Veterans Dominate Podium at Short Track Bristol Food City 500
Highlights
- Denny Hamlin clinches victory in a challenging NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway;
- Despite tire issues, Hamlin maintains control, leading 163 laps to secure his 52nd career win;
- Martin Truex Jr. briefly challenges Hamlin but succumbs to tire wear, settling for second place;
- Tire management proves crucial as Brad Keselowski claims third, with only five drivers finishing on the lead lap.
Bristol Motor Speedway witnessed a nail-biting NASCAR Cup Series event where strategic tire management proved to be the deciding factor. Three seasoned veterans clinched the top spots on the podium, with Denny Hamlin emerging victorious in Sunday’s highly anticipated Food City 500.
In a race marked by an unprecedented 54 lead changes, a new record for Cup Series short tracks, Hamlin faced stiff competition, briefly relinquishing the lead to his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Martin Truex Jr., in the final laps. However, displaying remarkable skill and tenacity, Hamlin maneuvered through traffic to reclaim his position and secure the checkered flag with a margin of 1.083 seconds over Truex.
Returning to concrete terrain after three consecutive spring races on dirt, Hamlin showcased his dominance once again at the 0.533-mile speedway, clinching his second consecutive victory at the venue and his fourth overall. His impressive tally places him second among active drivers, trailing only Kyle Busch, who boasts eight wins.
This triumph marked the 52nd career victory for Hamlin, solidifying his position as the 13th all-time winning driver and his first win of the current season.
However, amidst the celebration, the spotlight remained on the peculiar behavior of the tires throughout the race. Despite Goodyear supplying the same tire used without issue during last fall’s night race, the concrete surface failed to grip the rubber as expected. Instead, the corners saw the accumulation of marbles—small rubber balls from degraded tires—rendering the top lane of the track virtually impassable.
Several factors may have contributed to the unexpected tire challenges. The race day temperatures were notably cooler, ranging roughly 10-15 degrees lower compared to last year’s night race on September 16. Additionally, NASCAR opted for a different resin in the bottom lane, deviating from the previously utilized PJ1 traction compound.
Despite the adversity posed by the tire conditions, Hamlin’s extensive experience on short tracks proved to be invaluable, allowing him to navigate challenging circumstances with skill and finesse.
Next up, the Cup Series heads to Circuit of The Americas for its first road course race of 2024.
Article by AutomotiveWoman.com Editor, Juliana Chiovitti, aka @AutomotiveWoman online.
IMAGES: NASCAR
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