WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Five reflections following Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Watkins Glen International …
1. Assessing the Situation
Oh no! Is he really going to discuss tires again? Ughhhhhhh.
If you feel your interest waning at the mention of tires, you aren’t alone. In a sport that is heavily focused on entertainment, drama, and character, diving deep into discussions about large pieces of rubber may not seem like the best way to engage fans.
However, tires have become a crucial point of discussion regarding the quality of racing in the Cup Series. Following the checkered flag at the 100th race for the Next Gen car on Sunday, it appears that tires represent the last viable chance for enhancing races on road courses and short tracks.
The frustrating aspect, however, is the lack of clarity regarding their performance. NASCAR has reached a collaboration with tire supplier Goodyear to explore a softer tire compound that degrades faster, potentially leading to more overtaking opportunities, but the actual impact remains uncertain.
Take Watkins Glen, for instance. The primary focus of the race (aside from the playoffs) surrounded the anticipated dramatic tire degradation that was expected to influence the competitive nature of this iconic New York road course. Earlier this summer, Tyler Reddick mentioned on Denny Hamlin’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast about a tire he tested at the Glen that showed a four-second drop in lap time over a 20-lap stint. Austin Cindric, who conducted tests concurrently, reported a difference of six seconds with one of his tires.
These initial expectations were slightly tempered after a subsequent test indicated about three seconds of falloff, but enthusiasm among drivers and teams remained high leading into race weekend. When the first practice session revealed a variation of 2.5 seconds in lap times for some cars over an average run, optimism still prevailed.
Brad Keselowski remarked after practice, “It’s like, ‘Whoa! All the way to the other end of the spectrum.’ The knob got cranked, and it’ll be intriguing to see how it impacts the race.”
However, the anticipated effects of the tires didn’t materialize as foreseen. The track seemed to rubber in sufficiently to negate any significant impact, and even cars on considerably older tires were tough to overtake when they had clean air. Crew chiefs who aimed for stage points in Stage 1 were blindsided when their drivers struggled to reclaim lost ground after being shuffled to the back.
Christopher Bell commented, “It turned out to be the same old Watkins Glen. Before the race, we all anticipated tire wear to be a major factor and that we’d need to pit for fresh tires to advance through the field — and instead, it was the complete opposite.”
So what’s the situation? With a sufficient sample size, drivers are left questioning whether the Next Gen car’s design is hindering their ability to pass due to the dirty air created from the trailing vehicle. “The hot, turbulent air is still overpowering,” stated Tyler Reddick. Ty Gibbs added that he caught up to another driver from six seconds back during the race but found it impossible to pass once he was in the draft.
“Sometimes I wonder, ‘Is this car designed for us not to pass?’” Gibbs expressed. “It’s so challenging to overtake compared to the Xfinity car (which he drove on Saturday). In Xfinity, crossing over was possible, but this thing makes passing difficult, and it’s frustrating as a driver.”
Now, another uncertainty awaits at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night, which presented one of the most unusual yet captivating races earlier this spring. That race showcased unexpected tire wear, despite Goodyear claiming it provided the same tires as the previous race, which experienced minimal wear.
The prevailing theory then was that cooler spring temperatures must have influenced the results, leading to the significant differences in tire performance.
made sense until another Goodyear test this summer on a scorching day in Tennessee, where drivers reported similar high tire wear.
It defies logic. So why is this occurring? This past weekend, when asked about it, drivers mostly shrugged, indicating a your guess is as good as mine attitude.
“You make valid points,” Cindric remarked, an amused look on his face. “I’ve got nothing for you, man.”
GO DEEPER
Top 5, Bristol: Tire management race provided greatness; can it be replicated?
2. What If?
Below are some alternative scenarios we would be discussing today if certain events had transpired differently.
• If late cautions hadn’t occurred: Denny Hamlin would likely have finished in the 30s and found himself 15-20 points away from a playoff spot heading into the Bristol cutoff race. The level of anxiety for a championship-contending team would have been exceptionally high. Instead, crew chief Chris Gabehart was able to implement a strategy that returned Hamlin to the lead lap, allowing him to use a final fresh set of tires; Hamlin ended up in 23rd place and is now only six points shy of the cut line. He expressed optimism, stating they are heading to a track where “we can control our own destiny.”
• If Ryan Blaney had avoided the Lap 1 crash: It’s very likely Blaney would be arriving at Bristol as the points leader for this round and might have even secured a spot in Round 2 with a top-10 finish. Instead, Blaney now faces uncertainty regarding his advancement past this round if he encounters more problems on Saturday night, and that early incident will cast a shadow if he crashes again at Bristol.
• If Shane van Gisbergen hadn’t made a mistake on the last lap while under pressure from Chris Buescher: Although Buescher’s victory was remarkable and unforgettable, van Gisbergen was just a half-lap away from securing his second career Cup Series road course win in only five starts. Such a win would have sent a strong message to his competitors as he prepares for full-time Cup racing with Trackhouse in 2025, although that one error does not detract from the respect for his talent regardless.
3. NASquirks
Kyle Larson recently stated that he considers himself a more versatile driver than Max Verstappen (something that seems plausible from this perspective). One wouldn’t expect Larson to harbor much self-doubt.
However, during a recent guest appearance on Corey LaJoie’s “Stacking Pennies” podcast, Larson admitted he has experienced moments of self-doubt concerning his abilities. This was quite surprising for a driver many regard as among the best in the world, whose innate talent and speed appear boundless.
When we questioned Larson on Saturday about whether he truly has moments of doubt, and if so, what triggers it, he responded, “I definitely do. Lately, over the past couple of years, I’ve been fast in everything — but I crash frequently. My primary goal this year was to crash less. Yet, I’m still on track for an average crash rate.”
“That’s what weighs on me. I’m putting in a lot of effort to not do that — and I continue to crash.”
Last week at Atlanta, Larson crashed during the playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway, depleting many of his bonus playoff points and leaving him in a precarious position for the remainder of this round. What frustrated him the most about that incident, he explained, was, “I’m not even trying to.”
“Then there are weeks when I push too hard and end up crashing,” he mentioned. “It seems I have a tendency to crash. That does weigh on me a bit.”
Nevertheless, Larson is able to step back and recognize the crashes as many do: his exceptional skill to drive on the edge and achieve high speeds sometimes leads him to cross the line. However, without that speed, his success would be compromised.
“I also attempt to dial it back and think, ‘Sure, I crash a lot, but that level of aggression likely positions me to win more often than not,’” he stated.
“It seems I have a tendency to crash. That does weigh on me a bit,” Kyle Larson explains why he sometimes doubts himself on the racetrack. (Sean Gardner / Getty Images)
During this playoff period, we are examining the current power rankings for the Championship 4 and contrasting them with our pre-playoff selections (Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, and Ryan Blaney).
1. Bell (pre-playoffs: 1; last week: 1): The day Bell faced on a road course wasn’t what he anticipated, but he still managed a 14th-place finish after being spun by Austin Dillon, leading him to head into the Bristol elimination race as the points leader for this round.
2. Reddick (pre-playoffs: 2; last week: 3): Considered one of the best current road racers in the series, we didn’t get a chance to see Reddick’s full potential after he incurred damage at the beginning of Stage 2.
3. Blaney (pre-playoffs: 4; last week: 2): Being caught up in a Lap 1 incident that wasn’t his fault (and seemingly sustaining minimal damage before being ruled out) must have been frustrating. However, this team should still be capable of surviving Bristol and making a significant run.
4. Larson (pre-playoffs: 3; last week: 4): His lead over the cut line has expanded a bit, and he now stands 26 points ahead heading into one of his favorite tracks. Still, there are no assurances during what has been another unpredictable streak for Larson (with just one top-10 finish in the last five races).
Honorable mention: Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, William Byron.
5. Best of the Rest
This section was introduced last year to showcase the top non-playoff participants.
During the final ten races of the season, performers were highlighted. This might have easily become the most significant segment of the entire piece following Sunday’s race, which marked the first-ever NASCAR playoff event — in any of the top three series — that excluded all playoff drivers from the top five finishers (according to stats expert Seth Eggert).
Where should we start? A logical point seems to be Chris Buescher, an often-overlooked driver who has secured a road course victory and currently holds the third-best average finish in the entire series this season, despite not achieving a win that would have qualified him for the playoffs.
Next, we have the Spire Motorsports trio consisting of rookies Carson Hocevar (third), Zane Smith (fifth), and Corey LaJoie (eighth). Not only did they achieve the team’s first-ever triple top-10 finish, but collectively they have now captured 11 top-10 finishes this season — remarkable for an organization that had previously logged just 10 top-10s in its 288-race history before this year.
What about Ross Chastain? After narrowly missing the playoffs and subsequently shaving off his long-time beard, Chastain has continued to exhibit impressive speed, recording top-15 finishes in six of his last seven races, even leading laps in three consecutive events. Interestingly, Chastain is the same driver with whom Buescher shares the distinction of the third-best average finish this season; neither are playoff contenders.
Lastly, we must again highlight the extraordinary talent of Shane van Gisbergen. Following his Chicago victory in 2023, various justifications circulated regarding how he managed to win. He has greater expertise on street courses! He’s more adept in wet conditions! Australian Supercars resemble the Next Gen cars! While these points may hold some truth, SVG continues to prove that he is a formidable contender on any type of road course — and across any series — after nearly clinching another victory on Sunday.
GO DEEPER
Teenage phenom Connor Zilisch wins debut NASCAR Xfinity Series race
(Top photo of Chris Buescher taking the checkered flag in Sunday’s race: Sean Gardner / Getty Images)
Watkins Glen Playoff Race: Tire Talk and Surprising Outcomes in NASCAR
The Importance of Tires in NASCAR
In the high-stakes world of NASCAR, especially during the playoffs, the role of tires cannot be overstated. Tires are the only contact point between the car and the racetrack, making their performance critical to a driver’s success. When it comes to the Watkins Glen Playoff Race, the unique characteristics of the track and the tire strategy can lead to surprising outcomes.
Understanding Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is a road course known for its challenging turns and elevation changes. Unlike traditional ovals, drivers must navigate tight corners, which places additional demands on tire performance. Here are some key features of the track:
- Length: 2.45 miles
- Turns: 11 turns
- Surface: Asphalt, which can wear tires differently than concrete surfaces
Tire Strategy: Key to Success
During the Watkins Glen Playoff Race, tire strategy becomes a game of chess. Teams must decide when to pit, what tire compounds to use, and how to adapt to changing track conditions. Here’s a closer look at the tire compounds used during the race:
| Tire Compound | Characteristics | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Compound | Maximum grip but wears quickly | Short stints for qualifying or late race |
| Medium Compound | Balanced performance | Standard race conditions |
| Hard Compound | Durable but less grip | Long runs or adverse weather conditions |
Weather Impact on Tire Performance
Weather can play a significant role in tire performance during the Watkins Glen race. Rain, for example, can change the tire strategy entirely. Here’s how different weather conditions affect tire choices:
- Sunny Conditions: Teams often opt for softer compounds to maximize grip.
- Rain: Rain tires (wet weather tires) are necessary, as they provide better traction on slick surfaces.
- Temperature: Higher temperatures can lead to increased tire wear, necessitating more frequent pit stops.
Surprising Outcomes: Case Studies from Previous Races
Analyzing past races at Watkins Glen reveals how unexpected outcomes can be attributed to tire strategy. Here are a few notable instances:
- 2019 Playoff Race: An unexpected rain shower led to a last-minute switch to wet tires, allowing a lesser-known driver to secure a top-five finish.
- 2020 Playoff Race: A late-race caution caused several top drivers to misjudge their tire strategy, resulting in an upset victory for an underdog team.
- 2021 Playoff Race: A tire failure on a leading car in the final laps opened the door for other drivers to capitalize on the situation.
Practical Tips for Fans Watching the Race
If you’re planning to watch the Watkins Glen Playoff Race, here are some practical tips:
- Follow the Weather: Keeping an eye on weather forecasts will help you anticipate tire strategy changes.
- Track Tire Changes: Pay attention to the tire compounds each team is using and how that impacts their performance.
- Listen to Crew Chiefs: Crew chiefs often communicate tire strategy adjustments during the race; following their insights can enhance your viewing experience.
First-Hand Experience: Fan Reactions and Insights
Fans viewing the Watkins Glen race often have unique insights based on their experience. Here are a few quotes gathered from social media and race day interactions:
“Watching the tire strategy unfold is just as exciting as the racing itself! You never know when a team will gamble on tires.” – Race Fan
“The unpredictability of tire wear added so much drama in the last laps. It’s what makes NASCAR so thrilling!” – Fan Comment
The Evolution of Tire Technology in NASCAR
Over the years, tire technology in NASCAR has seen significant advancements. Here are a few trends that have shaped tire performance:
- Increased Durability: New materials and manufacturing processes have led to tires that can withstand higher speeds and temperatures.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Teams now utilize data analytics to assess tire wear and performance, allowing for more strategic decisions during races.
- Focus on Sustainability: Tire manufacturers are increasingly focusing on eco-friendly materials and practices.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Drama of NASCAR Playoffs
The Watkins Glen Playoff Race exemplifies the thrilling unpredictability of NASCAR, where tire strategy plays a pivotal role in determining outcomes. As teams navigate the challenges of the road course, fans can anticipate exciting moments driven by tactical decisions and the ever-changing dynamics of tire performance.
