ESPN's David Newton is reporting that multiple sources are hinting that a dirt track race could find its way into the 2013 Truck Series schedule. Other rumors were that a Richard Childress truck might have tested at the track either Monday or (yesterday) Tuesday (10-16-12)
Nobody is commenting from either organization about this, but this rumor is a juicy thought indeed.
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NASCAR returning to a dirt venue is long overdue. The last NASCAR dirt track race took place in September of 1970 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh in North Carolina. You'll never guess who won that one... Richard Petty.
As it stands, this would be an incredible venue to add to the Truck Series schedule and would be one hell of a draw. The annual Eldora event, the Prelude to the Dream, is a big draw for many kinds of drivers and fans alike. If this comes to be, the questions that come up include will it only be Truck Series drivers? Or Will others try to compete? Would that be allowed by NASCAR?
And will this start a possible new trend? Will they need safer barriers and some of the other installed safety gear we see at other NASCAR raced tracks?
As it stands, the business structure of NASCAR would probably NOT permit a dirt race for the Cup series, but the truck series has options. And this is a great option! Did you know that the ARCA series already runs a few dirt venues each season?
Eldora is owned by Tony Stewart. (And yes, they have timing loops.) The 2013 Truck Series schedule is expected to come out in the next couple of weeks.
Does this sound awesome?
[espn]
Bruce,
ReplyDeleteI was reading some of the same info, and being a "dirt dude",going to many sprint car races, modified races, etc., I find the idea of the Truck series racing on dirt to be outstanding! As you mentioned ARCA runs 2 or 3 races on the mile dirt tracks at Du Quoin and one other track.
Trucks on dirt us something that could be really cool! Sign me up coach!!