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NASCAR issues extra set of tires for Bristol Night Race after severe wear on track

JHby: Jonathan Howard16 hours agoJondean25
Denny Hamlin Bristol Night Race tires
Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

After the severe tire wear that we have seen in the first two stages of the Bristol Night Race, NASCAR has issued another set of tires. This was similar to the decision officials made in the Spring 2024 race, where there was a similar falloff on the tires.

Goodyear let teams know during Stage 2 that they were preparing the tires in case they were needed. NASCAR finally gave the official word, and now things are a bit simpler for the crew chiefs.

We have seen drivers stretch the tires now that the race has gone on for a while. But will they have to do that with an extra set of tires available? This is a wild Bristol Night Race, and it’s only going to get wilder.

The extra set of tires will give the teams 12 total. Those will be 11 fresh sets and one scuffed set from qualifying. That is the same number of tires that teams had for the Spring 2024 race when there was severe tire wear.

Drivers have been complaining about everything related to these tires. They have been fighting for position on the track. You can run the second groove if you want, but it only leads to more tire wear if you aren’t quick enough with it.

Bristol Night Race chaos with severe tire wear

Despite all of the rubber in the track, the NASCAR Playoffs have been thrown for a loop in the Bristol Night Race. We are seeing severe tire wear right now throughout the entire field. It’s like the Spring 2024 race all over again.

Drivers are running until the car feels like it is going to slip out from under them, and then hitting pit road. We are seeing fall off as much as three seconds between the fastest laps being run and the slowest as the tires shred and fall apart.

Right now, Ty Gibbs looks like he is running a good strategy. Ryan Blaney ran long. These tires are only lasting 30-40 laps, and teams need them to last 50-60 laps to make it to the end of the race. Something has to give.

Look at these tires from John Hunter Nemechek’s and Bubba Wallace’s cars after just one run at the Bristol Night Race. Wendy Venturini of PRN was on pit road to document the severe tire wear.

So tonight’s race has been a learning experience. Teams have been given a challenge and responded. Some have done better than others. The Bristol Night Race continues to deliver on the drama.