Known as The Last Great Colosseum, Bristol Motor Speedway's stadium-like structure serves as a versatile multi-use venue that hosts major auto races, football games, concerts and many other captivating events.

8 to 10 feet Four layers of clay were laid down atop a sawdust base by bulldozers and graders guided by a GPS system accurate to within five-hundredths of an inch. Bristol's signature 24- to 30-degree high banks have been cut to 19 degrees via 8 to 10 feet of fill dirt.

Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking, an all-concrete surface, two pit roads, different turn radii, and stadium-like seating.

0.533 miles Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol covered its high-banked track in dirt for its spring race beginning in 2021 in hopes of creating an event that would increase attendance and TV ratings. The race was shown in primetime on Easter Sunday this season.

While Formula 1 will never be as rugged a sport as NASCAR, NASCAR can't compete with the international prestige that Formula 1 offers. Furthermore, unlike NASCAR, Formula 1's attempt at broadening appeal has been wildly successful.

But Bristol is one of NASCAR's crown jewel racetracks, the signature “Last Great Colosseum” where the racing is typically compelling. Having only one “real” race per year at Bristol (the annual Night Race, which occurs again Saturday night) is not enough and it didn't make sense to cover a terrific track with dirt.

Eldora Speedway The '411' on The World's Greatest Dirt Track. Eldora Speedway is a half-mile dirt racing facility located in western Ohio. The 'Big E' is owned by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, Tony Stewart. The Indiana native purchased Eldora from legendary promotor Earl Baltes in 2004.

NASCAR's controversial Bristol dirt track race won't return in 2024: Will there ever be another? Bristol Motor Speedway will drop its controversial NASCAR dirt race and return to two concrete track races next season, the track announced Friday.

The cars' weight also works against them in terms of outright top speed. The current top speeds recorded in NASCAR are around 321km/h, quite a bit slower than F1 and IndyCar. NASCAR also has a slower acceleration time, going from 0-96km/h in around 3.4 seconds.

Outside the U.S., Formula One is undeniably more popular than NASCAR. In the 2022 season, NASCAR averaged over three million viewers per race, the most they've had in four years. Meanwhile, the 2021 Formula 1 season saw an average of 70 million viewers per race.

Drivers must know when to point the front tires away from the turn, instead of into it, waiting for the rear end to come around, ready to follow. Bristol dirt laps should run around 7 seconds and 37 mph slower than the 14.8-second, 129 mph concrete pace.