Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway CARS Tour Preview: What to Expect

Bassett, VA - April 6th, 2026

The CARS Tour is heading to a new venue this weekend, and it promises to be an exciting challenge for everyone involved. For the first time, the series will race at the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Among the drivers ready to take on this new challenge is Carson Loftin, piloting the Nelson Motorsports #22 Late Model Stock. With Castrol proudly displayed on the hood as the main sponsor, Carson is set to make a strong impression in his debut at this iconic track.

This weekend’s race marks a milestone for both the CARS Tour and Carson. It’s the first time the series visits Nashville, and it’s also the first time Carson will compete on this track. The combination of a new venue and a new experience for the driver adds an extra layer of anticipation and excitement. Fans can look forward to a thrilling night of racing, with qualifying kicking off at 6:30 pm ET and the main event—a 125-lap race—starting at 9:00 pm ET on Saturday. For those who can’t be there in person, the race will be broadcast live on FloRacing.

Carson Loftin climbing into the Nelson Motorsports #22.

What Makes Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway So Special

Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway stands out from many other tracks on the Late Model Stock circuit. Its layout, surface, and atmosphere create a racing environment unlike any other. The track is a 0.596-mile oval with a high banks and high speeds, located right in the middle of Nashville. The old abrasive surface makes tire management a constant factor over the course of the race, and a different tire combination of F45* and ST3* Hoosiers makes for another unique challenge that the Nelson Motorsports team has been preparing for.

Being in the downtown Nashville area, the speedway has a longstanding history within its community. While some have done their best to eliminate the track from existence, the CARS Tour's presence and excitement aims to keep the fire alive in the city.

Carson Loftin’s Preparation and Team Support

Entering a new track for the first time can be daunting, but Carson is not facing this challenge alone. His crew chief Kyle Hood brings a wealth of experience, especially at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, with a history dating back to the early 2000s. This knowledge is invaluable for helping Carson get up to speed quickly.

We asked Carson two key questions about his upcoming race weekend. His insights will give fans a better understanding of what to expect from him and the team:

Question 1: Nashville is going to be completely different than any other track Late Model Stocks regularly head to. What do you think is going to be the biggest challenge this weekend?

"I think the biggest challenge at Nashville, especially never seeing the place before, will be how rough it is and the lack of grip. It’s going to be super-fast, which I’m looking forward to, but you’ve got to stay disciplined and take care of your stuff all race."

Question 2: This track crosses off another first-time visit for you. How much have you leaned on your crew chief to help get you up to speed for Nashville and what to expect since he has a long history dating back to the early 2000s at this racetrack?

"I’ve been leaning on my crew chief Kyle Hood a lot, and I’ll definitely lean on him even more this weekend. He’s been to this track several times with Pro Late Models and Super Late Models and has had a lot of success here, so having that experience on my side is huge."

The collaboration between driver and crew chief will be crucial. They will work closely on car setup, tire management, and race strategy to tackle the unique demands of Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

Rebound from Wake County

This weekend will be more than just another CARS Tour race, but also a chance for the team to rebound from a tough result at Wake County Speedway two weeks ago after an electrical issue put the #22 behind the pit wall for over 30 laps. Although the car came back clean after the high-contact race was concluded, it was still not the result the team was looking for after proving their speed all weekend long and during the race.

Nashville is where Nelson Motorsports can get the season back on track. For Carson, he's riding high momentum after picking up a dominant win in the SMART Modified Tour at Dominion Raceway over the weekend with his Shady Grady Racing #15 team. The boost in confidence goes a long way in motorsports.

What Fans Can Expect from the Race

The race format includes qualifying at 6:30 pm ET, which will set the starting grid for the 125-lap main event at 9:00 pm ET.

Given the track’s characteristics, expect close racing with multi-groove battling for position throughout the night. Carson Loftin, with the support of Nelson Motorsports and Castrol, aims to make a strong showing in their first Nashville race.

How to Watch and Support

For those unable to attend in person, the race will be available live on FloRacing. This gives fans across the country a chance to follow the action and cheer on Carson Loftin and the CARS Tour.

For more information on the zMAX CARS Tour, visit www.carsracingtour.com and follow the Nelson Motorsports social media channels throughout the season for immediate updates.