FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Motor Speedway was born out of NASCAR’s boom in the 1990s, when the sport was expanding rapidly and drawing massive crowds across the country.
When the track opened in 1997, it represented that growth. Built by Bruton Smith, Texas replaced North Wilkesboro Speedway on the schedule — a move that immediately drew backlash from traditional fans. Still, the inaugural race drew an estimated crowd of around 150,000, showing just how strong NASCAR’s popularity had become.
From the beginning, however, Texas faced challenges.
Early issues included drainage problems around the facility and a unique dual-banking design in Turns 1 and 2, which featured varying degrees of banking intended to accommodate multiple forms of racing. The concept proved problematic, contributing to accidents and driver concerns. By 1998, the track was reconfigured to a more traditional layout with consistent high banking.
A repave in 2001 helped smooth the racing surface, and for more than a decade, Texas produced competitive racing. Memorable battles — including those involving Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, and Jeff Gordon — highlighted the track’s peak years.
That consistency began to fade in the mid-2010s. A rain-delayed and shortened race in 2016 exposed ongoing surface and drainage concerns, leading to a major repave and reconfiguration in 2017. The changes altered Turns 1 and 2, reducing banking and widening the racing surface.
The results were mixed.
In the years that followed, drivers struggled with limited racing grooves, leading to attempts to improve competition through traction compounds like PJ1. While intended to widen the racing line, the substance created its own challenges, particularly for series like IndyCar.
Even with the introduction of NASCAR’s Next Gen car in 2022 — which improved racing at many intermediate tracks — Texas continued to produce inconsistent results. Tire wear, handling issues, and track surface irregularities have all contributed to its reputation.
Today, opinion on Texas Motor Speedway remains divided. Some fans appreciate the unpredictability created by bumps and changing conditions, while others long for the track’s earlier configuration — or question its place on the schedule altogether.
What is clear is that Texas Motor Speedway reflects the evolution of NASCAR itself — from rapid expansion to modern challenges — and remains one of the sport’s most debated venues.
