NASCAR’s Dirt Experts Steal the Limelight as New Hampshire’s Rainy Mayhem Puts Drivers’ Versatility to Test

NASCAR’s decision to bring in wet weather tires after the rain-delayed restart at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) turned out to be a brilliant call. Fans got to see the race go on for all 301 laps, teams were happy, and drivers, especially those with dirt racing backgrounds, had a blast. It was like a trip down memory lane to Bristol, where tire management was crucial. Back then, Goodyear was seen as the villain, but this time, they played the hero. For the drivers, the excitement was just the same.

Wet weather tires are not new in NASCAR. They were used at the start of the race at Richmond earlier this season. However, this was the first time wet weather tires were introduced mid-race, especially after a long red flag. This ingenious move by NASCAR has captivated the attention of two prominent insiders.

Analyzing the NHMS rain-soaked race

In their latest episode of “The Teardown” on Sunday, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi broke down the challenging conditions with great clarity. Jeff Gluck commented, “But I also do want to say that these wet weather tires also happen to put on a great show. I mean, it’s a really compelling show because they open up all sorts of options.” He noted how drivers like Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, and Christopher Bell adapted quickly, using different parts of the track to find the best lines, similar to their dirt racing days.

Jordan Bianchi highlighted an exciting moment, saying, “Especially that restart with Bell? Yeah. When he was passing guys on the top side there, that was incredible to watch. Like that is the epitome of driver skill.” This emphasized how the conditions showcased the drivers’ skills, making the race even more fascinating. Agreeing to the stance, Gluck added, “I love that, right?” to further appreciate tire management while reminiscing back on Bristol – where the stakeholders suffered high tire wear issues.

A huge step for NASCAR they called it, offering appreciation to everyone involved in making a race in wet weather conditions a possibility. What question was, for a long time dismissed as a no, witnessed ease in action, leaving drivers from dirt racing backgrounds to shine. One of them being Ricky Stenhouse Jr, who finished seventh from being 24th at the red flag. That being said, what do drivers have to say about their experience at NHMS?

Insights and reactions from drivers and NASCAR officials

Kyle Larson, who finished fourth, shared his excitement: “It was fun. I think that’s why you see a lot of the dirt racers kind of migrate to the front.” The HMS driver noted that even though it was a pavement race, the skills from dirt racing were crucial. On the other hand, the #17 RFK driver who didn’t come from a dirt racing background sounded a little less excited.

Chris Buescher, added, “Oh ultimately yeah (it was a success). I mean we’ve finished our race. I think it worked.” He pointed out that the tires played a key role in making the race a success.

The future JGR driver added, “They actually kept moisture in the track for a long period of time to where I think you would have seen the tire shine more in those conditions versus you know, all these cautions at the end, and us having to put three sets on to make sure that they weren’t blistering or really just peeling, but it worked. … We did pretty dang good and I’m not a dirt guy.” It’s quite clear that Buescher wasn’t so pleased. But the NASCAR official, Elton Sawyer felt elated at the success of wet weather tires.

The Senior Vice President of Competition praised the decision, stating, “Oh, we would have (had to call the race if we didn’t have wet-weather tires). We’d have been done with 82 laps ago… Kudos to our teams, our drivers, our owners, and especially Mr. (Jim) France for his vision.” He emphasized the importance of these tires in ensuring that the race could continue safely and entertainingly.

In conclusion, the “Bellweather” conditions in New Hampshire showcased NASCAR’s adaptability and innovation. The wet weather tires allowed for a thrilling race that highlighted the versatility and skill of the drivers, particularly those with dirt racing backgrounds.