Most drivers navigated the identical problem all through Sunday’s race, however the distinction was Truex was in the perfect place to catch Hamlin for the win. And it was shut – so shut.
Following an uncharacteristic spherical of inexperienced flag pit stops on the quick monitor, Truex emerged working second to Hamlin with 47 of 500 laps to go.
The 2 swapped the lead briefly battling lapped visitors however Truex knew he was getting near pushing his luck on how arduous he was working to catch Hamlin. Hamlin ended up taking the checkered flag 1.083 seconds forward of Truex.
“I suppose this tire administration factor suits into my wheelhouse right here at Bristol. Man, the distinction was simply popping out of the pits to this point behind Denny,” Truex stated. “I had to make use of mine up extra on the final run.
“I used to be proper on his bumper when he pitted and after I got here out, he was a straightaway forward of us and simply used my stuff up an excessive amount of to attempt to get there. The final 5 laps, my right-rear was corded. It was shut.”
Sunday’s race turned out to be a totally completely different affair with tires than final fall, which ended up serving to Truex to simply his third high 5 end on the monitor in 34 profession begins.
Excessive tire put on
Though Goodyear introduced the identical tire mixture to this race as was used final fall, for some cause the tire fall-off laid no rubber on the monitor, which resulted in extreme tire put on.
Halfway by means of the race, NASCAR allowed Goodyear to supply groups with one extra set of tires however with many groups solely capable of go between 47-50 laps earlier than creating issues, that compelled groups to tremendously alter the tempo of the race.
For a veteran like Truex, that became an surprising benefit.
“Early within the race, went means too arduous and realized your tires had been gone. After which, it’s like ‘Alright, we are able to’t run as arduous as we are able to.’ Simply had to determine how arduous you may push it and what sort of lap instances you may run all through the run,” Truex stated.
“Then we type of simply managed it from there. It was tough, actually, I barely pushed tougher there on that final run for 10 laps, and you realize, on the finish, I used to be right-rear corded.
“There’s a high-quality line and happily for us, we had a number of pace in our Toyotas at the moment and we had been capable of save tires and keep up entrance. That was the important thing.”
Sunday’s runner-up end continues Truex’s robust begin to the 2024 season. He has one high 5 and three high 10 finishes within the first 5 races and is third within the sequence standings heading into subsequent weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas.
“I gave it a hell of an effort,” Truex stated. “Our Toyotas are working rather well proper now. Had a number of enjoyable at the moment.”
