FORT WORTH, Texas — For a lot of its historical past, Texas Motor Speedway has drawn blended — and infrequently damaging — reactions from followers. From controversial races to inconsistent racing high quality, the 1.5-mile observe has constructed a status that’s arduous to disregard.
However because the saying goes, every little thing is greater in Texas — together with each the highs and the lows.
Whereas current years have introduced criticism — together with the extensively debated 2022 All-Star Race — Texas has additionally produced its share of memorable moments. It didn’t take lengthy for the observe to make an influence, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned his first Cup Sequence victory there in 2000.
One of many observe’s early highlights got here in 2001, when a tightly packed discipline battled within the closing laps. Drivers together with Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Dale Jarrett, and Steve Park have been all in competition earlier than Jarrett pulled away late for the win.
In 2004, the observe delivered its first true picture end, as Elliott Sadler narrowly held off Kasey Kahne in a dramatic ending. The joy continued in 2007, with last-lap and late-race battles involving Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, and Jimmie Johnson.
Not all moments at Texas have been about finishes. In 2008, Michael McDowell walked away from a violent qualifying crash, highlighting the protection developments of NASCAR’s Automobile of Tomorrow.
Championship drama has additionally performed out on the speedway. In 2012, Johnson and Brad Keselowski battled late into the race, tightening the title battle. Two years later, a late restart incident between Keselowski and Gordon sparked a post-race altercation that grew to become one of the vital talked-about moments of the season.
Even after the 2017 reconfiguration, Texas has proven flashes of its potential. That fall, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. battled for the win in a race that reminded followers of what the observe can produce at its finest.
At present, Texas Motor Speedway stays one of the vital polarizing tracks in NASCAR. Whereas current races have drawn criticism, its historical past reveals that when the situations are proper, the racing can nonetheless ship.
And if the lows have been as important as they’ve appeared in recent times, historical past suggests the subsequent excessive second is probably not far-off.
