Ricky Stenhouse Jr. recently detailed the challenges drivers faced with tire management during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Sharing insights into his tire strategy, Stenhouse Jr. explained how tire wear impacted his performance and influenced key decisions throughout the race.
The discussion took place during an interview on the Motorsport Report show and was later shared in a brief clip by Garage Guy Chase on Instagram. Stenhouse Jr. broke down the strategy behind managing tires at Bristol, emphasizing the unique difficulties encountered during the event.
Insights into Tire Management during the Bristol Race
At Bristol, Stenhouse Jr. said his team qualified strongly and remained near the front early on. He mentioned,
“I think we qualified well, stayed up in the front, on that green flag run to start the race made it 60 laps on our tires, and not many people did, so we were only gonna pit once in that first stage, in that car, and then Austin came out, it was really just a bad timed caution for us,”
Stenhouse Jr. explained.
Despite maintaining a good position in Stage 1, Stenhouse Jr. faced setbacks that affected his tire supply later in the race. He continued,
“When all was said and done, we finished that 1st stage in 9, kind of on par and where we needed to be, and then all of a sudden, we get spun and then we were down a set of tires, and then we had to stay out one time, and then we got spun again, anytime you spin and you’re trying to keep it off the wall, you’re killing your tires, and so we just ran out of tires; we were just one short from everybody else.”
The tire strategy at Bristol proved crucial, as managing long green flag runs and avoiding cautions had a direct effect on Stenhouse Jr.’s race track position and overall resilience during the event. Though he finished tenth in Stage 1, the spins and tire shortages limited his competitiveness in the subsequent stages.
At the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 13, 2025, Stenhouse Jr. finished 22nd, a result hindered by an incident with Bubba Wallace on Lap 354, during which he lost valuable track position. Despite leading for five laps, he could not recover effectively after the spin.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Addresses Transfer Rumors Amid Playoff Challenges
With the NASCAR playoffs approaching, speculation arose about whether Ricky Stenhouse Jr. would switch teams for the 2026 season. Reports suggested a potential move to Spire Motorsports to replace Justin Haley, fueled by Stenhouse Jr.’s struggles with HYAK Motorsports throughout 2025.
In response, Stenhouse Jr. firmly denied these rumors in a SiriusXM NASCAR Radio interview, citing his existing commitment highlighted by his contract extension signed the previous year. He stated,
“We redid my contract last year with HYAK motor sports, and you know, so I’m here through 26, and unless they tell me otherwise or unless we redo another one and stay there for longer. I got a great group of guys who work hard, and we all want the same thing. So I’ll be at the 47, you know, the rest of this year and the off-season and going into 26.”
Despite confirming his future with HYAK, the 2025 season has been difficult for Stenhouse Jr. He missed qualification for the Cup Series playoffs after finishing 30th in the Darlington race, the final event before the cutoff. This means Stenhouse Jr. will not be competing for the championship this year.
Implications of Tire Strategy and Team Stability for Stenhouse Jr.’s Future
The insights Stenhouse Jr. shared about tire strategy at Bristol spotlight the fine margins drivers and teams manage to stay competitive in high-pressure NASCAR events. Tire wear and pit timing can dictate race outcomes, especially on demanding tracks like Bristol Motor Speedway.
Looking ahead, Stenhouse Jr.’s affirmation of his loyalty to HYAK Motorsports indicates stability amid a challenging season. Although not contending for the playoffs this year, the driver’s focus on continued teamwork and preparation for the 2026 season suggests determination to improve in future races.
As NASCAR progresses, maintaining effective tire strategies and strong team dynamics will be central to Stenhouse Jr.’s efforts to climb back into championship contention. His experience at Bristol and candid reflections offer valuable lessons not only for his own crew but for fans and analysts following the sport.
