The race program in Bristol

Fifty-one years later, dirt is back. This Sunday in Bristol, the Cup Series entrants will compete in the first race on clay since 1970 and Richard Petty's victory! Enough to plan a weekend different from what we have had so far this year.

For this test on earth, the Nascar confirmed the return of testing and qualifying previously canceled due to the health crisis except for the Daytona 500 last February. This Friday, the 39 drivers will be able to take their first steps on the Bristol oval thanks to two practice sessions.

MTV Cribs: Bristol Dirt Ed.  #ItsBristolBaby | #ItsDirtBaby pic.twitter.com/kcZ0x3Jpxm

— BristolMotorSpeedway (@BMSupdates) March 26, 2021

To determine the grid for Sunday, four races of fifteen laps each will take place. The starting order of these will be determined by a draw (found at the bottom of the page. Editor's note).

At the finish of these races, points will be distributed to the drivers: 10 for 1st, 9 for 2nd and so on. In addition, the difference, if positive, between the starting and finishing position will earn additional points.

Example: if the 9th on the grid for the qualifying race finishes 5th, he gets 6 points for his final position + 4 for the gap between his starting and finishing position. The total points collected will then determine the grid for the main race on Sunday. The driver who has the most will logically start in the lead. In the event of a tie, the highest ranked in the championship will win.

If a driver finishes beyond their starting position, they will not have points deducted. Please note that yellow flag laps will not count during these qualifying races.

Concerning the main race, 250 laps are on the program spread over three segments: 75, 75 and 100 laps. Refreshments are prohibited during the segments. At the end of these, the positions are fixed and the drivers can then go to the pits to refuel (fuel, tires, adjustments). No change of position is permitted during stops.

As for the cars, they will be specially prepared for this meeting on clay. They will be equipped with a dirt-style rear wing, a more open front grille, a dirt splitter as well as surface tires.

New shoes for the weekend. @GoodyearRacing | #ItsBristolBaby pic.twitter.com/CXWggJQRyf

— BristolMotorSpeedway (@BMSupdates) March 26, 2021

To cover the oval, which is just over 800 meters long, more than 15.000 cubic meters of clay were needed.

Martin Truex Jr. (Joe Gibbs Racing), Ryan Newman (Roush Fenway Racing), Chase Briscoe (Stewart-Haas Racing), Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas Racing) and Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing) are participating in the Truck race this Saturday to prepare for the big meeting. Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports) is the big favorite for the Bristol event.

Race 1

• 1. Quin Houff (StarCom Racing)
• 2. Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports)
• 3. Ryan Newman (Roush Fenway Racing)
• 4. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing)
• 5. Martin Truex Jr. (Joe Gibbs Racing)
• 6. Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing)
• 7. Erik Jones Richard (Petty Motorsports)
• 8. Anthony Alfredo (Front Row Motorsports)
• 9. Shane Golobic (Live Fast Motorsports)
• 10. Kurt Busch (Chip Ganassi Racing)

Race 2

• 1. Brad Keselowski (Team Penske)
• 2. Mike Marlar (Motorsports Business Management)
• 3. Daniel Suarez (Trackhouse Racing Team)
• 4. Michael McDowell (Front Row Motorsports)
• 5. Josh Bilicki (Rick Ware Racing)
• 6. William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports)
• 7. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (JTG Daugherty Racing)
• 8. Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing)
• 9. Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing)
• 10. Chris Buescher (Roush Fenway Racing)

Race 3

• 1. Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports)
• 2. JJ Yeley (Rick Ware Racing)
• 3. Ty Dillon (Gaunt Brothers Racing)
• 4. Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas Racing)
• 5. Tyler Reddick (Richard Childress Racing)
• 6. Cole Custer (Stewart-Haas Racing)
• 7. Cody Ware (Petty Ware Racing)
• 8. Aric Almirola (Stewart-Haas Racing)
• 9. Joey Logano (Team Penske)
• 10. Ryan Preece (JTG Daugherty Racing)

Race 4

• 1. Corey LaJoie (Spire Motorsports)
• 2. Matt DiBenedetto (Wood Brothers Racing)
• 3. Chris Windom (Rick Ware Racing)
• 4. Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing)
• 5. Ross Chastain (Chip Ganassi Racing)
• 6. Stewart Friesen (Spire Motorsports)
• 7. Ryan Blaney (Team Penske)
• 8. Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports)
• 9. Chase Briscoe (Stewart-Haas Racing)

Here's a look at #BristolDirt 

Throwback to the Bristol Dirt Nationals! Ready to be back @BMSupdates #A_SHOCenergy pic.twitter.com/ZhqO3qiZjF

— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) March 25, 2021