The NASCAR crowd recently bid adieu to Bristol, marking the conclusion of the playoffs round of 16. The 2023 playoffs’ first elimination round saw the dreams of four drivers mercilessly shattered, including a past champion and the reigning NASCAR Cup titleholder, undoubtedly a bitter pill for Roger Penske.

As we transition into the playoffs’ round of 12, the news of the Bristol dirt race’s cancellation for spring 2024 looms large. Surprisingly, this news was met with no mourning. The dirt race was a rare point of unanimous agreement among fans, pundits, and drivers, who seemed to share a mutual disdain for the event. With this contentious event now off the calendar, the NASCAR crowd has turned its attention to the recent Bristol fall race on the concrete oval, delivering a resounding and unforgiving judgment.

From dirt to disdain – NASCAR fans’ dueling sentiments

2021, NASCAR embarked on a bold experiment to inject new excitement into its races, which had been grappling with dwindling viewership. After a 50-year hiatus, NASCAR reintroduced dirt track racing. It was an idea that had the potential to revitalize the sport, but the execution left much to be desired. Rather than choosing an established dirt track venue, NASCAR took a peculiar route by dumping a staggering 23,000 cubic yards of dirt onto the Bristol concrete track and calling it a day. The inaugural race was marred by chaos due to rain delays, and both drivers and fans didn’t hold back in their criticism of NASCAR’s decision.

2022, NASCAR seemed determined to stoke more controversy by scheduling the race on Easter Sunday, a day observed as a holiday for three decades. Over the course of three years of racing on the Bristol dirt, there were improvements in the quality of racing, and the 2023 event did receive some positive feedback. However, the consensus remained clear—it was a widely despised addition to the NASCAR calendar.

As NASCAR bids farewell to the Bristol dirt race for the upcoming season, fans are simultaneously revisiting their contempt for the recent Bristol oval race. Bristol, known for its shorter track length, high speeds, and extreme banking, has a reputation for being challenging to drivers in terms of overtaking.The lead driver often enjoys a significant advantage, even in a less competitive car. However, “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile” track failed to live up to fan expectations, and it faced a torrent of criticism from disappointed fans over the lackluster showdown.

Fan fury ignites following disappointing Bristol outing

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When fans were asked about their thoughts on the recent Bristol race, their responses reflected a passionate and largely discontented sentiment.

One fan expressed the need for a middle-ground option, stating, “It needs a meh option.”

Others went further to criticize the event, with one fan comparing it unfavorably to the Xfinity race, “No, compared to the Xfinity race, it was a massive letdown,”

Another dismissed it as far from decent, saying, “Definitely not, you guys are wild for thinking it was even decent”

Even assigning it a negligible rating, declaring, “1/10, would not watch again.”

The dissatisfaction extended to the perceived lack of action, with a fan highlighting the absence of tire strategy, stating, “No, just felt like there was little in the way of action/battles even mid-pack and tire strategy was non-existent.”

The introduction of new cars drew criticism, with one fan opining that “The new cars have made short tracks boring.”

“Don’t Want Any More of It” – HMS Insider Slams NASCAR’s Controversial Bristol Decision

The sentiment among fans was divided, with some expressing nostalgia for the dirt race and disappointment that it wouldn’t be returning, “I thought the dirt race in the spring was better. Bummed they’re not bringing it back.”

However, others were less hopeful about the future, believing that the current car’s performance on short tracks leaves much to be desired. One fan asserted, “Nope, car continues to suck on short tracks and will until NASCAR admits failure and makes major changes.”

Another expressed their frustration, revealing, “Boring. Short tracks are terrible with this car. I didn’t even finish watching; I was so not entertained.”

Furthermore, some fans went as far as to assert that the Xfinity Series had surpassed the Cup Series in terms of excitement, with one declaring, “Xfinity series is superior to Cup series right now.”

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With the Bristol dirt race now in the rearview mirror and off the calendar, what are your thoughts on the Bristol shenanigans? Comment and let us know.