Do stock cars race on dirt?

Yes—stock cars do race on dirt, primarily at the grassroots and regional levels, with occasional appearances in national series. While NASCAR’s top-tier schedules have moved away from dirt in recent seasons, dirt-track stock-car racing remains widespread across North America, from weekly local shows to select touring and development series. Here’s how it works, where it happens, and why it matters.

What “stock cars on dirt” actually means

In modern racing, “stock car” refers to closed-fender, sedan-style race cars—most purpose-built rather than showroom-stock. On dirt, this spans everything from hobby-level Street Stocks to high-horsepower Dirt Late Models and Modifieds. The discipline traces back to stock car racing’s early days, when many NASCAR events were held on fairgrounds dirt ovals before the sport shifted to paved superspeedways.

Where stock cars race on dirt today

Local and regional dirt ovals

Across the U.S. and Canada, hundreds of clay ovals host weekly or seasonal programs featuring stock-car-style classes. The lineup varies by track and sanction, but the core categories are broadly familiar to short-track fans.

• Street Stocks / Hobby Stocks / Pure Stocks: Entry-level to intermediate full-fender cars built on production-based frames with safety and handling upgrades.
• Pro Stocks / Factory Stocks: Heavier-duty versions with tighter rulebooks and incremental performance steps.
• Dirt Late Models: Purpose-built, tube-frame, full-fender cars that headline many dirt programs; high power-to-weight and advanced suspension.
• Dirt Modifieds (IMCA/UMP/USRA): Open-front, fendered rear-body cars with strong regional followings and deep weekly fields.
• Sanctions and rulesets: IMCA, DIRTcar/UMP, USRA, and track-specific rulebooks standardize classes and tech inspection.

This local ecosystem is the backbone of dirt stock-car racing, creating a steady ladder for drivers, crews, and officials while giving fans regular, affordable events.

Touring and development series

Beyond weekly shows, several touring and developmental championships put stock-car-style machinery on dirt, offering national exposure or serving as bridges to higher divisions.

• ARCA Menards Series: Runs select mile-dirt events at state fairgrounds such as Springfield (IL) and DuQuoin (IL), keeping full-bodied cars on dirt within NASCAR’s broader development pipeline.
• NASCAR Canada Series (formerly Pinty’s): Added a dirt race at Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario beginning in 2022, showcasing modern stock cars on a purpose-built clay oval.
• Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and World of Outlaws Late Models: Premier national tours for purpose-built dirt late models—full-fendered, stock-car-style machines.
• Regional Modified and Pro Stock tours: IMCA, USRA, and DIRTcar circuits offer multi-track points chases across numerous states and provinces.

These series maintain dirt’s national footprint, blending professional operations with the accessibility and spectacle of clay ovals.

NASCAR’s relationship with dirt: a quick timeline

NASCAR’s top divisions have alternated between embracing and stepping back from dirt, reflecting evolving priorities, venues, and fan appetite. The highlights below show how that pendulum has swung.

1. 1948–1970: The NASCAR Cup Series regularly raced on dirt, culminating in the last dirt Cup event of the era in 1970 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds (Raleigh).
2. 2013–2019: NASCAR’s Truck Series returned to dirt at Eldora Speedway, reviving national-series dirt racing and drawing marquee entries and crowds.
3. 2021–2023: The Cup and Truck Series ran on a temporary dirt surface at Bristol Motor Speedway, marking the first modern-era Cup dirt events; winners included Joey Logano (2021), Kyle Busch (2022), and Christopher Bell (2023).
4. 2024: NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck schedules did not include dirt events, while ARCA continued its traditional mile-dirt races; the NASCAR Canada Series retained its Ohsweken dirt date.

The pattern underscores that while top-tier NASCAR dirt dates come and go, dirt remains embedded in the sport’s culture—especially in development and regional levels.

How dirt stock-car racing differs from asphalt

Switching from pavement to clay changes how cars are prepared, driven, and even how tracks are maintained. These are the core differences fans and teams notice.

• Tires and traction: Softer, grooved tires and lower pressures maximize mechanical grip; drivers use throttle steering to rotate the car through a controlled slide.
• Suspension and ride height: More travel, different spring and shock packages, and altered roll centers help the car plant on a constantly evolving surface.
• Aero and bodywork: Downforce matters less than on asphalt; durability and side-bite from body shape, suspension geometry, and tire choice loom larger.
• Cooling and visibility: Mud screens, tear-offs, and protected air inlets keep engines cool and windshields clear as moisture and clay build up.
• Track prep and evolution: Watering, packing, and grading create a racing “cushion”; lines migrate as the surface slicks off, rewarding adaptability.

These dynamics produce a distinct style—short bursts of throttle, car rotation on entry, and line-hunting—that many fans find more improvisational than asphalt racing.

Attending a dirt stock-car event: what to know

Whether it’s a Friday-night local show or a marquee touring race, the dirt experience is immersive and informal. A few practical tips can make your night smoother.

• Bring basics: Safety glasses or sunglasses, a light face covering or bandana, ear protection, and a jacket for cooler nights.
• Expect schedule flexibility: Track prep and weather can shift start times; follow the track’s social feeds for updates.
• Seating smarts: Siting higher reduces dust; camping chairs and seat cushions help on bleachers.
• Cash and concessions: Many venues are cash-friendly for pit passes, food, and souvenirs.
• Pit access: When available, it offers close-up views of cars and crews; be mindful of safety rules and hot pit areas.

A little preparation goes a long way, turning a gritty night at the races into a comfortable, memorable outing.

Outlook: will top-tier stock cars return to dirt?

As of the 2024 season, NASCAR’s Cup and Craftsman Truck schedules did not feature dirt events, after a three-year experiment at Bristol. ARCA maintained its mile-dirt staples, and the NASCAR Canada Series continued its Ohsweken date. Historically, dirt appearances at the national level have come in cycles, influenced by broadcast considerations, logistics, and competitive balance. Regardless of top-tier scheduling, the dirt ecosystem—local tracks, regional tours, and late model/modified headliners—remains robust and central to stock-car development.

Summary

Stock cars absolutely race on dirt. The action thrives weekly at local tracks and in touring series, with ARCA and NASCAR’s Canadian championship keeping dirt on the broader ladder. While NASCAR’s top divisions stepped away from dirt after 2023, the surface remains a vital and popular part of the stock-car landscape, offering a distinct driving challenge and a fan experience that’s as close to the sport’s roots as it gets.

What types of cars race on dirt?

Dirt track cars are broadly categorized into two main types: open-wheel cars, which have no fenders and include sprint cars and midgets, and stock cars, which are full-bodied and include Late Models and Modifieds. Other types such as Karts, Quarter Midgets, and Sport Compacts exist, offering various levels of power and accessibility.
 
Open-Wheel Cars
These cars lack fenders and are designed for high-speed handling. 

• Sprint Cars: Large, powerful cars with wings to assist with handling and downforce at high speeds. 
• Wingless Sprint Cars: Similar to winged sprint cars but without the large top wing. 
• Midgets: Smaller open-wheel cars that serve as a step between karts and full-sized sprint cars. 
• Micro Sprints & Mini Sprints: Even smaller versions of sprint cars, often featuring four-cylinder engines, that offer a more accessible entry point into open-wheel racing. 

Stock Cars
These vehicles have full fenders and are generally more robust. 

• Late Models: Opens in new tabFull-bodied, purpose-built race cars featuring powerful V8 engines. They are a very popular dirt track division. 
• Modifieds: Opens in new tabSimilar to Late Models but are typically lighter and more purpose-built for modified rulesets, allowing for more freedom in chassis design. 
• Street Stocks & Hobby Stocks: Opens in new tabEntry-level classes that use older production car bodies or are designed with fewer modifications, making them a good starting point for new drivers. 

Other Types

• Karts: Small, four-stroke engine-powered open cars, including Outlaw Karts, which can be a good starting point for young racers. 
• Sport Compacts: Designed for pure stock, 4-cylinder, entry-level racing, they provide an inexpensive way to get involved in dirt track racing. 
• Quarter Midgets: Very small, lower-powered cars (30-45 mph) designed for very young children and beginners. 

Does NASCAR ever race on dirt?

No, NASCAR does not currently race on dirt in its top series, having shifted away from the temporary dirt configuration at Bristol Motor Speedway after the 2023 season, though it did race on dirt from 2021-2023 at Bristol and in the Truck Series at Eldora Speedway and Knoxville Raceway from 2013-2019. The NASCAR Cup Series has returned to concrete racing at Bristol for 2024 and beyond, and while the sport has roots in dirt racing, future dirt Cup races are not planned in the immediate future.
 
You can watch highlights of a NASCAR dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway here: 1mMotorsports on NBCYouTube · Apr 10, 2023
History of NASCAR and Dirt Racing

• Early Days: Professional racing in NASCAR got its start on dirt tracks in the early 20th century, with many drivers beginning their careers on such surfaces. 
• Truck Series (2013-2019): The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (now the Craftsman Truck Series) raced on dirt at Eldora Speedway beginning in 2013 and later at Knoxville Raceway. 
• Cup Series (2021-2023): For the first time in 51 years, the NASCAR Cup Series held a race on a temporary dirt surface at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2021. The event continued for three years but was met with mixed reviews. 

Why the Switch Back to Concrete?

• Mixed Reception: The Bristol dirt races, while initially exciting, ultimately were not as compelling to fans as hoped, with some drivers also becoming tired of the novelty. 
• Return to Tradition: The move back to a concrete track in 2024 was a return to Bristol’s traditional racing surface and a celebrated event for fans. 
• Gimmick Concerns: The dirt experiment was often seen as a gimmick, with ratings and racing quality not living up to expectations compared to the track’s traditional concrete events. 

This video discusses why the Bristol dirt races were considered a failure and why NASCAR is returning to concrete: 21sBrakeHardYouTube · Mar 19, 2024

Did Dale Earnhardt ever race on dirt?

It was always my dream, and I was just fortunate enough to be able to live out that dream.” Three years after Dale had left school, he had built his own stock car and he was racing constantly on dirt tracks around southern North Carolina.

How fast do stock cars go on dirt?

Speed on a dirt track mostly comes down to what car you’re driving and current surface conditions. That said, Pure Stock or Factory Stock cars usually top out around 60 to 75 mph. Step up to Street Stocks or IMCA Stock Cars, and you’re looking at speeds in the 80 to 100 mph range.