Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin used his abundant experience to his advantage and won the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway beating teammate Martin Truex Jr. It was a battle of who was able to manage the tires the best and produce the most efficient runs. But the extreme tire fall off due to the combination of Goodyear rubber and the resin applied on the track was chaotic.
Kyle Larson, who was one of the only five divers to finish the race on the lead lap, after the race gave his verdict on the pit-road chaos and the on-track product. He pointed out that it was a weird and interesting race. The HMS driver expected the rubber to laid down to the track, which unfortunately didn’t happen as the rubber continued to marble down on the track. Larson doesn’t want to be part of such race again.
It was weird and interesting. I thought some rubber was gonna be laid down, but after the second run, we realized that wasn't going to be the case. I hope I never have to run a race like that again. Larson said.
Kyle Larson seems to be concerned about the rubber marble that was forming laps after laps. After the race the track was on a quick glance was seem infested by seaweed. While NASCAR and most driver liked the tire wear, good year didn’t like the marbles. The race has proved that tire wear is the path towards fixing short-track racing issue for NASCAR.
The tire-wear was key to Denny Hamlin beating Kyle Larson and the rest of the grid
Hamlin after the race highlighted how important the tire wear factor was in his victory after the race. The JGR veteran grew up racing short tracks at South Boston and Martinsville, where tire wear was a major factor. Hence when the tire management became the key he knew he could win the race and it exactly happened.
That’s what I grew up here doing in the short tracks in the Mid Atlantic, South Boston, Martinsville. Once it became a tire management race, I really liked our chances. Obviously, the veteran in Martin, he knew how to do it as well.
Hamlin told Motorsports.
Contrary to Larson’s view Denny Hamlin didn’t seem to mind the marble effect and was impressed by how good the short-track racing has become with a quick fix. Both drivers have valid points and now its’s up to NASCAR and Goodyear to make the right choice.
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