Bowman Claims Second Pole Amid Tire Wear Concerns at Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Alex Bowman secured his second pole position of the NASCAR season on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway, clocking in at 128.675 mph. He will start first in Sunday’s race, followed by Brad Keselowski, who qualified second with a lap of 128.563 mph. Kyle Larson (128.511 mph) and Denny Hamlin (128.460 mph), who is aiming for his third consecutive Cup win, qualified third and fourth, respectively. Ryan Blaney rounded out the top five with a speed of 128.305 mph.

This weekend’s race poses unique challenges for drivers as they anticipate significant tire wear similar to the previous spring race, which witnessed 16 different leaders and a record 54 lead changes. “I think all signs point to a race like the spring,” said pole-winner Alex Bowman, referencing the cold temperatures expected during the race.

During practice, drivers experienced rapid tire degradation, with many cars showing signs of cording after only 35 laps. “A lot of guys had cords after 35 laps, so that’s gonna be really important,” Blaney explained, emphasizing the need for tire management over the race’s 500 laps.

NASCAR officials responded to the concerns by allowing Goodyear to supply teams with an additional set of tires, raising the total available to 11 sets for the race. “That should help us avoid some of the pitfalls we encountered during last spring’s race,” said Denny Hamlin. Drivers will need to strategize carefully to manage their tire consumption throughout the race.

Hamlin noted the unpredictability of the tire conditions, stating, “Truthfully, I wouldn’t have expected it, but certainly it looks like the formula is striking again. It’s going to be an interesting race.” Meanwhile, Kyle Larson expressed his uncertainty about tire performance, pointing out, “I won’t be surprised if it lays rubber. You kind of got to be ready for everything.”

Joey Logano faced difficulties during his qualifying attempt, making contact with the wall. He described the experience, saying, “I was just having to push it hard trying to make a fast lap. I got a little bit down on that apron and hit the wall.” Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about Sunday’s race.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who starts second, raised concerns about race cautions, reflecting on his experience from last spring’s event. “Just figuring out how they’re going to police that will be the biggest thing,” he said. Last spring, the race averaged a caution every 41 laps before a streak of 121 caution-free laps at the finish.

As cooler temperatures and tire wear challenges loom, teams are tasked with navigating the complex strategy needed to survive the demanding Bristol Motor Speedway. The drivers are prepared for what promises to be another remarkable race filled with uncertainty.