Christopher Bell explains 'tire scaling' process ahead of New Hampshire race

With the importance of simulations in today’s NASCAR, Christopher Bell explained how drivers get the virtual tires just right. Or do they? Bell has been used by NASCAR this season to test out new tire compounds on short tracks. While we see intermediate and superspeedway tracks producing entertaining races, the smaller ovals lack competitiveness.

Earlier this season, NASCAR tested a new Goodyear tire for short tracks. That data was reviewed and the new tire is going to debut at New Hampshire this weekend. There was a planned test for a new splitter and short-track setup on Monday and Tuesday after the Crayon 301. However, that test has now moved to Richmond two weeks later due to the weather.

Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports spoke with Christopher Bell ahead of the Crayon 301. He broke down how NASCAR drivers help get the tires on the simulator as close to the real thing as possible. He also explained how sometimes, they don’t get it right.

“The simulation is, no matter how much data we have on the tire, it’s all an educated guess,” Bell said. “Whenever we go – we call it tire scaling. Whenever we go into the simulator and we try and make the tire feel realistic, it’s crazy how each driver will go in there and say, ‘hey yes, that feels right,’ and another driver will get in there and say ‘that doesn’t feel right at all.’ So, no matter how much data we have on a tire it’s all a complete guess.”

With a new tire for this weekend as a result of a Goodyear tire test a few months ago, how accurate are the simulation programs? Christopher Bell explains: pic.twitter.com/CIxEepARim

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 14, 2023

Christopher Bell is the defending winner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He’s going to try his best to retain the giant lobster.

Christopher Bell looking to win back-to-back lobsters

What is better than one lobster? Two. If Christopher Bell is able to snag a win this weekend, he will have just that. His 2022 run at the end of the year was impressive to say the least. He got himself into the playoffs. Then he rallied off four top-5 finishes between that win and the Texas playoff race.

After faltering in the playoffs, Bell rallied to win at the Charlotte Roval and make the final eight. Then, he was against the wall again at Martinsville. He won that race as Ross Chastain stole the show by riding the wall, and made it to the Championship 4.

With a win already under his belt this season, is New Hampshire where it all turns around? Bell was arguably the best and most consistent driver through the first 11 races of the year. However, since finishing P6 at Dover, it has been a struggle for Bell. This is the longest streak without a top-5 finish since his rookie year. It has been 11 races now and counting.

New Hampshire is the Magic Mile, after all. Will Christopher Bell find that magic again and rally ahead of the postseason?