BRISTOL – April 9, 2023 – Anthony Holbrook
The NASCAR Cup Series traveled to Thunder Valley for the Third Annual Food City Dirt Race hosted by Bristol Motor Speedway. This event will be the 7 th points scheduled race of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Season.
The dirt surface/compound provided less traction than a traditional concrete or asphalt trackand presented different challenges in terms of managing the tires. Tire tread display a block pattern to present a tighter traction for racing.
All eyes were set on 2021 First Annual Dirt Cup Race Winner Joey Logano and expectation of a 2nd sword of the weekend festivities following up a stellar performance in the Craftsman Dirt race, Saturday night.
As the Heat Races set the starting lineup Kyle Larson and Austin Dillion occupy the front row and will roll lead the field to green.
Bristol Speedway will utilize an Ariel Drone cantilever sign to hoover over a specific track area to assist drivers declaring their lane selection.
Food City Dirt Race – Recap:
Stage 1
Kyle Larson continue to highlight his dirt track experience guiding the path.
Caution flags are introduced early in Stage1 as drivers attempt to follow the tracks of the previous Cup race winner Larson.
Notable drivers Joey Logano, Erik Jones, Corey Lajoie, Denny Hamlin traction issues hamper any positive Stage 1 finish.
Kyle Larson wins his 2nd Stage of the 2023 Nascar Cup Series Campaign.
Food City Dirt Race – Results
Stage 1
1. Kyle Larson
2. Austin Dillon
3. Kyle Busch
4. Ryan Preece
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Christopher Bell
7. Chase Briscoe
8. Tyler Reddick
9. Justin Haley
10. William Byron
Food City Dirt Race – Recap:
Stage 2
Drivers continue to lose control almost effortless as teams are collected by cars of less traction. Brad Keselowski and Erik Jones among the hopeful drivers who encounters handling issues only to invite a Stage of caution flags.
Tyler Reddick threads the needle, muscling past Austin Dillion and 2022 Cup Dirt Race winner Kyle Bush to regain the lead as 15 laps remain. Tyler Reddick sets his marks for other contenders to match in route to claim Stage 2 honors.
Food City Dirt Race – Results
Stage 2
1. Tyler Reddick
2. Austin Dillon
3. Kyle Larson
4. Christopher Bell
5. Kyle Busch
6. Chase Briscoe
7. Martin Truex Jr
8. Ryan Blaney
9. Justin Haley
10. Aric Almirola
Food City Dirt Race – Results
Final Stage
Christopher Bell along with Dirt-Ringers’ Chase Briscoe and Tyler Redick ride the rim, leading the field as 33 circuits remain.
Favoring a hand injury, Chase Briscoe relinquishes his runner up spot to an aggressive Tyler Reddick.
Christopher Bell opens up a comfortable lead as laps begin to dwindling down. Tyler Reddick pulls within a car-length of Bell in attempt to challenge for the win.
Unfortunately, Tyler Reddick’s quest for Checkers runs out of time and real-estate.
Christopher Bell emerges to win his first Bristol Cup Dirt Race while a melee of crashes behind the leaders shake up the finishing order after the Tennessee Dust settles.
Food City Dirt Race – Results
Final Stage (starting position in parentheses)
1. Christopher Bell
2. Tyler Reddick
3. Austin Dillon
4. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
5. Chase Briscoe
6. Justin Haley
7. Martin Truex Jr
8. Todd Gilliland
9. Kevin Harvick
10. Michael McDowell
11. Ty Gibbs
12. Bubba Wallace
13. William Byron
14. Erik Jones
15. Harrison Burton
16. AJ Allmendinger
17. Brad Keselowski
18. Chris Buescher
19. Austin Cindric
20. JJ Yeley
21. Ty Dillon
22. Denny Hamlin
23. Ryan Blaney
24. Ryan Preece
25. Daniel Suarez
26. BJ McLeod
27. Josh Berry
28. Ross Chastain
29. Alex Bowman
30. Corey LaJoie
31. Aric Almirola
32. Kyle Busch
33. Noah Gragson
34. Matt Crafton
35. Kyle Larson
36. Jonathan Davenport
37. Joey Logano
NASCAR Cup Series Teams continues the short track swing finishing up at the Paperclip for the NOCO 400 hosted by Martinsville Speedway.
Sunday April 16, 2023
3:00 p.m. EST
FS1 MRN/Siris XM Radio 90
