The Backstretch Blog: Bristol is for streakers

March 20, 2012|By HEATHER WILLIAMS | Eyewitness Sports

From Fred Lorezen to Darrell Waltrip to Kurt Busch and then Kyle Busch, Bristol Motor Speedway has been the kind of track that once you figure it out, you figure it out. On Sunday, Brad Keselowski became the 12th different driver to have at least two wins at the world's fastest half mile.

"I have noticed this is a streaky track. There's no doubt about that," said Keselowski.

And it's also a track that once you win there, you are considered in among the best in the business.

"I think I said it last year, that this is a track where champions win at. Whether you look at Dale, Darrell, Cale, Alan Kulwicki, you're looking at champion drivers," said Keselowski. "Tony has won here, Jeff Gordon has won a lot here. The best drivers here go on and win championships. I know Kyle has won here, certainly hasn't won a Cup championship, but won a Nationwide."

Once the toughest ticket on the circut, the track seems to have lost a little bit of luster among the fans, with plenty of empty seats on Sunday. But hasn't lost anything with the drivers.

"There's other places that perhaps have a little more prestige, and I said that last year as well, but this place defines a race team," said Keselowski. "It asks so much of you, whether it's just in practice, being lined up on pit road, dealing with the noise, the havoc that practice can be, or the hot day of getting through tech, making those last adjustments, or as a driver 500 laps in a bowl trying to keep your composure. This racetrack can really test a team."

And it's really hard to find a driver that has a bad word to say about racing Bristol. Especially once they have won there.

"I mean, what can I say? I love Bristol and Bristol loves me," said Keselowski. "It's a great track that really demands a hundred percent out of a driver and out of a team."

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