When NASCAR brought the race at New Hampshire to a screeching halt due to rain with 82 laps left, it was like someone threw a wrench into the works. They had rain tires ready, but restarting the race after a two-and-a-half-hour delay caused a whirlwind of confusion among crew chiefs and drivers. This was uncharted territory for NASCAR, as the rain tires provided an edge, allowing them to resume racing without waiting for the track to dry completely.

However, it also flipped the race on its head, benefiting some drivers like Josh Berry and Christopher Bell, while others like Gragson and Bubba Wallace struggled to keep up. The real kicker? Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehart, didn’t hold back on the “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour” podcast, voicing his frustration with the way NASCAR handled the situation. So, was NASCAR’s decision to base their victory on the final 82 laps really fair?

A wild ride of views left uncensored is criticism at its best

On the “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour” podcast, Chris Gabehart, crew chief of the No. 11 car, didn’t mince words. He described the chaotic scene as he and his team awaited updates from NASCAR. “I’m living as the leader of the 11. What’s next? When’s it going to happen?” Gabehart recounted. “You get the sense that they’re not sure… We’re not playing anymore. This is for real, right?” The confusion was palpable as they navigated the unprecedented situation of using rain tires in a Cup race.

Harvick himself noted the erratic communication, asking whether it was television or NASCAR’s actual directives causing the confusion. Gabehart confirmed that it was indeed NASCAR, explaining how he and his spotter were trying to keep up with the real-time decisions.

As the race resumed, the logistical hurdles were immense. Gabehart detailed how they had to quickly adjust their strategies without a clear precedent to follow. “We haven’t lived it yet, right? So really just getting through the logistics of all that was obviously unprecedented,” he said. This lack of clear direction created a sense of unease among the teams, who were left scrambling to adapt to the rapidly changing conditions. The uncertainty surrounding the tire changes and race strategy put the teams on high alert, making the race a high-stakes gamble.

Transitioning into the aftermath, Gabehart expressed his frustration with the final decision to award the win based on the last 82 laps. “We opened Richmond that way and we ran a heat race at North Wilkes-Barrel that way, but you realize they’re getting ready to hand out a cup race win,” he noted, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

The crew chiefs and drivers were left questioning the fairness of the verdict, as the rain tires dramatically altered the race dynamics. To further substantiate the concerns of the ace crew chief, it begs us to take a little detour in our memory lanes to the NHMS race.

Controversial call or a necessary adaptation?

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NASCAR’s choice not to call off the race despite the rain led to significant changes in driver standings once the race resumed. Christopher Bell, who was ninth when the race was paused, ultimately took the win. The delay and the introduction of rain tires shuffled the deck, with five drivers from outside the top 20 managing to finish in the top 10.

Notable movers included John Hunter Nemechek, who climbed 23 spots to finish eighth, and Chase Briscoe, who surged 21 positions to claim second place. Martin Truex Jr and Josh Berry also made significant gains, finishing ninth and third, respectively, while Ricky Stenhouse Jr moved up 17 spots, finishing 7th.

The decision to resume the race with rain tires, while innovative, left a trail of controversy. Josh Berry, benefiting from the conditions, acknowledged the advantage, saying, “We knew typically on the road courses and even the ovals that we’ve ran in the rain we’ve been pretty good truthfully.” Meanwhile, drivers like Gragson and Bubba Wallace felt the impact negatively, their positions suffering as a result. Wallace, in particular, had a tough time navigating the wet track, ultimately finishing far from where he started.

Gragson reflected, “I just lacked grip. Super loose all the way around the track. Must’ve hit the paint on entry to (Turn) 1, and not intentionally by any means with the 23 (Bubba Wallace). Just a mistake on my part. It was unfortunate and I apologize to the 23 guys for ruining their day.” The wreckage resulted in “Bubba tantrums” that saw him parking his car in front of Gragson.

This polarizing decision by NASCAR has left fans and teams divided. On one hand, the rain tires allowed for a quicker resumption of the race, adding an element of unpredictability and excitement. On the other, it raised questions about fairness and whether the outcome truly reflected the drivers’ skills and strategies. As the dust settles, the debate continues: Was NASCAR’s move a brilliant adaptation to the weather, or did it unfairly tilt the race in favor of some drivers? What do you think?