Say what you mean about the tire experiment at Bristol, but it definitely delivered quite an exciting race. Leading into the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Goodyear brought in a new, soft right-side tire to cater to temperatures that cooled down significantly from afternoon highs into the 70s. To top that, quicker wear was prioritized, making tire management by drivers and crews a key variable. All of that set the stage for Christopher Bell’s dramatic win. However, now reflecting on the race, he dropped the hammer on his verdict of the tire situation.

Most teams walked into the race expecting business as usual. Practice had gone off without a hitch, tire wear looked minimal, and the assumption was that the race would be smooth sailing. Those expectations blew up almost immediately. Within the

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