Though Goodyear introduced the identical tire mixture as was utilized in final September’s race on the observe, it grew to become clear early within the race the tire fall-off was laying no rubber on the observe, which resulted in unusually extreme tire put on.
Groups rapidly found they couldn’t go greater than 47 to 50 laps earlier than they risked a tire cording to the purpose of shedding air stress.
To assist handle the difficulty, NASCAR allowed Goodyear to offer groups with one extra set of tires throughout the race however that also prompted large modifications to the tempo of the race and pit technique.
“We’re making an attempt to know what’s totally different, why the observe is behaving in another way than a yr in the past,” Goodyear racing director Greg Stucker stated throughout an look within the infield media heart late within the race.
“It’s the identical bundle. It’s the identical tire mixture. It’s nonetheless a little bit of an unknown.”
Temperatures in Sunday’s race weren’t greater than 10 levels or so totally different than final September. The one recognized change was the usage of traction resin within the bottoms of the turns slightly than PJ1.
Nevertheless, a visible examination of the observe floor after the race confirmed no areas of rubbering in on the concrete floor, on the realm lined by resin or off. In actual fact, aside from the marbles of used tire, it was arduous to discern a race had taken place on the observe in any respect.
The tire dialog required to handle the race helped produce a file 54 lead modifications amongst 16 drivers. However the tire points additionally contributed to a number of of the 9 cautions that spanned 98 laps.
It in all probability supplied no shock that the game’s most veteran drivers completed 1-2-3 with Denny Hamlin taking the win, adopted by Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski.
Extra Goodyear tire rubber on the observe
Picture by: Lesley Ann Miller / Motorsport Photographs
“Tire put on is at all times the aim,” Stucker stated. “That’s what individuals wish to see. It creates comers and goers. Clearly, one thing is totally different now. It’s too drastic.”
Stucker stated he anticipated that a further tire take a look at might be wanted on the observe previous to the sequence’ return this fall. NASCAR, nevertheless, wasn’t so certain a lot – if something – wanted to alter.
“All in all, I assumed it was among the finest short-track races I’ve ever seen,” stated NASCAR’s Chief Racing Growth Officer John Probst. “We’ll return and have a look at all of it.
“There have been occasions within the race clearly when there was nervousness round are we going to have sufficient tires to complete it. However, man, popping out on the finish and watching all that, I’d not wish to change a lot in any respect actually.
“Perhaps simply give them extra tires.”
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