The "New" old Bristol will be......

[Nextelracer]

I still love how people think every "old" Bristol race was a wreckfest.

This.

The people that say "OMG 75 CAUTIONZ" are just being a little ignorant. Sure, there WERE wreckfests at the old Bristol, but there was also good racing, too. No use in putting every single Bristol race ever run under one blanket of mediocrity. It probably won't be THAT much different anyway, because the bumpers line up nowadays so it will definitely be harder to just "dump & run" people than it used to be.

However, I never thought the double-file chain-gang racing of the new Bristol worked well. Sure, 2nd+ would always be side by side...while the leader drove off and left the field. I like the fight for the lead, more intense and it actually means something. So, I'm definitely mega excited to see the "good" version of Bristol back.

[atruebudfan]

500 laps of single file racing. Can't wait.

[Smokey420]

Eh, either way I'll watch. I enjoyed both configurations.

[Matito29]

I'm going to assume that all the people who decried the old Bristol weren't excited when its two races came around.

[Chris Owens]

500 laps of single file racing. Can't wait.

We could say the same thing about every other race that isn't a restrictor plate race.

[AMNJG24F]

Yes, because the old Bristol was god awful racing with a million cautions and absolutely no passing.

Give me a freaking break.

[JCTay]

I mean...how can anyone NOT miss the drama we used to see twice a year with the best drivers? :p

Call me a guy who enjoys wrecks, not a real fan, whatever..but I never missed a Bristol race for how entertaining and unpredictable the races were! I know it'll be the night race thus meaning better ticket sales, but I really expect a near sell-out this August with the mix of both worlds now. I really don't think it'll be all single file racing..there's still a middle groove which might be the preferred line idk, its going to be interesting.

[lefflerfan]

Well, just got a ticket for the race. I promised (myself, of course) that I would "put my money where my mouth is" and attend if they changed the track to my liking. I am so psyched to go in August.

Also, let's not forget that there was a second groove before the progressive banking. It usually took about half the race, though, to come in. I remember Earnhardt flying by cars by riding the outside groove. It was possible.

Jeez, seriously... I cannot wait. There will be detractors - and that's okay. Disagreements make things interesting.

[pjb4466]

I'm going to assume that all the people who decried the old Bristol weren't excited when its two races came around.

Seriously... I don't think I ever heard one person say "Oh no, Bristol is next week" before around 2010...

[wdnewberry]

I for one am very excited to see how this coming race will turnout. While I enjoyed the racing we saw at Bristol over the last few years, I must admit that during the middle stages of the races, I got bored. Of course, if there are a rash of cautions from wrecked racecars because the guys can't pass, then I may again get bored. But either way, it should be exciting to see which way things fall.

[atruebudfan]

We could say the same thing about every other race that isn't a restrictor plate race.

Guess we watched different races because I saw side by side racing pretty much every lap. Great side by side racing for many laps at a time for position.

[Sandeep Banerjee]

Onboard lap with Clint on the new Bristol surface. You can see quite clearly what will probably be the primary groove now, half a lane off bottom.

Link

[Nitrous56]

Onboard lap with Clint on the new Bristol surface. You can see quite clearly what will probably be the primary groove now, half a lane off bottom.

Link

And when anyone leaves that half a lane open on the bottom.. things are gonna get interesting.

[powersteamracing]

500 laps of single file racing. Can't wait.

To be fair, ALOT of short tracks across america have single file racing. I found martinsville used to be really bad for that. Still kinda is, but as I became a bigger race fan I didn't mind.

Don't get me wrong, I like side by side racing. But there is a difference between A: side by side because one guy got loose, or one guy is just too stubborn to give up a spot, and B: side by side racing because there is a passing lane. yeah, i know you needed to have your car working to use a different lane and make it work in the first place. But progressive banking serves one purpose, to create another lane for racing/passing. To me, progressive banking usually equals a slot car effect. Which is generally ok on larger tracks (Homestead), but on a short track, it's out of place. Build a new short track with progressive banking, fine, but don't change bristol to progressive banking, then try to sell it as the old bristol. If we should have just accepted changing bristol to progressive banking, then the idea of bulldozing Talladega or Daytona and making them something different shouldn't be off the table aswell, then try to advertise a new, 2 mile flat daytona as pack racing, that'll work. lol

Unfortunetly, I think we're in for pack racing on a smaller scale. with only 2 lanes, we now have the same number of cars fighting for one fewer lanes on the track. It will probably provide "multi groove racing" in some areas, and in others someone will get upset, boot someone else, and a pileup will ensue.

IMO, if they can't just get the old blueprints and build the track like it was before progressive banking, then just change the name, brand it as "superspeedway racing, short track style", and start looking for a new short track on the schedule.

again, just my opinion

[00StangGT]

And when anyone leaves that half a lane open on the bottom.. things are gonna get interesting.

[Mike Lala]

I mean...how can anyone NOT miss the drama we used to see twice a year with the best drivers? :p

Call me a guy who enjoys wrecks, not a real fan, whatever..but I never missed a Bristol race for how entertaining and unpredictable the races were! I know it'll be the night race thus meaning better ticket sales, but I really expect a near sell-out this August with the mix of both worlds now. I really don't think it'll be all single file racing..there's still a middle groove which might be the preferred line idk, its going to be interesting.

Meh. Y'know this video did bring back alot of memories. As fun as it was to watch 3 wide racing at Bristol, the 90's and early 2000's for Bristol were obviously the best, at least atmosphere and drama wise. Racing wise not so much but hey it is fun to watch someone bump a guy for the win. Not many drivers will do that anymore.. Its to disrespectful to do so anymore in NASCAR.... derp

[Stevie Richards]

Old Bristol was good, but I preferred new Bristol. I'm going to laugh if "new old Bristol" is single file racing with no bumping.

[Mike Lala]

The drivers have been so kind this year its a bit weird. I feel like during some races I'm watching F1 because the drivers are either so respectful to one another or their scared if they make an aggressive move it'll cause an uproar lol. Like there driving so hard until they catch a guy and then they work and work to pass them clean (Which is fine and all) but it seems nobody other than a few want to... Win. Joey Logano showed he wanted to WIN last week with a bump to Mark, Kyle and Kurt Busch both show that weekly. Tony Stewart does on occasion now and then but other than a few no guys like to use their bumpers anymore. Not sure what the reason is but who knows. If it does indeed end up being a race like Stevie said, I'll probably laugh myself. Laugh at the fans who cry and whine about everything and once something gets changed for them they hat that too lol.

[JCTay]

I don't think anyone is banking on this year's Bristol night race to be the best ever race at the track..if we do have single file racing with little drama then like mentioned above.. it wouldn't be a surprise since the drivers and races have been unusually tamed this year. It will sure be better than the last couple of Bristol races though I bet. Also, i'll requote the fact that not every Bristol race was a wreckfest, Its just now the opportunity of classic Bristol is there and now the track has character again.

[Smokey420]

Honestly, I think this Bristol race will be a place for alot of contact. Perfect opportunity for guys to pay someone back, after all drivers do have good memories.