Bubba Wallace Reveals Drivers Were Told NASCAR “Is an Entertainment Business,” Wants Bristol to Go Back to Concrete

Bubba Wallace recently spoke with media before a race and revealed that NASCAR officials informed drivers that racing is first and foremost an entertainment business. Additionally, Wallace shared his thoughts that the Bristol dirt race is a novelty that’s been overdone and needs to return to a standard concrete track.

Wallace said, “I’m ready for it to go back. I feel like it’s run its course, honestly. It’s fun. It’s exciting. First couple of laps it was like, ‘Oh okay,’ but — I don’t know, man. I think we’re trying to chase something that is…”

He went on to say that after certain driver’s concerns were dismissed, they were told by NASCAR officials that this is simply an entertainment business and the fans want the novelty of dirt racing. This was confirmed by Brad Keselowski, who believes that the fans are the ones that ultimately dictate what is popular and what will remain. Keselowski also indicated that special racing events like this lose relevance after the novelty wears off, and it’s time to do something fresh and new.

Wallace also expressed his belief that dirt racing does not belong in the NASCAR Cup Series, and that it’s all just a gimmick. In his opinion, the fans do not want to see cup cars racing on dirt, as it does not feel right. He respects what dirt drivers are able to do and has a lot of fun on dirt, but he believes that it’s time to return to traditional concrete tracks.

When asked what he thought of Wallace’s comments, Kyle Busch opined that he enjoys dirt racing and thinks it’s fun but that it should be reserved for dirt-specific cars rather than cup cars. Busch believes that cup cars don’t belong on dirt tracks and NASCAR could instead organize racing events featuring dirt-specific vehicles for added excitement.

Whether dirt track racing will remain a feature of the NASCAR Cup Series in the future is still not clear. However, Wallace’s comments and those of other drivers suggest that the trend may end as fans and drivers eventually become bored of the gimmick.