Most drivers navigated the identical subject all through Sunday’s race, however the distinction was Truex was in the perfect place to catch Hamlin for the win. And it was shut – so shut.
Following an uncharacteristic spherical of inexperienced flag pit stops on the brief observe, Truex emerged operating second to Hamlin with 47 of 500 laps to go.
The 2 swapped the lead briefly battling lapped site visitors however Truex knew he was getting near pushing his luck on how onerous he was operating to catch Hamlin. Hamlin ended up taking the checkered flag 1.083 seconds forward of Truex.
“I assume this tire administration factor suits into my wheelhouse right here at Bristol. Man, the distinction was simply popping out of the pits to this point behind Denny,” Truex stated. “I had to make use of mine up extra on the final run.
“I used to be proper on his bumper when he pitted and after I got here out, he was a straightaway forward of us and simply used my stuff up an excessive amount of to attempt to get there. The final 5 laps, my right-rear was corded. It was shut.”
Sunday’s race turned out to be a totally totally different affair with tires than final fall, which ended up serving to Truex to simply his third prime 5 end on the observe in 34 profession begins.
Excessive tire put on
Though Goodyear introduced the identical tire mixture to this race as was used final fall, for some cause the tire fall-off laid no rubber on the observe, which resulted in extreme tire put on.
Halfway via the race, NASCAR allowed Goodyear to offer groups with one extra set of tires however with many groups solely in a position to go between 47-50 laps earlier than creating issues, that compelled groups to drastically alter the tempo of the race.
For a veteran like Truex, that changed into an sudden benefit.
“Early within the race, went manner too onerous and realized your tires have been gone. After which, it’s like ‘Alright, we will’t run as onerous as we will.’ Simply had to determine how onerous you can push it and how much lap instances you can run all through the run,” Truex stated.
“Then we type of simply managed it from there. It was tough, truthfully, I barely pushed tougher there on that final run for 10 laps, and you realize, on the finish, I used to be right-rear corded.
“There’s a superb line and luckily for us, we had loads of pace in our Toyotas as we speak and we have been in a position to save tires and keep up entrance. That was the important thing.”
Sunday’s runner-up end continues Truex’s robust begin to the 2024 season. He has one prime 5 and three prime 10 finishes within the first 5 races and is third within the sequence standings heading into subsequent weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas.
“I gave it a hell of an effort,” Truex stated. “Our Toyotas are working rather well proper now. Had loads of enjoyable as we speak.”
