The 2022 Food City Dirt Race was a NASCAR Cup Series race held on April 17, 2022, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Contested over 250 laps on the 0.533 miles (0.858 km) short track, it was the ninth race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. Kyle Busch won the race in a last lap pass from 3rd after both Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe both spun battling for the lead. This would turn out to be Busch's last win for Joe Gibbs Racing and the last appearance of the 18 car in victory lane.
Report
[edit]
Background
[edit]The layout of Bristol Motor Speedway, the venue where the race was held.
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway, is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking combined with short length, an all concrete surface, two pit roads, and stadium-like seating.
In 2021, the race shifted to a dirt surface version of the track and was renamed the Food City Dirt Race.[10]
Entry list
[edit]
(R) denotes rookie driver.
(i) denotes driver who is ineligible for series driver points.
No.
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
1
Ross Chastain
Trackhouse Racing Team
Chevrolet
2
Austin Cindric (R)
Team Penske
Ford
3
Austin Dillon
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
4
Kevin Harvick
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
5
Kyle Larson
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
6
Brad Keselowski
RFK Racing
Ford
7
Corey LaJoie
Spire Motorsports
Chevrolet
8
Tyler Reddick
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
9
Chase Elliott
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
10
Aric Almirola
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
11
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
12
Ryan Blaney
Team Penske
Ford
14
Chase Briscoe
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
15
J. J. Yeley (i)
Rick Ware Racing
Ford
16
Noah Gragson (i)
Kaulig Racing
Chevrolet
17
Chris Buescher
RFK Racing
Ford
18
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
19
Martin Truex Jr.
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
20
Christopher Bell
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
21
Harrison Burton (R)
Wood Brothers Racing
Ford
22
Joey Logano
Team Penske
Ford
23
Bubba Wallace
23XI Racing
Toyota
24
William Byron
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
31
Justin Haley
Kaulig Racing
Chevrolet
34
Michael McDowell
Front Row Motorsports
Ford
38
Todd Gilliland (R)
Front Row Motorsports
Ford
41
Cole Custer
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
42
Ty Dillon
Petty GMS Motorsports
Chevrolet
43
Erik Jones
Petty GMS Motorsports
Chevrolet
45
Kurt Busch
23XI Racing
Toyota
47
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
JTG Daugherty Racing
Chevrolet
48
Alex Bowman
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
51
Cody Ware
Rick Ware Racing
Ford
77
Justin Allgaier (i)
Spire Motorsports
Chevrolet
78
Josh Williams (i)
Live Fast Motorsports
Ford
99
Daniel Suárez
Trackhouse Racing Team
Chevrolet
Official entry list
Practice
[edit]
First practice
[edit]
Tyler Reddick was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 20.017 seconds and a speed of 89.924 mph (144.719 km/h).[11]
Pos
No.
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
Time
Speed
1
8
Tyler Reddick
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
20.017
89.924
2
14
Chase Briscoe
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
20.055
89.753
3
18
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
20.068
89.695
Official first practice results
Final practice
[edit]
Denny Hamlin was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 20.638 seconds and a speed of 87.218 mph (140.364 km/h).[12]
Pos
No.
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
Time
Speed
1
11
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
20.638
87.218
2
18
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
20.668
87.091
3
38
Todd Gilliland (R)
Front Row Motorsports
Ford
20.683
87.028
Official final practice results
Qualifying heat races
[edit]
Qualifying race procedure similar to that used by the Chili Bowl qualifying nights and Bryan Clauson Classic. Starting order for heat races based on random draw. Grid determined by a combination of passing points and finishing points. Ties broken by owner points.
Race 1
[edit]
Pos
Grid
No
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
Laps
1
4
8
Tyler Reddick
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
15
2
9
41
Cole Custer
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
15
3
5
48
Alex Bowman
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
15
4
3
6
Brad Keselowski
RFK Racing
Ford
15
5
1
38
Todd Gilliland (R)
Front Row Motorsports
Ford
15
6
6
12
Ryan Blaney
Team Penske
Ford
15
7
8
7
Corey LaJoie
Spire Motorsports
Chevrolet
15
8
7
19
Martin Truex Jr.
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
15
9
2
1
Ross Chastain
Trackhouse Racing Team
Chevrolet
15
Official race one results
Race 2
[edit]
Pos
Grid
No
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
Laps
1
5
20
Christopher Bell
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
15
2
2
18
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
15
3
7
14
Chase Briscoe
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
15
4
3
34
Michael McDowell
Front Row Motorsports
Ford
15
5
8
43
Erik Jones
Petty GMS Motorsports
Chevrolet
15
6
4
77
Justin Allgaier (i)
Spire Motorsports
Chevrolet
15
7
9
99
Daniel Suárez
Trackhouse Racing Team
Chevrolet
15
8
1
4
Kevin Harvick
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
15
9
6
78
Josh Williams (i)
Live Fast Motorsports
Ford
15
Official race two results
Race 3
[edit]
Pos
Grid
No
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
Laps
1
2
31
Justin Haley
Kaulig Racing
Chevrolet
15
2
1
22
Joey Logano
Team Penske
Ford
15
3
4
17
Chris Buescher
RFK Racing
Ford
15
4
6
45
Kurt Busch
23XI Racing
Toyota
15
5
8
3
Austin Dillon
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
15
6
7
23
Bubba Wallace
23XI Racing
Toyota
15
7
3
15
J. J. Yeley (i)
Rick Ware Racing
Ford
15
8
9
16
Noah Gragson (i)
Kaulig Racing
Chevrolet
15
9
5
11
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
15
Official race three results
Race 4
[edit]
Pos
Grid
No
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
Laps
1
2
42
Ty Dillon
Petty GMS Motorsports
Chevrolet
15
2
1
9
Chase Elliott
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
15
3
6
5
Kyle Larson
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
15
4
5
47
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
JTG Daugherty Racing
Chevrolet
15
5
4
24
William Byron
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
15
6
7
2
Austin Cindric (R)
Team Penske
Ford
15
7
9
21
Harrison Burton (R)
Wood Brothers Racing
Ford
15
8
3
10
Aric Almirola
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
15
9
8
51
Cody Ware
Rick Ware Racing
Ford
15
Official race four results
Starting Lineup
[edit]
Pos
No.
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
1
41
Cole Custer
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
2
20
Christopher Bell
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
3
8
Tyler Reddick
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
4
14
Chase Briscoe
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
5
5
Kyle Larson
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
6
31
Justin Haley
Kaulig Racing
Chevrolet
7
42
Ty Dillon
Petty GMS Motorsports
Chevrolet
8
48
Alex Bowman
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
9
9
Chase Elliott
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
10
22
Joey Logano
Team Penske
Ford
11
18
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
12
3
Austin Dillon
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
13
45
Kurt Busch
23XI Racing
Toyota
14
43
Erik Jones
Petty GMS Motorsports
Chevrolet
15
17
Chris Buescher
RFK Racing
Ford
16
47
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
JTG Daugherty Racing
Chevrolet
17
34
Michael McDowell
Front Row Motorsports
Ford
18
6
Brad Keselowski
RFK Racing
Ford
19
24
William Byron
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
20
2
Austin Cindric (R)
Team Penske
Ford
21
99
Daniel Suárez
Trackhouse Racing Team
Chevrolet
22
23
Bubba Wallace
23XI Racing
Toyota
23
38
Todd Gilliland (R)
Front Row Motorsports
Ford
24
21
Harrison Burton (R)
Wood Brothers Racing
Ford
25
12
Ryan Blaney
Team Penske
Ford
26
7
Corey LaJoie
Spire Motorsports
Chevrolet
27
77
Justin Allgaier (i)
Spire Motorsports
Chevrolet
28
16
Noah Gragson (i)
Kaulig Racing
Chevrolet
29
15
J. J. Yeley (i)
Rick Ware Racing
Ford
30
19
Martin Truex Jr.
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
31
10
Aric Almirola
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
32
4
Kevin Harvick
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
33
1
Ross Chastain
Trackhouse Racing Team
Chevrolet
34
11
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
35
51
Cody Ware
Rick Ware Racing
Ford
36
78
Josh Williams (i)
Live Fast Motorsports
Ford
Official starting lineup
Race
[edit]
Final lap
[edit]
During the closing laps of the race, Tyler Reddick was leading with Chase Briscoe right behind him looking to challenge for the win. Reddick was looking for his first Cup Series win in his 83rd start while Briscoe was looking for his 2nd win of the season and of his career after Briscoe won at Phoenix a month ago. On the final lap, Briscoe was almost at Reddick's rear bumper. Briscoe tried to pass in turns 1 and 2 but couldn't get alongside Reddick. In turn 3, Briscoe sent it in as fast and deep as he could and got alongside Reddick. Briscoe slid up and got into Reddick causing both to get sideways. Both tried to save it but both spun out in turn 4. Reddick did a full 360 degree spin and got his car rolling trying to chug it across the finish line. But just before he got there, Kyle Busch, who was in 3rd almost 4 seconds back during the final lap, got to the finish line first and stole the win while Reddick finished in 2nd. Briscoe would finish in 22nd. This would be Busch's 60th win of his Cup Series career and his last for Joe Gibbs Racing.[13]
Stage Results
[edit]
Stage One Laps: 75
Pos
No
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
Points
1
5
Kyle Larson
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
10
2
42
Ty Dillon
Petty GMS Motorsports
Chevrolet
9
3
20
Christopher Bell
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
8
4
3
Austin Dillon
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
7
5
18
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
6
6
48
Alex Bowman
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
5
7
22
Joey Logano
Team Penske
Ford
4
8
8
Tyler Reddick
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
3
9
12
Ryan Blaney
Team Penske
Ford
2
10
47
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
JTG Daugherty Racing
Chevrolet
1
Official stage one results
Stage Two Laps: 75
Pos
No
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
Points
1
14
Chase Briscoe
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
10
2
20
Christopher Bell
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
9
3
99
Daniel Suárez
Trackhouse Racing Team
Chevrolet
8
4
9
Chase Elliott
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
7
5
18
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
6
6
5
Kyle Larson
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
5
7
22
Joey Logano
Team Penske
Ford
4
8
34
Michael McDowell
Front Row Motorsports
Ford
3
9
12
Ryan Blaney
Team Penske
Ford
2
10
8
Tyler Reddick
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
1
Official stage two results
Final Stage Results
[edit]
Stage Three Laps: 100
Pos
Grid
No
Driver
Team
Manufacturer
Laps
Points
1
11
18
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
250
52
2
3
8
Tyler Reddick
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
250
39
3
10
22
Joey Logano
Team Penske
Ford
250
42
4
5
5
Kyle Larson
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
250
48
5
25
12
Ryan Blaney
Team Penske
Ford
250
36
6
8
48
Alex Bowman
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
250
36
7
2
20
Christopher Bell
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
250
47
8
9
9
Chase Elliott
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
250
36
9
17
34
Michael McDowell
Front Row Motorsports
Ford
250
31
10
7
42
Ty Dillon
Petty GMS Motorsports
Chevrolet
250
36
11
18
6
Brad Keselowski
RFK Racing
Ford
250
26
12
21
99
Daniel Suárez
Trackhouse Racing Team
Chevrolet
250
33
13
1
41
Cole Custer
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
250
24
14
6
31
Justin Haley
Kaulig Racing
Chevrolet
250
23
15
15
17
Chris Buescher
RFK Racing
Ford
250
22
16
20
2
Austin Cindric (R)
Team Penske
Ford
250
21
17
23
38
Todd Gilliland (R)
Front Row Motorsports
Ford
250
20
18
19
24
William Byron
Hendrick Motorsports
Chevrolet
250
19
19
26
7
Corey LaJoie
Spire Motorsports
Chevrolet
250
18
20
24
21
Harrison Burton (R)
Wood Brothers Racing
Ford
250
17
21
30
19
Martin Truex Jr.
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
250
16
22
4
14
Chase Briscoe
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
250
25
23
31
10
Aric Almirola
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
250
14
24
14
43
Erik Jones
Petty GMS Motorsports
Chevrolet
250
13
25
36
78
Josh Williams (i)
Live Fast Motorsports
Ford
250
0
26
35
51
Cody Ware
Rick Ware Racing
Ford
250
11
27
28
16
Noah Gragson (i)
Kaulig Racing
Chevrolet
248
0
28
22
23
Bubba Wallace
23XI Racing
Toyota
245
9
29
16
47
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
JTG Daugherty Racing
Chevrolet
240
9
30
29
15
J. J. Yeley (i)
Rick Ware Racing
Ford
221
0
31
12
3
Austin Dillon
Richard Childress Racing
Chevrolet
211
13
32
13
45
Kurt Busch
23XI Racing
Toyota
211
5
33
33
1
Ross Chastain
Trackhouse Racing Team
Chevrolet
150
4
34
32
4
Kevin Harvick
Stewart-Haas Racing
Ford
100
3
35
34
11
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing
Toyota
91
2
36
27
77
Justin Allgaier (i)
Spire Motorsports
Chevrolet
74
0
Official race results
Race statistics
[edit]
Lead changes: 6 among 5 different drivers
Cautions/Laps: 14 for 82
Red flags: 1 for 16 minutes and 51 seconds
Time of race: 3 hours, 34 minutes and 27 seconds
Average speed: 34.973 miles per hour (56.284 km/h)
Media
[edit]
Television
[edit]
The Food City Dirt Race was carried by Fox in the United States. Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer and 12-time Bristol winner – and all-time Bristol race winner – Darrell Waltrip called the race from the broadcast booth, his first since the 2019 Toyota/Save Mart 350 when he retired from commentary duties. Jamie Little and Regan Smith handled pit road for the television side. Larry McReynolds provided insight also from pit road.
Fox
Booth announcers
Pit reporters
In-race analyst
Lap-by-lap: Mike JoyColor-commentator: Clint BowyerColor-commentator: Darrell Waltrip
Jamie LittleRegan Smith
Larry McReynolds
Radio
[edit]
PRN had the radio call for the race which was simulcasted on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Doug Rice and Mark Garrow called the race in the booth when the field raced down the frontstretch. Rob Albright called the race from atop the turn 3 suites when the field raced down the backstretch. Brad Gillie, Brett McMillan, Lenny Batycki and Alan Cavanna covered the action on pit lane for PRN.
Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.
. – Driver has clinched a position in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
References
[edit]
^"2022 schedule". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^"Bristol Motor Speedway". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. January 3, 2013. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^"Entry List" (PDF). Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
^"First Practice Results". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^"Final Practice Results". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^"Bristol Heat Races Results". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
^"Starting Lineup". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
^"Food City Dirt Race Results". NASCAR.com. NASCAR. April 17, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
^"Points standings" (PDF). Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. April 17, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
^"NASCAR Cup Series to go dirt trackin' at Bristol in 2021 - NBC Sports". NASCAR Talk | NBC Sports. September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
^Utter, Jim (April 15, 2022). "Reddick fastest in spin-filled first Cup practice at Bristol". Motorsport.com. Bristol, Tennessee: Motorsport Network. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^Utter, Jim (April 15, 2022). "Denny Hamlin tops Kyle Busch in final Bristol Cup practice". Motorsport.com. Bristol, Tennessee: Motorsport Network. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^"NASCAR Food City Dirt Race: Kyle Busch steals win at Bristol". Retrieved April 18, 2022.
Previous race:2022 Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400
The 2022 Food City Dirt Race program cover.
