2022 Food City Dirt Race

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 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

Background

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.

Entry list

* (R) denotes rookie driver.
* (i) denotes driver who is ineligible for series driver points.

Practice

First practice

Tyler Reddick was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 20.017 seconds and a speed of .

Final practice

Denny Hamlin was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 20.638 seconds and a speed of .

Qualifying heat races

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

Race 2

Race 3

Race 4

Starting Lineup

Race

Final lap

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.

Stage Results

Stage One
''Laps:'' 75

Stage Two
''Laps:'' 75

Final Stage Results

Stage Three
''Laps:'' 100

Race statistics

* 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:

Media

Television

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.

Radio

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.

Standings after the race

;Drivers' Championship standings

;Manufacturers' Championship standings

*Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.
*. – Driver has clinched a position in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

References

{{2022 NASCAR Cup

Food City Dirt Race
Food City Dirt Race
Food City Dirt Race
NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway