From Denny Hamlin to Josh Berry, NASCAR Drivers With Short Track Roots Stood Up to Goodyear’s Bristol Challenge

For the most recent Cup race, the Bristol track was modified to enhance the overall racing experience. But on the opposite, teams had to deal with lots of damaged Goodyear tires. Despite all the wild stuff that happened throughout the race, NASCAR’s old-school short-track racers like Denny Hamlin and Josh Berry showed off their skills by speeding, blocking, and passing, all the while showcasing great tire management. As these vintage talents dominated the racing circuit, true racing fans couldn’t help but proclaim, “This is what short-track racing is all about.”

Old-school short-track drivers dominated Bristol’s short-track

There have been high-octane races everywhere from superspeedways to short tracks since NASCAR’s Next Gen cars rolled out in 2022. This is precisely what drivers have been looking for since the unveiling of the vehicle, regardless of the ongoing debate over horsepower. With countless nerve-racking blocking moves and fierce struggles for track position, the recent race on Bristol’s concrete saw Old-school stars like Denny Hamlin delight attendees with their heart-pounding displays.

While speaking on ‘The Teardown’, Motorsport writer Jordan Bianchi said, “That, that is classic short track racing. And the funny thing is is you talk to everybody after the race, whether it was a chase, Elliott, Denny Hamlin. Chris Gabart, Matt mccall, all of these guys have one thing in common. They’re all old school short track guys who come from that Realm. And they all loved it.” For all those who had believed that NASCAR had lost something in recent years, this event truly revived that charm.

While several drivers had their fair share of spark in Bristol, according to Bianchi, Denny Hamlin’s perseverance turned out to be among the top highlights of the race. While describing a moment of Bristol victor’s racing, he said, “Denny Hamlin said today there was times that Ty Gibbs caught him and he was racing for the lead. He’s like, you know what? This is not the time I’m gonna let him go and I’m gonna save my stuff and let Ty burn up his stuff and then I’m gonna get him at the end of the run. That’s old-school NASCAR racing. That, that is classic short track racing.”

No doubt, the show heated up with so many top performers in a single event. But the way the #11 JGR driver raced to victory despite Bristol’s uninvited tire destruction, he made it arguably one of his standout performances of this season.

Denny Hamlin stole the victory show in Bristol’s Concrete Coliseum

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In comparison to his earlier victory in Bristol’s Night Race, Denny Hamlin’s path at this Sunday’s race was much different. This time, the “concrete” track greeted drivers after three years of dirt racing. Tire management and strategy became crucial factors early on, with excessive tire wear posing a challenge. Because of the tough conditions, the race saw a new record of 54 lead changes.

The dramatic finale came down to Hamlin reclaiming the lead in traffic and eventually crossing the finish line 1.083 seconds ahead of teammate Martin Truex Jr. This victory marked his second consecutive win at Bristol’s 0.533-mile speedway and his fourth overall on the track.

As Hamlin and other old-school short-track drivers get ready for the next races, fans can’t wait for more of such classic performances, filled with so much adrenaline rush.

Read More: Denny Hamlin Happy With Separation on the Track as Goodyear Forces Driver to Stand Out