Bristol Motor Speedway could be fitted with a roof

The idea has been discussed in the past, now things are becoming more realistic for the NASCAR track

About 5 years ago, Bruton Smith discussed the idea of possibly placing a roof over Bristol Motor Speedway. However, nothing came of it. Now, things have circled back around.

Bristol Motor Speedway is a half-mile short track nested in the Appalachian Mountains. The amazing stadium can seat 162,000 at full capacity. And at one time, they needed every seat as the track once had a waiting list for season tickets.

With races during the months of March and April, the tracks is regularly hit by rain. And, I’ve even been there when rain was transformed to snow.

In three of the last five Spring races, rain has throw a curveball at the race weekend. That included the most recent stop to the Bristol Dirt Track.

The track is constantly fighting mother nature. What if they could take mother nature out of the picture?

NASCAR’s newest dirt track would also be the only indoor track, call it a hybrid. There are many indoor races run across the country, specifically in the winter time, such at the Gateway Dirt Nationals in St. Louis, Missouri or the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Beating weather with science, Marcus Smith wants to do just that…

Bristol Motor Speedway - Crowd Attendance
Bristol Motor Speedway crowd during a rescheduled rain race for the NASCAR Cup Series

Marcus Smith talks a roof over Bristol Motor Speedway

“In 5 years, we need a rood on Bristol,” Marcus Smith stated via the Dale Jr Download.

Bristol Motor Speedway is already one of the loudest places on Earth. So, immediately as you read that, you start thinking about your ears exploding.

“We got it covered,” Smith says.

“The sun baking the dirt, that takes the moisture out.”

“Here’s where I would start. We hung the biggest center hung television over the top of Bristol. I mean, that thing is massive. The cables are as big as my leg.”

“The engineering feat was fantastic. When I saw it all done, for the football game I said, ‘Man, I bet if we can hang this TV then we can put a rood on this place.’ “

“A roof has been talked about before. But, now that we’ve done the TV it kinda gives my confidence that maybe we could do a cover.”

Smith concluded, “We need an umbrella. Just to prevent the rain from ruining the day. Those big cables that they use, they’ve covered big structures before.”

Related: North Wilkesboro Speedway could return to life

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Dale Jr Download | NASCAR | Speedway Motorsports Inc | Bristol Motor Speedway

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