NASCAR veteran Kyle Busch expressed concern about tires for Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway after testing with Bubba Wallace and Todd Gilliland. Busch has already teased the next generation of race cars, and Goodyear’s new optional tires don’t take their word for it.
The new generation of cars was introduced to NASCAR to make racing more competitive, but several drivers complained that the engines’ power was not enough to encourage passing opportunities. The current alternative is to install additional short circuit tires, as NASCAR is currently opposed to increasing power despite moderate regulations.
The tire is designed to be faster early in a tank trip, but wears out faster than standard tires. While the tire has gotten a mixed response from NASCAR drivers, Busch doesn’t think it will be the best choice at Martinsville, a race that will determine the Championship 4 contenders.
“I don’t think the tire will necessarily be in great shape for Martinsville, and I say that because of the aerodynamic deficiencies,” Busch told reporters.
“I had 20 laps of fresher tires than Carson Hocevar and I wore them out and I was stuck behind him for 10 laps and it was tough to pass him.
“Certainly more waste, more opportunity there.” There’s still work to be done on the race car to improve it. So there may be some that can do it and some that can’t. It needs distance, handling, maneuvers and some passing things like that.
Busch isn’t the only driver to oppose NASCAR’s changes to the Cup playoffs, as Denny Hamlin complained about the next generation of race cars ahead of Round 12 at Talladega. “No, not at all,” Hamlin said, comparing his racing style in the next-generation car to the previous generation.
Hamlin added: “I’d like to feel like I had a big part in how the results turned out this weekend… The world is different these days. It’s more important where the Observatory takes you. “He can see the big picture and help you move in the right direction.”
