BRISTOL, Tenn. – NASCAR and Bristol Motor Speedway officials announced Monday evening that dirt will return to the half-mile oval next year as part of the spring NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

The decision came as a result of “overwhelming response from fans, drivers and others throughout the motorsports industry,” according to a track statement.

The Food City Dirt Race and Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt both sold out of their available socially-distanced grandstand seats; the NASCAR Cup Series race reached capacity more than two months before the race weekend.

The Food City Dirt Race was the first Cup Series race to be held on dirt in 51 years.

“There has been so much buzz and excitement around the inaugural Food City Dirt Race weekend that with NASCAR’s blessing, we are thrilled to announce that we will be bringing back dirt in 2022 as part of the NASCAR Cup Series spring schedule,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “The dirt experience is unlike any other for NASCAR fans and could become a must-see event every season.”

Fans can purchase tickets for the spring 2022 Food City Dirt Race today online at www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

The exact race date and seat locations will be determined at a later date.