The 2024 NASCAR season has reached a critical point as the Cup Series heads to its second playoff venue this weekend at Watkins Glen. Excitement is building around this road course race, as teams, drivers, and fans eagerly await what the iconic track has in store. However, for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), the stakes couldn’t be higher. With Martin Truex Jr. and Ty Gibbs at risk of elimination and Denny Hamlin barely holding on, the race at Watkins Glen could determine the fate of JGR’s season.
While the challenge of the road course is daunting enough, NASCAR’s rules around option tires could make it even more difficult for teams to navigate the playoffs. The introduction of red tires has already shaken up the competition in its first season, and now, with the added pressure of the playoffs, teams face the tricky task of balancing both tire types. Joe Gibbs Racing star Christopher Bell, drawing from his own experience with these tires, has expressed concerns that tire issues could play a major role in the playoffs, especially after the troubles seen earlier in the season at Richmond.
Christopher Bell’s Warning of Potential Wrecks
This season has been riddled with crashes, flips, and various incidents on the racetrack, and the introduction of option tires hasn’t helped much, especially on rough surfaces like Talladega, Bristol, and Watkins Glen. These abrasive tracks cause the tires to wear out faster, leading to handling issues and increasing the chances of accidents.
Christopher Bell, one of JGR’s rising stars, spoke candidly about the challenges of option tires during the playoffs in an interview on *NASCAR LIVE*. He said, *“Before we even get to real racing—the real racing is in the Round of 8. We have three normal tracks where the best teams should rise to the occasion. But first, we’ve got to survive what could be a tire debacle at Bristol and Watkins Glen, and then we’ve got Talladega in the Round of 12. The Round of 12 gets better with Kansas and the Rovel, but Talladega is still in there. So we’ve just got to survive these early rounds.”
Bell’s concerns are well-founded, as JGR’s performance in the opening playoff race at Atlanta Motor Speedway was far from ideal. Veterans like Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin struggled, finishing 24th and 25th, respectively. Meanwhile, rookie Ty Gibbs managed to improve his position but still failed to make a significant impact, finishing 12th.
Amid these struggles, Christopher Bell’s performance stood out as a bright spot for JGR fans. The 29-year-old delivered an impressive fifth-place finish, continuing his strong form this season and positioning himself well to advance to the Round of 12. In contrast, his teammates face an uphill battle, as they must fight to avoid elimination in the coming races.
Bell’s Championship Ambitions
Despite the challenges JGR faces, Christopher Bell remains optimistic, with his eyes set firmly on the ultimate goal: the Championship 4 race. He’s determined to win the coveted NASCAR Cup for his team. When asked which racetrack he believes JGR has the strongest chance at, Bell confidently pointed to Phoenix, saying, *“Phoenix for sure. I mean, Phoenix is a long way away, and it’s hard to get there, but certainly this year the short tracks and flat tracks have been our bread and butter.”
This isn’t the first time Bell has voiced his concerns about NASCAR’s option tires. He’s been one of the most outspoken critics of the new tire experiment, questioning the impact it could have on the integrity of the sport. Earlier this season, Bell raised an important question about what makes a true champion, saying, *“What do we want the champion to be? Do we want the champion to be the best car, or do we want the champion to be the guy that struggled all race but saved a set of red tires and got lucky with a yellow flag?”
The Debate Around Option Tires
Bell isn’t the only driver with reservations about the option tires. Chase Elliott, the No. 9 driver for Hendrick Motorsports, also expressed mixed feelings about the tire rule. While he acknowledges some of the positives, Elliott doesn’t believe the option tires should be a major concern for drivers. He said, *“I can see both sides of the argument. On one hand, a softer tire could help improve the racing, but getting Goodyear to buy into having some tire failures is going to be a tough sell because it’s probably going to happen.”
With differing opinions from top drivers, the future of NASCAR’s option tires remains uncertain. As teams prepare for the upcoming race at Watkins Glen, all eyes will be on how well they manage the tire strategy and whether the concerns raised by Bell and Elliott will come to pass.
Your Thoughts?
What are your thoughts on NASCAR’s option tires? Do you think they will create more drama in the playoffs? And which team do you think will come out on top at Watkins Glen? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
