NASCAR insider reveals massive change for Watkins Glen race in Playoffs

Only one more race stands between the Cup Series and the NASCAR Playoffs, but there appears to be a curveball or two waiting. That first round of the postseason will not be easy for anybody.

Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and Bristol open up the NASCAR Playoffs. While Atlanta and Bristol leap off the schedule, everyone understands how difficult those two races are, Watkins Glen is laying low.

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So, what is going to make The Glen more difficult? According to Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic on The Teardown podcast, a tire change.

“Again, if you look at how the playoff schedule is laid out, it’s not easy because Atlanta is going to be really tough. Sounds like there may be a different tire compound, by the way, at Watkins Glen, and I’ve heard it might have a lot of wear, which could really be a huge curveball.”

A new tire for Watkins Glen? That would be a big change. NASCAR has been testing out softer tire compounds on short tracks. Will a new compound help the road course racing product as well? I think that it would.

Road courses are the perfect kind of race to use the “prime” and “option” tires. Give these teams some choice, let’s see which crew chief can put together the best strategy. The more variables with this Next Gen car, the better.

The NASCAR Playoffs are going to be a wild ride. Superspeedway in Atlanta to road course at Watkins Glen, and then an elimination race at Bristol. The pressure is only going to get more intense over the final 11 weeks of the season.

Field for NASCAR Playoffs almost set

There is only one more race until the 16 driver field is set for the NASCAR Playoffs. Last night was the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona. It provided an epic upset with Harrison Burton taking the win over Kyle Busch.

Burton popped the bubble for a number of drivers. Chris Buescher and Bubba Wallace are fighting over the final playoff spot, separated by only 21 points with Ross Chastain only six points behind Wallace. Any of them could make it on points or with a win this weekend.

Let’s not pretend that Ty Gibbs is out of the woods. 39 points is a comfortable cushion, but if he gets an early issue, goes down a lap or wrecks out of the race prematurely, he could find that cushion erased.

The NASCAR Playoffs are almost here. We have one more week of the regular season. Then Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and Bristol will decide who makes it to the second round. If you aren’t already hyped for the postseason, you better start getting ready!