NASCAR in New Hampshire | Wet weather Tyres |Christopher Bell Victory

Weather Forecast and Potential Delays

The National Weather Service forecast suggests that Sunday’s USA TODAY 301 NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon could be delayed or postponed due to potential rain. The forecast indicates a 6% chance of precipitation at race time and an 82% chance at 6 p.m., an improvement from earlier predictions.

The race is not equipped with lights, so any delay could affect NASCAR’s ability to finish under natural sunlight. If the race is postponed, the start time for the race will be moved up from 2:30 p.m. ET.

Christopher Bell’s Victory

Christopher Bell, a Toyota driver from Joe Gibbs Racing, completed a wild and wet NASCAR weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with an overtime win in Sunday’s Cup race on rain tires. Bell, the winner of the Xfinity Series race on Saturday, overtook Chase Briscoe by 1.104 seconds after getting a strong start on an overtime restart.

Wet weather tyres were used for the last 77 laps of the race, which was the longest since NASCAR started using them on some oval tracks. On lap 242, Bell took the lead for the last time and managed to maintain it through five painful restarts. The victory is Bell’s third of the 2024 season and ninth of his Cup career. Josh Berry finished third, Kyle Larson fourth, and Chris Buescher rounded out the top five.

Race Highlights and Key Moments

Tyler Reddick appeared to have won the NASCAR Cup New Hampshire race by staying out after Stage 2, but NASCAR waited for a two-hour, 15-minute rain delay to dry the track. Reddick finished sixth, ahead of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and John Hunter Nemechek. Martin Truex Jr. rallied to ninth after a slow right-rear tire change at the start of the final Stage.

Reddick and Michael McDowell led the way with 108 laps remaining as the final Stage began. However, caution flags flew immediately when Logano pushed up the track and into Chase Elliott, sending the regular season points leader spinning. When the green flag came back on lap 200 and it started to rain, some 20 minutes away from the track, Reddick was leading McDowell and Larson. Kyle Busch spun around off Turn 4 and slammed into the inside retaining wall, bringing out a caution with Reddick still in the lead.

Bell’s Landmark Victory

Christopher Bell won the race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the first time. The race was a landmark event for Bell and NASCAR, as it was the third time wet weather tires were used on an oval track. Bell led 149 of the 305 laps in his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, finishing 1.104 seconds ahead of second-place Chase Briscoe.

At the Magic Mile, Josh Berry, Kyle Larson, and Chris Buescher followed him. Bell has won a NASCAR Cup Series race in difficult weather conditions before, including the Coca-Cola 600 earlier this season at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In New Hampshire, Bell won not once, but twice, at the 1.058-mile oval speedway in Loudon. He expressed his preference for adverse conditions because they encourage thinking outside the box.

Impact of Wet Weather Tires

The use of wet weather tires was a significant factor in the race, making it unpredictable and exciting. The sanctioning body made it compulsory for all drivers to run on these tires for the final stage, and the pitstops were not made competitive as it was the first time these tires had been used.

A number of drivers, including winners of the Cup Series, praised NASCAR for making a positive change in the sport. Drivers with dirt racing experience, like Kyle Larson, found it fun to drive with wet tires, while Chris Buescher noted that visibility was an issue towards the end but the tires worked well. It is safe to say that racing on ovals will no longer be a problem in wet conditions, making the racing more exciting.

Chase Briscoe’s Playoff Push

Chase Briscoe’s playoff push at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was marked by dramatic twists due to intermittent rain, requiring quick decision-making and resilience. His high-stakes duel with Christopher Bell showcased Briscoe’s resolve and strategic intelligence. Even if there are questions about Briscoe’s future at Stewart-Haas Racing, his commitment to the team and his recent results have given him new hope for the playoffs.

His preparation and quick decision-making were critical for his performance amid complex race conditions. Amidst Tony Stewart’s decision to sell Stewart-Haas Racing charters, Briscoe faces uncertainty about his future in the 2024 season. The uncertainty has significantly impacted his on-track performance, making it difficult to capitalize on strategic opportunities during races.