Kyle Busch to run Bristol Dirt Nationals as Jonathan Davenport’s teammate

Kyle Busch joins list of NASCAR stars set to run late model on Bristol Dirt track

Bristol Motor Speedway is covered in dirt. And there’s a lot of exciting things coming to the new dirt track Bristol, Tennessee for the coming weeks.

On Wednesday night, Jonathan Davenport unloaded at Bristol Motor Speedway for a round of practice. The dirt late model portion of the week long event is set for Mar 19-20, 2021.

Now, the team has a big announcement on Thursday morning. Kyle Busch will enter the Bristol Dirt Nationals.

Busch will enter the dirt late model event in the No. 51 as a teammate to Jonathan Davenport. Both drivers will run the event for Lance Lander’s Double L Motorsports out of Arkansas.

This event takes place directly ahead of the NASCAR weekend at Bristol which will see the first NASCAR Cup Series race on dirt since 1970. Kyle Larson and Joey Logano have already been announced as entries. Busch is now the 3rd NASCAR Cup Series star to enter.

The Bristol Dirt Nationals event will be spread over 6 days of racing. Saturday’s finale will pay $50,000 to the dirt late model feature winner.

Nutrien Ag Solutions will serve as the primary sponsor for both entries.

Related: Bristol Dirt Track – Cars on track for first practice (Video)

Kyle Busch comments on Bristol Dirt Nationals

Previously, Kyle Busch won the 2012 Prelude to the Dream. The race saw many NASCAR stars in the invitation only dirt late model race.

“Most of my experience in super late models have come on pavement, but I’ve really enjoyed dirt Super Late Model races when I’ve had the chance to run them,” said Kyle Busch.  

“The Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway was a race I looked forward to every year and bringing home the win there in 2012 was something I’ll always remember. I want to thank Nutrien Ag Solutions and Double L Motorsports for the opportunity to get some seat time at Bristol in one of their Dirt Late Models.”

“Jonathan Davenport’s resume speaks for itself with all the success he’s had in the Dirt Late Model cars, so I’m looking forward to learning all I can from him.”

Busch added, “While the cars are completely different than the NASCAR Cup Series cars we will run at Bristol, just getting some experience on dirt with a great team and a knowledgeable teammate will be invaluable for the following weekend.”

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

Jonathan Davenport on two wheels at Tri-City Speedway - Lucas Oil Late Models 8986
Jonathan Davenport on two wheels at Tri-City Speedway – Lucas Oil Late Models 8986

Jonathan Davenport comments

Davenport is a three-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion.

“This is an event that we have been eyeing since it was announced during the off-season,” stated Jonathan Davenport.

“The first dirt races at Bristol back twenty years ago were huge for our sport and since then, we have come a long way in the amount of exposure that our type of racing gets.”

“I believe that this year’s Bristol Dirt Nationals and having Kyle (Busch) compete in it along with a bunch of talented dirt drivers, will put even more eyeballs on our sport.”

Davenport added, “He is a heck of a wheelman in anything he drives, so I am definitely looking forward to teaming up with Kyle and see what we can both do on the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway!”

Related: The Bristol Dirt Race was put to a vote; The alternatives were too expensive, forcing a NASCAR dirt track

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

“Nutrien Ag Solutions is very excited to have this caliber of drivers representing us on the famed 1/2-mile dirt oval at Bristol,” exclaimed Steve Martin with Nutrien Ag Solutions. 

“Jonathan (Davenport) and Double L Motorsports have done a great job of representing us over the past several years and all of us are excited about this inaugural Bristol Dirt Nationals event.”

Martin added, “To add Kyle (Busch) to our team for that weekend is extra special, as he is obviously one of the best drivers in the world. I know he hasn’t wheeled a Super Late Model in a few years, but he will be in great equipment – just like Jonathan – and I’m looking forward to watching both drivers perform well on March 19-20!”

Related: Bristol Dirt Schedule for all four events

Links

Jonathan Davenport | Kyle Busch | Bristol Motor Speedway | Bristol Dirt Nationals | World of Outlaws | Super DIRTcar Series | DIRTcar | NASCAR

Categories

Tags