Since an extraordinary incident at Bristol Motor Speedway in March 2024 that caused unprecedented tire wear, Goodyear and NASCAR have been unable to reproduce the same extreme tire conditions in subsequent tests. However, rumors are now circulating within the NASCAR Cup Series garage that Saturday night’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race could again feature aggressive tire wear concerns. Denny Hamlin, a prominent driver in the series, addressed these tire wear rumors on his Actions Detrimental Podcast this week, revealing that testing of the right-side tires intended for this race showed the compound deteriorating almost instantly under heavy loads.
Inside the Tire Wear Testing Process and its Results
Hamlin explained that Goodyear uses a specialized machine designed like a sandpaper belt to test how tires wear under pressure. For this weekend’s Bristol race, the tire subjected to the test reportedly shredded so severely that it damaged the equipment.
“They have this machine, apparently, that is like sandpaper. So, they slide this tire — anyway, there’s a tire that goes on this sand belt machine and checks the wear, how is this tire going to wear under certain loads? And apparently, they put on the Bristol right side tire, and it shredded into the machine immediately,”
Hamlin said.
“Like, it was so aggressive that it destroyed the machine. Like it just unraveled and got caught in the machine.”
Though Hamlin is a credible voice in the sport, he stressed that this story comes from secondhand sources rather than direct observation. He acknowledged the possibility that the severity of the tire’s failure in the test might have been exaggerated.
“That’s basically what I’m telling you, so this is not factual whatsoever,”
he noted.
“I’m telling you, now it didn’t come from Austin. Give me a break. My sources are far better than his.”
Factors Affecting Tire Performance Before Race Day
Goodyear has advised teams not to overinterpret this early test result because the tires used during the experiment were fresh off the assembly line and had not undergone the curing process that typically strengthens the rubber compound. Hamlin compared this curing to how super glue hardens over time, emphasizing the importance of this step for tire durability.
“Now, what Goodyear said to the teams that were like, ‘Whoa, what is that?’ They said, ‘Listen, the thing came right off the line.’ So, tires, rubber takes time to cure.,”
Hamlin said.
“So, what happens is once a tire comes off a production line, they usually try to let it sit for a certain amount of time. Because then the rubber will cure. Think of it like super glue. Super glue is liquid, and it will mold all around, but eventually that thing stiffens up over time, right? Same thing with rubber. I’m oversimplifying this quite a bit. And they said when we tested it, the tire came right off the line, and so that’s why it essentially melted in the machine.”
This leaves teams and fans uncertain about how the tires will actually perform during the 500-lap playoff elimination race, continuing the unpredictability that has characterized Bristol events following March 2024.
Hamlin’s Perspective on Potential Playoff Chaos
Coming off his 59th career NASCAR Cup Series victory at the Enjoy Illinois 300, Hamlin is already guaranteed a spot in the next playoff round. With his experience managing tire wear during high-stress races, Hamlin expressed enthusiasm for a challenging and chaotic tire situation in the upcoming contest.
“But either way, I’m all for team chaos this week. I hope we can’t run 50 laps. I just hope they have enough tires is going to be my thing,”
Hamlin stated.
If Bristol does experience high tire degradation during Saturday’s race, it could dramatically affect playoff drivers’ strategies and standings, potentially knocking out some contenders while allowing others to advance based on how well they adapt to tire challenges. Conversely, if tires hold up well, it could limit passing opportunities and reduce variability within the field, making it harder for drivers to improve their playoff positions.
What to Watch for in Saturday Night’s Bass Pro Shops Race
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race represents the final contest in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16, making the stakes especially high. The unknown level of tire wear will likely play a critical role in shaping race dynamics and outcomes. Teams must prepare for either extreme tire degradation or relatively stable conditions, each scenario demanding different approaches to pit strategy and tire management.
Given the unpredictable nature of tire performance at Bristol since the spring 2024 experiment, this race has the potential to generate significant playoff drama and shake up the leaderboard.
