The three-division four-wide salute(Photo: World of Outlaws)
While it may not be a crown jewel, the World Finals is one of the coolest events in all of dirt racing. Three of the sport’s top divisions in action at the same track during the same weekend makes for a great experience for those in attendance, those watching from afar, and for those competing. This Friday and Saturday, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series, and the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series will be in competition at ‘The Dirt Track at Charlotte’ in season finale races for each of those classes.
Many of racing’s most recognizable names will be a part of the show held in the shadow of NASCAR’s Charlotte Motor Speedway. An electric atmosphere typically accompanies this event which takes place on the first weekend in November each year. And the event is highlighted by a four-wide salute to the fans involving all three divisions simultaneously which is combined with an impressive pyrotechnic show.
The World Finals is a must-see event for any fan of this form of motorsports.
Now it looks as if there might very well be another opportunity for fans to take in such an event, at least in a somewhat similar fashion. The plan is for two of those divisions to again appear in the same location on the same weekend at one of racing’s celebrated facilities.
As was the case earlier this year, the half-mile concrete surface of Bristol Motor Speedway will be covered in clay next spring so that NASCAR can conduct races on a dirt surface. Along with that, the high-banked track will also be made available for other forms of racing as well. Among those will be the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. But unlike 2021 when the two divisions raced separately, the World Racing Group has scheduled a weekend in which their two high-profile classifications of race cars will be in east Tennessee at the same time.
The ‘Bristol Bash’ is scheduled to take place in late April of 2022 with a practice session slated for Thursday, April 28 then two separate racing programs set for the following Friday and Saturday.
The anticipation was high for any sort of dirt racing to return to Bristol for the first time in two decades so there was not so much need for cross promotion. Coming back for a second year and with plans for the Karl Kustoms Bristol Dirt Nationals to be expanded in 2022, doing something a bit different was almost a necessity for the World of Outlaws. Essentially adding a second World Finals to the schedule certainly fits that bill.
Of course, part of the appeal for the World Finals is that it brings the curtain down on the season. But anytime Late Models and Sprint Cars are in the same place at the same time is a good time.
But for now, this weekend’s NGK NTK World Finals are the top priority. Check in to InsideDirtRacing.com throughout the weekend for live updates and feature stories from ‘The Dirt Track at Charlotte’.
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