Rain was on the agenda for the weekend up in New Hampshire. Damp conditions plagued both the Cup and Xfinity Series races, raining out both qualifying and practice sessions. Outside of a few minutes for Cup practice, the first time the cars hit the track was for their respective races. While the Xfinity Series started on the wet tire, the Cup Series finished on it. Through the unfavorable conditions, Christopher Bell managed to sweep the weekend. Also, he turned out to be NASCAR’s version of Tom Holland. Although NASCAR was able to get the cars on track this weekend, it did not come without a share of controversy. Time for frustration and overexuberance in this Overreaction Monday for the New Hampshire weekend.
NASCAR Giveth
Before getting to the criticisms of NASCAR, the governing body does need to be applauded for their efforts this weekend. Especially on Sunday, it would have been easy to let the rain ruin the race weekend. However, NASCAR got both races through their scheduled distances with the implementation of the wet tire. On Saturday, the Xfinity Series kicked off the SciApps 200 on the wet tire. After 10 laps of green flag action, the slicks were put back on for the remainder of the race.
Meanwhile, the USA Today 301 looked to be destined to fall short of 301 laps. As the radar showed rain nearing, the drivers picked up the intensity of the restarts to grab as much track position as possible. Ultimately, an early misting arrived and put the race on hold. Usually, this would have meant the end of festivities at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. However, not with the wet weather tires as an options.
While those argue NASCAR could have slapped the rain tires on before the first lightning strike to get 20-30 laps in, NASCAR waited out the cell before getting the cars back on track. In the end, NASCAR made the right decision in waiting. Despite the chaos and numerous cautions, the Cup race went the distance plus overtime.
NASCAR receives a lot of flack from fans and media alike. Most of the time, it is warranted. However, NASCAR should receive the appropriate phrase when they do something good. The implementation of wet weather tires on small ovals has been a revolutionary idea. No one would believed it possible 5 years ago. Now, it is a part of the sport. Credit to NASCAR.
NASCAR Taketh Away
With all of that said, welcome to Soviet NASCAR everyone. When the track is damp, the teams lose their freedom. Want to change to slicks or even get new wet tires? No, that is not the teams’ decision anymore. NASCAR knows when your car needs tires. Everyone has to be the same; no strategy allowed. All hail mother NASCAR!
Communist jokes aside, it is ludicrous that NASCAR goes as strict as they do with the wet tire situation. Other motorsports allow for teams to decide freely what to do with a drying track, why not NASCAR? Sure, an oval might complicate things a bit. But, this is not NASCAR’s first rodeo with the wet tires on an oval. The “this is new” excuse does not hold water anymore. Sunday marks the third time in Cup that the wet weather tires have been utilized on an oval. At this point, NASCAR should know what to expect from the tires. The teams certainly know as well.
It is baffling that NASCAR will not allow the teams to implement their own strategy once the wet tires are on. What are they worried is going to happen? Carnage? With their governing hand on the levies of strategy, the USA Today 301 saw 14 cautions. 8 of those came after Stage 2, once the threat of rain started to loom. After the wet tires were put on, 6 cautions flew during the final 76 laps of racing. Would allowing teams to decide if and when to put on slicks really be worse?
Attempting to Understand
When it comes to a damp track, a huge selling point for the entertainment is the strategy. Attempting to figure out who will be the first to try the slicks and seeing if it works. Meanwhile, wondering how long others will stay on the damp tire. Even without the change to slicks, there is an appeal to watching a driver with fresh wet tires attempt to comb their way through a field of older tires. One of the best races of this year came down to tire management and how drivers could handle their equipment. That should be the appeal of the wet weather tire as well.
Instead, NASCAR unilaterally decides when teams can change their tires. It is one thing for NASCAR dictating which tire type each team runs, but why can teams not change old wets out for new ones? That is truly baffling. Before NASCAR brought everyone down pit road to change into new wet tires, Kyle Larson felt he needed to pit due to his right rear tire. From what the broadcast said, it seemed that NASCAR told the 5 team that they could change their tires only if the right rear was actually flat. Which brings up a great question: what would be the penalty if not? If that penalty is severe, NASCAR would rather have a driver flat spot his tire (and potentially wreck out) then let him change the tires. Why?
One Caveat
While this whole wet tire fiasco is unneeded drama for NASCAR, one thing that does make sense is the lack of competitive pit stops. With a damp pit road, the potential for harm to the crew members is too high for live pit stops to take place. Pit road is a place where limits are pushed. Adding moisture to that equation could see cars slide more or crew members slip. When crew members are inches away from moving vehicles, traction is key.
Now, could NASCAR do more to get pit road competitively ready? Probably, especially since the track does not need as much attention with the wet tires. Still though, the safety of the pit crews is more important than having live pit stops.
However, that should not be a crutch that NASCAR uses to keep their overreach into tire strategy. It would be quite simple to say pit stops are noncompetitive, so the running order of who pits remains the same after the pit stop is over (under yellow). However, those who pit will lose their spots those who stayed on track. Under green flag conditions, NASCAR could implement a time minimum to ensure safety while cars are pitting.
Championship Four Favorite & Secret Teller
Every handful of races, there is a new driver who enters the conversation as a Championship Four favorite. To start the season, that centered around William Byron. Then Denny Hamlin had his turn. More recently, Brad Keselowski looked to be a threat. Now, Christopher Bell takes center stage.
Bell picked up the sweep this weekend at New Hampshire, with him dominating the Cup Series race. Dry or damp conditions did not matter to Bell, that 20 car was fast. Although, his lead with the damp tires did not feel as safe when Ryan Blaney and Josh Berry seemingly were closing in on him at different points. Still, Bell ties his career high in wins with 3 through the first 18 races of the season.
Christopher Bell is on a streak of 5 straight Top-10s, including his 2 wins. This good stretch extends through the past 7 races, where he has 6 Top-10s with a worst finish of 13th. Currently, Bell has the second most playoff points and is tied with the most Top-10s (11). On-paper, the argument for Bell in the Championship Four is strong. If you include that he is the only driver to make the Championship Four in both NextGen seasons, it is difficult to form a strong counter against him being there.
20 Team Luck
However, speed has never been the issue for the 20 team. Rather, the mistakes or misfortunes always seem to strike at inopportune times. While Bell is tied for the most Top-10s, he had a 4-race stretch earlier where he failed to finish in the Top-10. During that stretch, he had 2 DNFs and all but one of those finishes were outside the Top-30. Casting back to last year, Bell became the first Championship Four driver to suffer a mechanical failure in the championship race. Will the performance (or luck) match the speed?
Based on where Bell has thrived this season, you would likely consider him the favorite if he makes it to Phoenix. However, that is not a certainty, especially with the 20 team and the odd playoff structure this year.
Also, do not tell Christopher Bell any of your secrets. He might reveal to the world what it is depending on the right question being asked. In completely unrelated news to what Bell blurted Friday, Joe Gibbs Racing has an announcement scheduled this week.
