Richard Childress breaks down why Dale Earnhardt was “never a big fan of” Bristol concrete track

Dale Earnhardt also didn't find the track at Bristol good despite his success there.

Richard Childress breaks down why Dale Earnhardt was “never a big fan of” Bristol concrete track

Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt (Via IMAGO)

The recent NASCAR CUP series race held at Bristol Motor Speedway had a lot of tire degradation that the drivers were complaining about. The combination of Goodyear tire and the resin applied on the track was the reason for the wear. But such extreme tire wear isn’t new to Bristol as the same situation has out many legends of the sport in tough spot in the past.

RCR team owner Richard Childress had something very interesting to story to share on the tire fall of and the track. He claimed that NASCAR legend and Seven-time Champion Dale Earnhardt also was among drivers who didn’t like the concrete track and felt that it was too heavy on tires. The Hall of Fame team boss also revealed that his drivers faced the same issue the most the track back in 1992, a year RCR really struggled.

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I can remember that tire wear was one of our same as we have today. Tire wear was one thing we’re all worried about and Dale was driving the car and he wasn’t a big fan of concrete.
Richard Childress ahead of the Food City 500 race at Bristol

Despite the criticism, Bristol has always been a track where tier wear was a factor. Thats has always been the selling point of the track and the Food Coty 500 race results proved that the same is possible with the right set-ups and combination in the Next-Gen era.

Richard Childress’s reflections on tough times RCR Racing faced back in 1992

The RCR boss also recalled how his team and drivers faced the same tire wear and grip-related issues at the track in Bristol back in the year 1992. Childress revealed how it was pretty difficult for his team to be effective and find the right setup at the track back in the season, where they failed to continue championship winning streak.

Richard Childress
Richard Childress ( Image via IMAGO)
I can tell you 92 wasn’t a good year for us either. You know, we’d won championships in ’90, ’91, ’93, ’94. But you had those off years, but it was different, you know, just like Martinsville where we have concrete today in Dover. It’s a different animal that takes a little different thinking and set up.
Richard Childress said.

The underlying issue that is causing the massive tire fall off seems to be the concrete surface of the track. But, the concrete surface isn’t an issue that needs to be addressed, instead the short track racing’s issue should be discussed. The Food City 500 has proved tier wear is the path forward and now it’s up to NASCAR to make the right call, and find a balanced rubber compound-track and car combination.

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