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.”
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 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