Bristol Dirt Race

What is "slicks off"?

Pretty much what @StandOnIt said. At a typical dirt track program, the track surface starts off "heavy", that is wet, tacky, and with a lot of grip. There is usually one dominant fast line somewhere in the middle of the track, and not much variation in how anyone drives it. As the night progresses, the main groove or "cushion" gets pushed up the track toward the wall, and the bulk of the track becomes harder packed, more dry, and more slick. Driver ability and setup knowledge become more important at this point.

However, as the surface continues to deteriorate, it can become too dry, abrasive, and start to take rubber, which just creates a different sort of one-groove track. It's a delicate balance.
 
Last edited:
I wonder if King Richard will be there since he stated that dirt racing wasn't professional.
I would think they would want to interview him. He is the only one around who drove a stock car back in the day on dirt. Probably not if he is going to whine about it, but I would like to hear some of his stories about it.
 
1615343735835.png

It was “the end of an era,” says Richard Petty, a man who has seen an era or two slide by during his day.
“It was just a rough old dirt track where all they had done was run horses around it,” Petty said of the Home State 200 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, N.C. on Sept. 30, 1970.
Horse power meets horsepower.
“I remember some guy going into the first corner there, they had horse barns on the outside of the race track, something happened to one of the cars and he went tearing off and landed in one of the horse barns,” said Petty. “Luckily, there weren’t any horses in them. You remember stuff like that.”
 
View attachment 54406
It was “the end of an era,” says Richard Petty, a man who has seen an era or two slide by during his day.
“It was just a rough old dirt track where all they had done was run horses around it,” Petty said of the Home State 200 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, N.C. on Sept. 30, 1970.
Horse power meets horsepower.
“I remember some guy going into the first corner there, they had horse barns on the outside of the race track, something happened to one of the cars and he went tearing off and landed in one of the horse barns,” said Petty. “Luckily, there weren’t any horses in them. You remember stuff like that.”
I worked in a shop located on that property back in 2001. Was at work there when 9/11 happened. First words out of bosses mouth was "this is really gonna kill business". Not one bit of care for how many people died. He was a douche. I left there shortly after. Some of the track was still there in the woods. Plus some of a wall.
 
Are the cup cars gonna have screens on the front like that pic of pettys?
Im curious as to what the cars will look like
I also cant wait for the fox cutaway car to see what they have changed underneath, etc.
 
I would think they would want to interview him. He is the only one around who drove a stock car back in the day on dirt. Probably not if he is going to whine about it, but I would like to hear some of his stories about it.
Super interesting to me....Not even the King is allowed anything other than supporting the narrative. When will they be installing the horse barn?
 
Super interesting to me....Not even the King is allowed anything other than supporting the narrative. When will they be installing the horse barn?

Agree. They likely don't want to interview him (or allow him to be interviewed on this topic) because they are afraid of what he will say, given that he said it's not professional etc.
 
Agree. They likely don't want to interview him (or allow him to be interviewed on this topic) because they are afraid of what he will say, given that he said it's not professional etc.
I would like to hear more about what he has to say frankly.
 
Are the cup cars gonna have screens on the front like that pic of pettys?
Im curious as to what the cars will look like
I also cant wait for the fox cutaway car to see what they have changed underneath, etc.
Fox hasn't updated those cutaway graphics in years. I doubt they'll commission any new ones for a single race.
 
I am excited for Bristol Dirt!


If you're excitement is based on that video, you will be disappointed. The Cup cars won't drive anything like a real dirt car. I think it will be a bigger spectacle than it will be a good race.
 
If you're excitement is based on that video, you will be disappointed. The Cup cars won't drive anything like a real dirt car. I think it will be a bigger spectacle than it will be a good race.
It depends on who is watching. I expect the peanut gallery for the most part to be insulted, but most fans will enjoy it for what it is, an experiment in something different
 
If you're excitement is based on that video, you will be disappointed. The Cup cars won't drive anything like a real dirt car. I think it will be a bigger spectacle than it will be a good race.

I plan on watching the NASCAR race as well as the WoO and DirtCar race at Bristol Dirt.
 
I have zero expectations for this race. I'll consider it a failure personally if I find myself wishing they'd run Daytona or Talladega instead.
 
NASCAR usually tests something this big before they commit to a big change like this. I have to admit I'm on the skeptical side. I will be tuning in (with interest) to see how it works. I wonder how many drivers have a dirt background these days.
 
If you're excitement is based on that video, you will be disappointed. The Cup cars won't drive anything like a real dirt car. I think it will be a bigger spectacle than it will be a good race.
Mercifully, the Cup cars won't be nearly as fugly as those things.

3 or 4 inches of stagger would be nice. Raise the ride height, soften the springs and get on the phone to your shock supplier for valving recommendations. They'll be fine.
 
Mercifully, the Cup cars won't be nearly as fugly as those things.

3 or 4 inches of stagger would be nice. Raise the ride height, soften the springs and get on the phone to your shock supplier for valving recommendations. They'll be fine.
Yeah that is one thing good about it, they won't look like they were made out of a box :idunno:
 
Mercifully, the Cup cars won't be nearly as fugly as those things.

3 or 4 inches of stagger would be nice. Raise the ride height, soften the springs and get on the phone to your shock supplier for valving recommendations. They'll be fine.
Maybe tack an 8' sheet of Lexan to the left side? #runwhatchabrung
 
Mercifully, the Cup cars won't be nearly as fugly as those things.

3 or 4 inches of stagger would be nice. Raise the ride height, soften the springs and get on the phone to your shock supplier for valving recommendations. They'll be fine.

Ooooh I like the sound of that. When I pass I want Aunty to give the eulogy
 
I hope I am wrong , but I got a feeling the dust cloud may be a bit distracting.
All those cars, and all those laps. Its not like its going to be a 40 lap feature with 3 or 4 cautions.

It will be different and that will keep me interested.....I hope.
 
I hope I am wrong , but I got a feeling the dust cloud may be a bit distracting.
All those cars, and all those laps. Its not like its going to be a 40 lap feature with 3 or 4 cautions.

It will be different and that will keep me interested.....I hope.
I never thought about the possible dust etc, but this race could go multiple ways tbh. It could either be a one groove bore, or could be a demolition derby or somewhere in between. It should be fun to see though.
 
Back
Top Bottom