NASCAR accidentally brought back 1990’s short track racing to Bristol Motor Speedway as a mysterious tire issue caused chaos for all teams
Last season, Goodyear hosted a tire test at Bristol Motor Speedway. A new tire was developed with the idea of creating more wear.
That tire was ‘successfully’ used last Fall. And, they brought the same tire to the race on Sunday and saw a drastically different result.
After around 50 laps, many drivers were racing on tire cords with no rubber left. We saw drastic tire fall off. For a mysterious reason, the track was not taking rubber.
The only real significant difference was that resin was used on the bottom groove, instead of the PJ1 that has been used for several years.
That’s due to NASCAR’s use of a new rain tire on short tracks. They found in testing that PJ1 didn’t work in rain tire scenarios.
9 sets of tires were issued by NASCAR at the start of the race. Midway through the race, NASCAR issued an emergency 10th set.
Goodyear incorrectly went into damage control. They hosted a press conference in the middle of the race.
But, the race brought 54 lead changes, the most ever for a NASCAR race on any short track. And, the fans were extremely pleased.
Bristol Results: March 17, 2024 (NASCAR Cup Series)
Goodyear reacts to tire issues at Bristol Motor Speedway
“We tested here last year with the intent to come up with a tire package that generated more tire wear. That was the request from NASCAR and the teams,” Goodyear’s Greg Stucker stated.
“We feel like we had a very successful test. And we feel like we had a very successful race in the Fall of last year. We saw wear but we thought it was spot on.”
“Now, we’re trying to understand what’s different. Why is the racetrack behaving differently than a year ago? It’s the same package, the same tire combination.”
“Obviously, the difference is resin was placed on the lower groove instead of PJ1. But, I still think the racetrack should be taking rubber. Still an unknown as to why it’s not behaving the same way.”
“It’s still a tough situation and we’re going to have to try to understand exactly what’s happening. And adjust from there.”
Tire wear was the goal; But, not this much
Stucker added, “Tire wear is always the goal. That’s what people want to see. It creates comers and goers with who manages tires the best.”
“But, like I said, we thought we were in a really good spot with the tire in the Fall. Something’s different now, this is too drastic.”
“The tire rubber is wearing off and it’s just not adhering to the racetrack. That’s why you see all the marbles. And again, last August, it took rubber, immediately.”
“Everybody expressed concern. We decided to wait and see what happened with the Truck race. The truck race went exactly like we expected it to. Tire wear was in-line with what we have historically seen.”
“It’s unclear why we’re not seeing that same thing today.”
Goodyear was asked if they plan to host another test before NASCAR returns to Bristol in the Fall of this year.
“I’d say it’s a good bet that we will.”
Links
Goodyear Racing | Bristol Motor Speedway | NASCAR
