Championship-caliber drivers and engineers converged at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this week for a pivotal Goodyear tire test. With the “Magic Mile” returning to the NASCAR Playoffs for the first time since 2017, Tuesday’s session gave three playoff-bound teams—Toyota’s Christopher Bell, Chevrolet’s Ross Chastain, and Ford’s Joey Logano—a critical chance to gather early data for a track that could shape the Round of 12. But beyond tire compounds and lap charts, the session stirred deeper meaning for those behind the wheel.
Key Highlights
-
Goodyear tire test held Tuesday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
-
Test participants: Christopher Bell (Toyota), Ross Chastain (Chevrolet), Joey Logano (Ford)
-
NHMS returns to NASCAR Playoffs for first time since 2017, now opening the Round of 12.
-
All three drivers are already locked into the 2025 NASCAR Playoffs.
-
Each driver brings different experience and history to the Loudon layout.
Christopher Bell Embraces Playoff Return for His Best Track
Christopher Bell made no effort to hide his enthusiasm about Loudon’s return to the playoffs. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has won twice at New Hampshire and carries confidence to match.
“Well, I definitely like it being in the playoffs, for sure. I love this racetrack. It’s statistically, I think my best track on the schedule, and with it being later on in the year, putting it in the playoffs is really, I mean, it’s good for me, so I’m all for it. Let’s crown a champion here.” – Christopher Bell
Bell’s No. 20 Toyota GR Supra turned laps as part of a long day focused on tire wear, surface grip, and longitudinal data. As the only multi-time winner among Tuesday’s group, Bell heads into the postseason with a sense of familiarity and ownership over the one-mile oval.
His experience could prove critical once the Round of 12 begins. With New Hampshire serving as the first race in that segment, a win there would guarantee advancement. It’s a scenario that could favor Bell more than any other current playoff driver.
Ross Chastain’s Redemption Drive
Ross Chastain doesn’t share Bell’s record at Loudon, but the Trackhouse Racing driver is working to change that. He admits New Hampshire has long been one of his most difficult tracks—something he told his crew chief before their partnership even began.
“Yeah, it’s big (to test at NHMS). I got to my crew chief now, Phil Surgen, for the 2021 Cup Series season and told him ahead of the season that New Hampshire was my worst track. I’d had one of my biggest crashes to date here with a popped right front tire a long time ago in the Xfinity Series, and I just didn’t feel ever confident with any of the cars.” – Ross Chastain
The Florida native praised Surgen’s work in helping him adapt. Chastain has since posted top-10 caliber runs but remains on the hunt for a breakthrough. His recent Coca-Cola 600 win validated the No. 1 team’s progress in 2025, but the Loudon test gave them a focused environment to build further.
“So big priority on the car and me for these two days as well as just capturing all the data for all the engineers to figure out.” – Ross Chastain
For Chastain, Tuesday wasn’t just a test—it was a full reset on a track he’s long struggled to tame.
Joey Logano’s Homecoming Circuit
Few drivers have as rich a history with New Hampshire Motor Speedway as Joey Logano. The 2009 Loudon race was his first Cup win. Nearly two decades later, he still feels the energy each time he rolls through the tunnel.
“Coming here for a race weekend, I love it. I always say I feel like Dale Jr. when I come up here ’cause it’s about the only track I don’t get booed, and it’s freaking awesome.” – Joey Logano
The Middletown, Connecticut native treats Loudon as a de facto home track. Beyond race results, it’s a place filled with childhood memories, firsts, and family moments.
“This is where I fell in love with the sport. It was right here.” – Joey Logano
Despite being the defending Cup Series champion, Logano hasn’t always been a dominant force at Loudon. Still, with Team Penske’s data-rich strategy and Goodyear’s experimental compounds in play, the No. 22 team now has a new notebook for when it counts in the fall.
His only wish? That the track hosted two races a year again.
New Hampshire’s New Role in the Championship Chase
While Goodyear tire tests are generally held in controlled, data-focused conditions, this week’s session carried extra weight. New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s return to the playoff calendar—its first postseason appearance since 2017—changes the complexion of the championship run.
By opening the Round of 12, the Loudon race becomes a tone-setter. A strong result there could ease pressure for the following rounds. A poor finish could immediately put a contender on the bubble.
Tuesday’s test allowed three top-tier teams to gain insights into tire degradation, track temperature sensitivity, and car balance on the unique one-mile oval. With temperatures and grip levels expected to vary significantly from summer to fall, this early test may end up being one of the most valuable preseason investments made by any playoff organization.
Manufacturers also gained visibility into how their cars respond at a track that often requires mixed driving styles—part short-track aggression, part intermediate-style finesse. And for Goodyear, the session offered a chance to fine-tune tire construction for a layout that historically puts pressure on right fronts and rewards corner exit stability.
News in Brief: NASCAR Drivers’ Take on Goodyear Tire Test
Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, and Joey Logano participated in a Goodyear tire test at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Tuesday, preparing for the track’s first NASCAR Playoffs appearance since 2017. Each driver represented a different manufacturer—Toyota, Chevrolet, and Ford—and shared personal experiences and goals for the “Magic Mile,” which now opens the Round of 12. The test provided valuable data and a mental edge for three championship contenders.
ALSO READ: Who Ranks Best at the Brickyard? NASCAR Drivers with Top Average Finishes at Indianapolis
