Drivers give new BMS surface a big thumbs up

Todd Bodine was itching to get his NASCAR Craftsman Truck on the track at Bristol Motor Speedway so as soon as Monday’s’ test session began, he made certain he was the first on the new concrete surface.

At exactly 11 a.m., the time the test officially began, Bodine took to the track and turned six laps before returning to pit road. His reaction to the new surface was enthusiastic, to say the least.

“It’s unbelievable," he said. “This is the way a track should be built. I will not be surprised at all to see three-wide racing here."

Bodine, a former winner in the NASCAR Busch Series at Bristol Motor Speedway, says there’s absolutely no comparison to the old surface.

‘You can’t compare it at all," he said. “The old Bristol was classic and everybody either loved it or hated it. Now, I can’t see how everybody can’t love it. It’s going to be so much fun to run on and you’re definitely going to be able to pass.

“Cars and trucks will be able to run every groove and I think you’re definitely going to have three grooves."