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

Stock Car
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

604 Late Model
Features (3) – 20 Laps

Open Modified
Features (3) – 20 Laps

Stock Car
Features (3) – 18 Laps

Wednesday
March 17, 2021

602 Late Model
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

Modified
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

Sport Mod
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

Hornets
Heats (8) – 10 Laps

602 Late Model
Features (3) – 20 Laps

Modified
Features (3) – 20 Laps

Sport Mod
Features (3) – 18 Laps

Thursday
March 18, 2021

604 Late Model
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

Open Modified
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

Stock Car
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

Hornets
Heats (8) – 10 Laps

604 Late Model
Features (3) – 20 Laps

Open Modified
Features (3) – 20 Laps

Stock Car
Features (3) – 18 Laps

Friday
March 19, 2021

Sport Mod
LCQ (4) – 10 Laps

602 Late Model
LCQ (4) – 10 Laps

Modified
LCQ (4) – 10 Laps

Super Late Model
Group Qualifying

Sport Mod
Feature – 30 Laps – $5,000 to win

Super Late Model
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

602 Late Models
Feature – 30 Laps – $5,000 to win

Super Late Model
B Mains

Dirt Modified
Feature – 30 Laps – $7,500 to win

Super Late Models
Feature – 50 Laps – $10,000 to win

Saturday
March 20, 2021

Hornets
16 Laps – $2,000 to win

Stock Cars
LCQ (4) – 10 Laps

604 Late Model
LCQ (4) – 10 Laps

Open Modified
LCQ (4) – 10 Laps

Super Late Model
Group Qualifying

Stock Cars
Feature – 30 Laps – $5,000

Super Late Model
Heats (10) – 10 Laps

604 Late Models
Feature – 30 Laps – $7,500 to win

Super Late Model
B Main

Open Modifieds
Feature – 30 Laps – $10,000 to win

Super Late Model
Feature – 50 Laps – $50,000 to win

Note: All classes will award payouts to the top 24 finishers in the feature events.

Driver registration begins today: www.bristoldirt.com


NASCAR dirt schedule

The following NASCAR races will also be run on the Bristol dirt track:

March 27, 2021
NASCAR Truck Series
134 Laps / 201 Miles

March 28, 2021
NASCAR Cup Series
Food City Dirt Race
Laps: 250


World of Outlaws: Bristol Bash

The following will take place between April 8-10, 2021:

Thursday
April 8, 2021

Bristol Bash
Practice (Late Models + UMP Modifieds)

Friday
April 9, 2021

UMP Modifieds
Hot Laps, Qualifying, Heat Races, LCQs
20 Lap Feature – $5,000 to win

World of Outlaws Late Models
Hot Laps, Qualifying, Heat Races, LCQs
40 Lap Feature – $10,000 to win

Saturday
April 10, 2021

UMP Modifieds
Hot Laps, Qualifying, Heat Races, LCQs
20 Lap Feature – $10,000 to win

World of Outlaws Late Models
Hot Laps, Qualifying, Heat Races, LCQs
50 Lap Feature – $25,000 to win


World of Outlaws: Bristol Throwdown

The following will take place between April 22-24, 2021:

Thursday
April 22, 2021

World of Outlaws: Bristol Throwdown
Practice (Sprint Cars + Suepr DIRTcar Series)

Friday
April 2, 2021

Super DIRTcar Series
Hot Laps, Qualifying, Heat Races, LCQs
40 Lap Feature – $10,000 to win

World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Hot Laps, Qualifying, Heat Races, LCQs
25 Lap Feature – $10,000 to win

Saturday
April 10, 2021

Super DIRTcar Series
Hot Laps, Qualifying, Heat Races, LCQs
40 Lap Feature – $10,000 to win

World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Hot Laps, Qualifying, Heat Races, LCQs
25 Lap Feature – $25,000 to win

Links

Kyle Larson | Bristol Motor Speedway | Bristol Dirt Nationals | World of Outlaws | Super DIRTcar Series | DIRTcar | NASCAR

Categories

Tags