NASCAR Cup Series: Tire Wear Issues Resurface at Bristol
NASCAR Cup Series teams faced significant tire wear challenges during the latest event at Bristol Motor Speedway, prompting the release of an additional tire set early in the final stage of the race. Teams were allocated a total of 11 sets of tires—10 new and one from qualifying—to mitigate this recurring issue.
Goodyear’s Global Race Tire Operations Manager, Justin Fantozzi, noted the industry’s request for additional tires. “We’re delivering on exactly what we were asked to do,” he stated. Fantozzi also highlighted the tire management expected from teams, given the conditions similar to those seen in the spring race of 2024.
The race commenced under cooler evening temperatures, dipping from a high of 85 degrees earlier in the day to around 71 degrees at start time, with track temperatures registering at 89 degrees. Fantozzi observed that the cooler conditions mirrored those of the earlier 2024 event, affecting tire performance significantly.
Within 40 laps, drivers encountered severe tire wear leading to numerous green-flag pit stops. The accumulation of marbles along the track’s outer wall echoed the earlier race, where a lack of rubber build-up instead resulted in the presence of debris.
Goodyear introduced a new, softer right-side tire for this event, anticipated to be used only this season. The left-side tire remained unchanged from those utilized in the previous four Bristol races.
The recurrence of excessive wear took drivers by surprise, as practice and qualifying did not indicate any impending issues. “It definitely caught me off guard,” remarked driver Josh Berry, who was forced to retire early due to a fire resulting from built-up tire rubber. He noted deteriorating lap speeds, contrasting practice times with real-time race performance. “When we’re in the 16s that quick, you could tell that’s going on.”
As teams navigate these challenges, the implications for tire strategy and management will heavily influence the remainder of the season.
