## “We don’t know what we’re trying to achieve”
On SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s ‘The Morning Drive’, Rudy Fugle, crew chief for the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet adn driver William Byron offered his thoughts on the return of Bristol’s ‘chaos tire’ this past weekend.
Hitting the ‘magic track temperature,’ the Bristol Night Race produced 36 lead changes (compared to just four in the spring race), but also 14 cautions.
Some members of the NASCAR garage spoke with Motorsport.com following the Bristol Night Race, including Hendrick’s vice president of competition, Chad Knaus. He wasn’t exactly a fan, saying, “this isn’t the way I like racing.”
Goodyear’s Role in Bristol Racing: A Call for Clarity on Desired Outcomes
Recent discussions surrounding NASCAR’s return to Bristol Motor Speedway have centered on the type of racing fans and teams desire, and the role Goodyear tires play in achieving it. Concerns have been raised about tire wear and the resulting racing product,prompting a call for a clear definition of the goals for the Bristol event.
One observer noted the delicate balance of tire management, stating, “running the old right side tire, we were going to be within a couple degrees of that threshold on the tires wearing again or not, too. So I really think somebody has to put the goal on the wall. What do we want the Bristol race to be? And if you don’t know what that goal is, you know, (then) we don’t know what we’re trying to achieve.”
The core of the debate revolves around whether fans are seeking a specific style of racing – a balance of competition, or a return to the more aggressive, bump-and-run style of the mid-1990s. “If anybody asks for my help,which sometimes they do or don’t,I don’t even know what the goal is. Are the fans wanting one of those two races, or are they wanting 1995?”
The argument extends beyond tire compounds. The source believes a true replication of the 1995 Bristol races isn’t achievable with current tire technology. “if they’re wanting 1995, it wasn’t either one of those races, in my opinion, either. I was sitting in a grandstand as an 11-year-old kid watching in 1995 and it wasn’t like either of those races.They were going all out. They were just on the bottom and bump-and-run with the thing and whatever. If you want 1995, it’s not going to come from a goodyear tire. It’s going to come from cutting up the racetrack and redoing the concrete back to 1995 and then — I don’t even know if the car can produce that kind of racing either, but that’s the first step.”
Ultimately, the discussion highlights the need for NASCAR and Goodyear to collaboratively define the desired characteristics of the Bristol race before focusing on tire selection and track configuration.
## Tire wear a Major Factor in Chaotic Xfinity Series Race at Martinsville
Martinsville Speedway proved to be a challenging track for tire wear during Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, leading to a chaotic and unpredictable event. Drivers and teams had to constantly manage their tires as the race progressed, with the outer groove of the track becoming increasingly covered in marbles.
“Nobody was sure that it was going to happen, so, it was a surprise once we started seeing the marbles starting to collect up there on the outer groove,” said driver Bayley Fugle, reflecting on the race. “That was a telltale sign, probably around (Lap) 25, but I noticed that.”
The rapid tire degradation forced drivers to adjust their lines and strategies, making passing challenging and increasing the risk of spins and crashes. The race ultimately saw numerous cautions and a high degree of attrition as drivers struggled to maintain control of their vehicles on the worn tires. Teams were forced to make frequent pit stops to address the issue, adding another layer of complexity to the competition.
Worth a look