Modifieds return to Bristol after 47 years.

[rbroyles]

In 1961, Bristol Int. Speedway was constructed, and on Saturday nights they conducted races in NASCAR'S Modified and Sporstman Divisions. The Modifieds were mostly mid & late 30's Ford coupes and sedans powered by unrestricted V8 engines. They were fast, faster by over two seconds a lap than the what is now Sprint Cup cars.

Tonight after a 47 year hiatus (they stopped in '62) the Modifieds once again rumbled and thundered around the high banked turns of now called Bristol Motor Raceway. They were fast and sleek, faster by about two seconds a lap than the Sprint Cup Division cars. They dueled side by side despite the hazard presented by their non-fendered wheels and tires.

My mind was flooded with the memories of a then 14 year old watching with a bit more interest than most. My dad owned a Sportsman car that ran together with the Modifieds, and while the Modifieds were untouchable, his car almost always garnared a top three finish in it's division. One night Ralph Earnhardt showed up and dad beat him by one position.

It was fun to be there and hear and feel the exciting roar and ground shaking power generated by the Modifieds once more, probably the last time for me.

 

[doozer]

i only caught the last few laps, but i never understood why there's not more 'grassroots' racing like this at Bristol. is it simply not worth it to open the track unless it's Cup weekend? not enough people in the area to support more events?

 

[rbroyles]

That has been the way it has gone. Did you notice how small the crowd was? I estimate less than 30,000. Quite a few more came to the Truck race.

 

[**ORANGEBLOOD**]

They covered Bristol with dirt several years ago and ran Dirt Late Models on it. I went there to watch. That was one awesome sight.

 

[rbroyles]

They did it two years and also ran WoO Sprint Cars. Now that was awesome, they averaged over 140 mph laps.