Let’s Meet the Bristol Dirt Ringers

Like road courses, NASCAR events on dirt tracks bring competitors not regularly associated with asphalt stock car racing.

It is hard to believe that NASCAR is celebrating 10 years of revived dirt racing, as it was 2013 when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rolled into the legendary Eldora Speedway, ending a 43-year absence with the sport not having a dirt event.

It has proven common over the last decade for team owners to seek highly successful competitors from professional dirt series around the country for these infrequent events as many believe they have an advantage over the NASCAR regulars who primarily compete on asphalt ovals and not small dirt tracks.

Thus, in the decade since NASCAR’s triumphant dirt return, we’ve seen legendary dirt aces like National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Scott Bloomquist, ten-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz and USAC Triple Crown champion Chris Windom go to-wheel-to-wheel with stock car racing’s best.

As NASCAR heads to the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Track this weekend, there is a smaller number of dirt ringers than in years past. Yet, of the ones that are here, there is plenty of accolades on their resumes.

So let’s get you up to speed on who these unfamiliar names are …

Jonathan Davenport

Surprisingly, Jonathan Davenport will be the only dirt ringer in the NASCAR Cup Series event this weekend, as the rest on this list will compete in the Craftsman Truck Series race.

Davenport is a 39-year-old Blairsville, Georgia, native, and is a three-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion. Davenport has also found victory lane a whopping five times in the World 100, one of the biggest annual dirt events in the country held every year at Eldora.

Other accolades include a Knoxville Nationals win, the 2022 Eldora Million crown, a victory in the 2015 Dirt Late Model Dream and three victories in the USA Nationals.

Davenport attempted to qualify for the first NASCAR race back on dirt in 2013 but missed the cut. This year, Davenport is guaranteed a make his Cup debut as he’ll drive the No. 13 Chevrolet Camaro for Kaulig Racing.

He’ll also pilot the No. 7 entry for Spire Motorsports in the Truck series this weekend, but will likely have to qualify in as the team has little points to ensure his starting spot.