NASCAR takes heat for controversial decision not to race on rain tires at New Hampshire

NASCAR is taking heat for not allowing drivers to use rain tires for the New Hampshire Cup Series race that has been stopped due to rain. Mike Forde, a spokesperson for NASCAR, explained on social media why the organization does not want drivers to use the tires.

“For clarity’s sake, when it comes to ovals, these cars do not have wipers or flaps,” Forde wrote on X. “NASCAR has been consistent on not racing on ovals if there’s rain and/or the track could have spray for safety purposes.”

This led to fans sounding off on X. One person wrote: “I’m not a fan of NASCAR racing in the rain, never have been. However, if you’re going to parade, and flaunt the ability to be able to race on a damp track, but then not use the tires when the conditions are perfect for them, just get rid of them. Spend the [money] elsewhere, move on.

NASCAR looking at the rain tires pic.twitter.com/h5q1a6Rd2E

— Justin Champagne (@ChampagneRacin) June 23, 2024

It's really frustrating. Just gave up on the Coke 600, and now sits on rain tires at New Hampshire. #NASCAR https://t.co/E5W38H0yes

— Nick DeGroot (@ndegroot89) June 23, 2024

I don’t understand making these tires if your never gonna use them. We had a good 30 min window til it got bad for visibility and even then if you knew the rain was coming why not just put the wipers on there for that it makes zero sense #NASCAR #NASCARCupSeries pic.twitter.com/PD3Jpg8o75

— DrewDaro18 (@Daro18Drew) June 23, 2024

Another person wrote: “NASCAR is so full of s***. You create a Mickey Mouse championship format and create circumstances where undeserving drivers win all the time. Put the damn rain tires on and let them go. No reason not to just because it is later in the race.”

What TF is the point of a rain/wet weather tire if you don’t use them…. So dumb 🙄#nascar

— Chloe Phillips (@chloe_victoria) June 23, 2024

If NASCAR was never intending to use the wet weather tire then why did they not call the race as soon as it went red due to rain? Lmfao what a joke. Making everyone wait and wasting everyone's time

— Ems (@emsvictorya) June 23, 2024

Jeff Gluck of The Athletic seems to have the same feelings as most NASCAR fans when it comes to using the rain tires or not.

Look, I'm listening to the booth's arguments against using these tires in this scenario. But if that's the case…then just call it. It's over then. Why is everyone waiting? Either use the tires or call it. No? What am I missing? Waiting while there could be racing seems crazy.

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) June 23, 2024

Denny Hamlin wanted the race to continue because he was in third place before the red flag came out. In an interview with NBC Sports, Hamlin talked about rain preventing him from getting back the lead.

“Just need more time there,” Hamlin said. “At this point, you’re kind of second-guess like, ‘Which lane did I choose? How do I approach the corners? How could I make up more time?’ It’s going to be a tall task for us to get back to the front with just a few green-flag laps, but we had a few good restarts and a few mediocre ones. Right now we’re third, so it’s frustrating.”

Hamlin also talked about the approach to the race when everyone knows rain is on the way. Everyone knows rain is imminent, so you’re just trying to do everything you can to gain any spot,” he said. “…If they can just get up front, they can control the pace and it’s going to make a lot easier. We’re all battling as hard as we can because we know it’s just a matter of time.”