Unleashing the Potential of Dirt Racing in NASCAR

Reasons for the Decision

In a statement to The Athletic, Gibbs expressed his longstanding preference for drivers to focus primarily on racing in NASCAR. However, with three-quarters of his JGR Cup roster expressing a desire to partake in dirt racing (excluding Denny Hamlin), the team felt it was only fair to establish a process to consider these opportunities. "We sort of had discussions to come up with a process by which they can request to run certain races," Gibbs said. "If they receive approval from all the necessary parties on our competition side, then they are free to participate. This includes dirt racing but also potentially other forms of racing."

Dirt racing has long been a topic of debate due to the inherent risks involved. Just last month, Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman suffered a severe injury when he broke his back in a sprint car crash in April 2023. This incident led to him missing four Cup Series races and failing to qualify for the playoffs that season. He has yet to return to sprint car racing.

On the other hand, Gibbs' Hendrick teammate, Kyle Larson, has continued to thrive in dirt events, winning prestigious races like the Knoxville Nationals. This shows that while there are risks, there are also great rewards for those who dare to take on dirt racing.

The Impact on Drivers

The decision is a welcome one for Christopher Bell, an elite dirt racer who is one of only three people to have won the prestigious Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at least three times. Bell has been sidelined from dirt racing since mid-2022, with the exception of two micro sprint races in May. "I was definitely taken aback by the change in policy," Bell said. "I was extremely shocked, but with Chase coming on board and Ty showing an interest in dirt racing, it's great that the majority of our team is now aligned with it."

Briscoe, who will replace the retiring Martin Truex Jr. next season, also had initial discussions with Gibbs about joining the team. Briscoe is a dirt car owner and has regularly driven on such tracks. Although his schedule will be reduced after the arrival of twins last month, he is excited about the possibility of continuing to race on dirt. "I could tell it wasn't a definite 'no,' but it wasn't something they were overly enthusiastic about at the time," Briscoe said. "It didn't feel like the door was completely shut; there was definitely a chance. And I never imagined that in my first year here, I would still have the opportunity to do dirt racing if I wanted to."

The Benefits of a Dirt Background

Drivers with a dirt background, such as Larson, Bell, Briscoe, and NASCAR regular-season champion Tyler Reddick, possess unique skills that enable them to adapt quickly to changing track conditions. At New Hampshire Motor Speedway this season, when NASCAR used wet weather tires on a rainy day, five of the top seven finishers were drivers with a dirt racing background (with Bell and Briscoe finishing 1-2).

Bell and Briscoe have not yet announced their participation in any upcoming dirt races. Both stated that they have no plans to run the Chili Bowl in January. However, they expressed relief at having the option to do so. Briscoe mentioned the idea of running meaningful races like the BC39 midget event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bell emphasized that driving sprint cars is particularly advantageous for stock car racers.

After all, modern-day NASCAR offers limited practice time and almost no testing. Therefore, the additional seat time gained from dirt racing can "enhance my performance on Sundays," Bell said. "It's refreshing to know that I'll be able to pursue my passion and reconnect with my dirt fan base. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at a dirt track soon."