There was certainly a lot of action this past weekend during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, but there were also a lot of blown tires, leaving many in the NASCAR world to wonder what the sport plans to do about the problem.
It’s unclear exactly why so many cars were having tire issues this past weekend. While it’s not a new problem, it was compounded on Sunday when at least seven drivers had tire issues. Given the impact that could have on playoff implications, it’s a major deal.
Christopher Bell even had two separate issues and was concerned about how little time he had once vibrations started before he knew the tire would fail.
“We’re going to be in a deep hole,” Bell said.
Chase Elliott felt the same.
“When it started coming apart, I was already out of shape,” Elliott said. “I already was on corner exit. So it was just a bad place for it.”
NASCAR officials claim they’re still figuring out why the Goodyear tires that everyone uses are having problems.
“We’re all learning about the setups, the tires, Goodyear is learning about the [new tire] construction, the new [18-inch] wheel,” NASCAR Senior Vice President Scott Miller said.
“It’s an unfortunate part of a learning process. The ones that didn’t have any problems admitted being on the conservative side with all the things that are difficult on tires. They make speed, but they’re difficult on tires.”
Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin didn’t mince words about why there are issues and how little faith he has in NASCAR figuring it out.
If your thinking that maybe NASCAR will look into someone else for tires, keep dreaming. GY pays them a fat check so they are allowed to gouge the teams each week.
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) September 26, 2022
“If your [sic] thinking that maybe NASCAR will look into someone else for tires, keep dreaming,” wrote Hamlin. “GY pays them a fat check so they are allowed to gouge the teams each week.”
The NASCAR world had some strong reactions to Hamlin’s tweet.
— Steve Benko (@SteveBenko) September 26, 2022
I'm by no means a Hamiln fan but it's damn nice someone said it! https://t.co/4NBJDb5gnz
— Alex Clubb (@Alex_Clubb_3) September 26, 2022
We need a driver's union. https://t.co/oV7tc0BjYM
— Faith (@RoseOfWindsong) September 26, 2022
I'm almost hesitant to say it, but eh, why the hell not.
We've seen the videos of NASCAR during the tire war years with Hoosier. A tire war can be a big negative.
But they force tire companies to make products better than their competitors.
Could #NASCAR use a new tire war? https://t.co/TV55lzFDQO
— Christopher DeHarde (@CDeHarde) September 26, 2022
We’ll see if NASCAR makes any changes before this weekend’s race or in the future or if Hamlin ends up being pretty spot-on in his assessment.
