“I think it was probably one of the best short track races I’ve ever seen.”
On Sunday, NASCAR returned to Bristol Motor Speedway. And, despite the clarity in pixels, you would have thought it was a race in 1990.
For years, drivers have been calling on Goodyear to bring a softer tire to the racetrack. They’ve done so, with very small changes.
Yet, today at Bristol Motor Speedway a mysterious event caused the racetrack not to take rubber. The tire used on Sunday was the exact same tire used in the 2023 race on the Bristol concrete but with far different results.
Teams were thrown for a loop as they noticed a set of tires would only last 40-60 laps in the 500 lap race. Only 9 sets were in the pit lane but NASCAR issued an emergency 10th set in the middle of the race as teams were worried they’d run out of tires at the end of the race.
Kyle Larson stated over the radio, “Does NASCAR have like a crisis management team? Because this seems like a crisis right now.”
Goodyear accidentally brought the exact tire that fans and drivers have been calling for. Yet, they called an emergency press conference in the middle of the race noting it, ‘A tough situation’.
Goodyear calls it a ‘tough situation’ but fans see a great Bristol race
But, Goodyear couldn’t be more incorrect. This is exactly what NASCAR has been lacking on short tracks for several decades.
Dale Earnhardt Jr laughed on X stating, “They went into PR mode mid race.” He also added, “I loved everything about that race today.”
Thankfully, NASCAR sees it the same way…
NASCAR commented after the race at Bristol Motor Speedway
“Certainly a record setting day for us,” NASCAR’s John Probst stated after the race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
“I know the race teams are probably pretty wore out right now. I know our track crew and folks up in the booth are probably wore out just from a pretty exciting day all around, on the track.”
Certainly, had some anxiety around some tire wear. But, all-in-all I think it was probably one of the best short track races I’ve ever seen.”
NASCAR comments on adding more horsepower for short tracks
Resin use
The only difference between 2023 and 2024 is the use of resin in the bottom lane to support grip in that lane specifically. Last year, PJ1 was used instead. But, it remains unclear if that’s what caused the tire wear.
“One thing we learned through our testing on the wet weather [package] on ovals was that the cars are the best way to dry the track quickly. The fans want to see the cars on track.”
“So, when we came here and tested, we tried the PJ1. When wet the track down, it’s almost like oil on the track. The cars get no traction.”
“When we came back here this year with the wet weather package for Bristol we elected to use the resin versus the PJ1.”
“There were times in the race obviously when there’s anxiety of, ‘Are we going to have enough tires to finish it?’ But, coming out at the end, I would not want to change much of that, at all. Just give them more tires.”
“There’s so much data to collect. But, there’s nothing that stands out as to why the resin versus the PJ1 did what it did. When you look at the friction levels, the were growing throughout the weekend. We monitor it every day and after every time there’s cars on track.”
Will NASCAR change anything for the next Bristol race?
“We’ll work with Goodyear and we’ll work with the teams. We work a lot with the drivers frankly, they’ve been asking for more tire wear for awhile now.”
“It could have just been a combination of resin and temperature. It’s too soon to put a definitive reason to any of it. But, great race.”
“I thought just a phenomenal race with great results for our fans.”
Bristol Results: March 17, 2024 (NASCAR Cup Series)
