NASCAR’s Road to Fame: How Dirt Racing Shapes Stock Car Success Amid Next Gen Challenges
When Martin Truex Jr. stepped away from the cockpit in 2024, Joe Gibbs Racing wasn’t sweating it. The legendary team owner brought in Chase Briscoe to take over the No. 19 Toyota, and within just one season, the move has paid off spectacularly. Briscoe racked up two wins, 17 top-ten finishes, and 13 top-fives—making him a serious contender for the championship. But here’s the twist: his impressive performance might owe more to his dirt track beginnings than his current NASCAR experience.
Chase Briscoe is proof that dirt racing isn't just a quaint starting point—it's a crucial foundation. Since joining Joe Gibbs Racing, the team even loosened restrictions on weekday dirt track racing to support Briscoe’s roots. But this isn’t just a fun backstory; NASCAR legend Ken Schrader recently opened up about why dirt racing is fundamental for mastering stock car racing, especially as drivers grapple with the complexities of today’s Next Gen cars.
The Gritty Dirt Road to NASCAR Stardom
Ken Schrader is a beloved figure in NASCAR, with nearly three decades in the Cup Series and four career wins. What’s remarkable is that even at 69 years old, he ran 64 races in the 2024 season, showing no signs of slowing down. His journey began on Missouri’s dirt tracks, where he honed his skills and won titles like the 1982 USAC Silver Crown Series championship. Schrader’s candid insight reveals, “You learn a lot on the dirt,” but cautions it’s tough to overcome ingrained habits when switching to asphalt racing.
Chase Briscoe’s path mirrors Schrader’s. Starting out sprint car racing on the rough, rugged tracks of Indiana, Briscoe experienced the kind of challenging conditions that build exceptional car control. Schrader even mentioned he would have taken his own son Sheldon down the same route if he had shown interest in racing, emphasizing the value of learning across different surfaces: “You start him out on the asphalt, get him running on some dirt, get some laps, learn some different things about car control.”
This dual-discipline approach isn’t just a nostalgic preference—it’s a practical roadmap. Briscoe’s ability to transfer those skills to NASCAR’s Next Gen cars, which have proved frustrating for many drivers, underscores the advantage of his dirt-racing DNA. Schrader shared a telling conversation where Briscoe noted that while Next Gen cars might not handle smoothly, they make up for it with speed, reflecting the gritty reality of racing these innovative vehicles.
NASCAR’s flirtation with dirt tracks isn’t new either. From 2021 to 2023, races at Bristol’s dirt configuration captured fans’ imaginations, and the Eldora Dirt Derby in the Truck Series was a staple from 2013 to 2019. Briscoe is vocal about wanting more dirt racing on the calendar, noting that drivers grew up specializing on different surfaces—road courses, short tracks, or dirt—and that embracing all formats could enrich the sport.
A Bitter Dose of Reality
Despite an electric start with Joe Gibbs Racing, Briscoe’s momentum hit a snag. After sweeping the playoff opener with a win at Darlington and blazing through five races with an average finish of 5.2, his streak ended at the Charlotte Roval. Battling nausea mid-race, he had to ask his crew for medication and received an ice pack to cool down. He finished 14th, breaking his top-ten streak but still managing to edge out competitors Joey Logano and Ross Chastain for a spot in the Round of 8.
Briscoe’s candid pre-race goals expressed a smart understanding of the playoff grind: “If we can go and outrun them in both stages and the race, then we can move on no matter what… But it all comes back down to the regular season and not performing in the first half of the season to get all the stage points and playoff points to put ourselves in a better position.”
What This Means for NASCAR’s Future
The influence of dirt racing on Briscoe’s success is undeniable and raises a fascinating question: Should more NASCAR drivers follow this rugged path? It challenges the traditional asphalt-focused development model and suggests that mastering multiple surfaces can better prepare drivers for the evolving challenges of stock car racing.
But here’s where it gets controversial—does NASCAR’s push toward Next Gen cars diminish the importance of traditional driving skills nurtured on dirt? Could an overemphasis on technology and speed overshadow the finesse and adaptability that dirt racing teaches?
Ken Schrader and Chase Briscoe’s stories invite us to rethink the best way to develop racing talent in today’s NASCAR world. Will we see a resurgence of dirt track racing within the sport? Or is this nostalgic dream out of touch with modern racing realities?
What do you think? Is dirt racing essential for creating future NASCAR champions, or is it just a romanticized element of the past? Share your thoughts below—do you agree or disagree with this dirt-to-asphalt philosophy in shaping stock car greatness?
