NASCAR Insider Reveals Bristol’s Wild Drinking Ritual After Brad Keselowski’s “Old School” Claim

Every NASCAR track carries its own slice of history, and Bristol Motor Speedway stands out since hosting its first Cup Series race in 1961. This short track’s concrete oval delivered a lively show in the recent Bass Pro Shops Night Race, where tire wear and strategy put forth an intense battle. Dale Earnhardt Jr. highlighted the event’s appeal, noting, “What Bristol provided this weekend is the blueprint, in my opinion, of the weekend that a NASCAR fan wants…” Yet beyond the on-track action, Bristol sparks talk among insiders about traditions that amp up the excitement off the asphalt.

At Bristol, Brad Keselowski charged to a strong second-place finish behind Christopher Bell, praising the race for its single-groove demands that forced drivers to bump and hustle. This “old school” vibe ties into the unique ways fans and even garage folks stay engaged during long, caution-heavy nights. With 14 yellow flags flying, fourth only to historic highs like 20 in 1997, insiders are buzzing about rituals that turn those moments into something more.

Unpacking the Bristol drinking tradition

On the Dirty Mo Media Instagram post, hosts dove into Brad Keselowski‘s post-race take, with Kenny Wallace quoting him directly: “I like this race tonight. It felt old school. One lane had to hit people, move them out of the way.” This nod to Bristol’s classic, contact-heavy style set the stage for revealing a wild tradition tied to the track’s caution-prone nature, where yellow flags prompt a drinking ritual that’s become lore in NASCAR circles. Back in the day, parties hosted by figures like Randy LaJoie turned cautions into mandatory sips or shots, amplifying the chaos of races known for interruptions.

The hosts reminisced vividly, with Ken Schrader saying, “It would have been a bad race to be at one of Randy LaJoie’s parties,” explaining the rule, “You had to have a drink when the yellow came out.” This ritual, rooted in Bristol‘s history of high-caution counts, like the 14 yellows in 2025 that spanned 137 laps, a modern-era record, makes sense given the track’s short layout often leads to spins and wrecks. It’s “not too good” for lightweights, as the host quipped, especially in a race echoing 1997’s 20 cautions, turning viewing parties into endurance tests that mirror the on-track grind.

For context, Randy LaJoie, a two-time Xfinity Series (then Busch Series) champ, was known for these gatherings during Bristol Cup events, as clarified in the chat by Ken Schrader: “Yeah, I don’t know if it was a shot or whatever, but you had to have a drink when the yellow came up.”

General NASCAR drinking games include sipping for every caution flag (“Yellow flag? Yellow beer!”) or bonuses for debris causes, keeping spirits high amid the stops. Similar to Bristol’s caution sips, Talladega‘s game amps up the mayhem with rules like drinking for every mention of ‘3-wide racing,’ finishing your drink during wrecks involving more than five cars, or shouting ‘SHAKE AND BAKE!’ on draft passes, with the last to yell taking a penalty sip.

These rituals highlight how sports blend raw competition with off-track vibes. But Keselowski has bigger ideas for the sport’s future. While traditions like this keep diehards hooked, evolving NASCAR means thinking beyond the track.

Brad Keselowski’s push for NASCAR growth

Brad Keselowski isn’t shy about what NASCAR needs to draw bigger crowds, starting with tracks stepping up their game year-round. “The first one is the tracks, in general, need to find more ways to generate revenue outside of NASCAR. A lot of these tracks you go to, if you come to them on a Tuesday, three weeks before or after the race, there’s like three people that work there. There’s nobody around…,” he explained. This points to under-used facilities limiting reinvestment in fan perks, which could boost attendance and TV eyes by making venues lively hubs beyond race days.

He also takes aim at the playoff setup, arguing it hurts the sport’s balance. “The whole playoff thing has to go away. The nuance of having 10 races that are more important than 20-some others is very unhealthy for the sport. It’s demeaning to the other tracks and races. And unfortunately, those 10 races that are supposed to mean more are in direct competition with other sports. It muddies the water. It’s not working for the sport,” Keselowski stated.

Finally, Keselowski stresses bringing in new manufacturers for fresh energy and more investments. He described the injection of new OEMs as a rising tide that lifts all boats. This would pump funds into teams, ads, and media deals, helping NASCAR compete in a crowded sports landscape by expanding its reach and appeal. Do you think incorporating such factors can help?