The last time BMS was covered in dirt was in 2001
Many in the racing world have been excited ever since it was announced that the half-mile concrete surface of the Bristol Motor Speedway would be covered with dirt for the purpose of allowing that track to host the first NASCAR Cup Series race contested on a clay surface since the early 1970s. Many more were also excited to hear that for the first time since the early 2000s, true dirt racing machines would also be able to compete on the high-banked facility located in the upper northeastern corner of Tennessee.
Unfortunately, there was a significant problem, particularly for Dirt Late Model fans in east Tennessee. The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series were then slated to sanction races following the NASCAR shows. The dates of April 9th and 10th were set aside for that national touring series to take on the historic track for features that would dole out $10,000-to-win on the first night then $25,000-to-win in the finale.
The problem lay in the timing of those events. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series was also scheduled to race in east Tennessee on April 9th at the 411 Motor Speedway less than two hours away in Seymour, TN. That national touring series would then move on to Alabama’s Talladega Short Track on the following day.
Fans in east Tennessee were going to be forced to choose between the two on that Friday night.
However, an announcement made on Friday(Feb. 19) by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has remedied the situation. The races originally set for 411 and Talladega have been moved to the weekend of May 14th(411) and 15th(Talladega). Those two shows will offer purses of $12,000 and $15,000 for the winners respectively.
The move will also free up Lucas Oil regulars to race at Bristol. The WoO Late Models will be notifying those who will be racing in their invitation-only affair soon(if not already). The schedule change will no doubt allow that series to include some of those star competitors from the other series.
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