The iRacing Champions League Midget National Tour rolls into one of the most iconic and challenging venues on the calendar this week: the dirt-covered high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway. Known as “The Last Great Colosseum,” Bristol provides a stage like no other, where speed, aggression, and precision all collide inside its tight half-mile bullring. With the walls always looming and traffic arriving quickly, there is no margin for error at this event.

Looking Back at Past Seasons

The tour has seen two very different but equally impressive winners in its first two trips to Bristol.

  • Season 1 (Dec. 11, 2022) – Brennan Rogers dominated the inaugural Midget race at Bristol, leading all 15 laps from the pole to secure a flag-to-flag victory. Behind him, Jett Barnes and Garron Brimmer both showed flashes of speed but were unable to challenge for the lead. The field stayed clean with no cautions, but the pace Rogers set made it impossible for anyone to catch up.

  • Season 2 (Mar. 26, 2024) – Barrett Bishop rose to the occasion, turning in a flawless performance from the pole and leading every lap on his way to victory. Behind him, JT Ferry kept the pressure on, finishing just 1.4 seconds back, while Aidan Strawberry charged from 11th to 3rd, showcasing the kind of passing and resilience Bristol demands. Once again, the race ran caution-free, proving that while the track is treacherous, the best drivers can tame it.

Storylines for Season 3

As the series returns to Bristol for Season 3, all eyes are on whether the trend of domination continues—or if the race finally sees multiple lead changes on the high banks. Drivers like Strawberry, who already owns multiple wins this season, will be aiming to capitalize on his momentum. Veterans like Ferry and Kinser Lightner have the experience to run up front here, while rising names in the field will look to make their mark on one of the most prestigious stops of the tour.

Another key question: can anyone join Rogers and Bishop as a Bristol winner, or will we see the first repeat champion at “The Last Great Colosseum”?

What to Expect

Expect blistering lap times, plenty of slide jobs, and a race where track position will be at a premium. With Bristol’s combination of speed and close quarters, qualifying will be critical, and any mistake will be costly. If the past two seasons are any indication, fans are in for another caution-free sprint to the finish—but with more drivers in the mix this season, the pressure will be higher than ever.

The stage is set, the spotlight is bright, and the Midget National Tour is ready to put on a show at Bristol.