During a chaotic practice session ahead of Sunday’s finale at Phoenix, AJ Allmendinger became one of several drivers hit by severe tire failures, turning what was expected to be a routine tune-up into a scene of widespread concern. The AJ Allmendinger tire trouble not only halted his own efforts but mirrored a string of similar incidents that disrupted the day for many top contenders.
Practice Session Erupts Into a String of Tire Failures
On a day that saw Denny Hamlin demonstrate why many view him as a favorite for the Championship 4, adversity struck for others, especially Allmendinger. Intended as a final chance for teams to perfect setups ahead of the most critical race of the season, the practice session at Phoenix quickly shattered expectations. Within the hour-long window, drivers and teams faced four red flags and endured at least six sudden tire blowouts, making the pursuit of long-run data nearly impossible.
Among the most severe cases, Briscoe – both a teammate and a championship rival for Hamlin – suffered a left-rear tire cut on the backstretch. The sparks as his car scraped the pavement made for a dramatic sight as he limped to pit road, indicating the high-level risks involved. Even after initial repairs, a heavy vibration forced Briscoe to the garage, underscoring the widespread unease as further incidents unfolded behind him.
Allmendinger’s Run Cut Short by Exploding Tire
AJ Allmendinger’s misfortune punctuated an already tense atmosphere. Just five minutes into the session, he was sent hard into the wall as his left-front tire exploded entering Turn 3, triggering the third red flag. This dramatic end came not long after a left-rear tire had already failed during his earlier laps, an occurrence he openly discussed with reporters after being checked at the infield care center.
“I’m ready for this year to be over… Blew a left front, but I don’t know. The first run, we blew a left rear like three laps into it. Everything felt fine there. I was already tight. But the balance was okay, and I just wanted to run the laps out and put a 25-30 lap run to see what we had.”
– AJ Allmendinger, Driver
“Yeah, it just all of a sudden blew out of nowhere. So, I don’t know if it’s we’re too low on tire pressure. We usually on our group in practice, we’re not overly low in tire pressure, but to have two left side tires blow out, we got to figure out why,”
– AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing Driver
Allmendinger’s frustration was echoed by growing alarm in the garage as tire failures continued across the field. As his damaged car was towed off the track, another issue came to light. Christopher Bell, a mainstay with JGR Toyota, was seen slowing on the front stretch, hampered by a sudden left-rear tire puncture as the track went green again.
Multiple Teams Grapple With Repeating Tire Issues
The string of incidents did not end there. Daniel Suarez also encountered a left-rear tire blowout and managed to steer his car to the pits, adding another name to the swelling list of affected drivers. Just before the practice concluded, Suarez suffered another such failure. Despite this, NASCAR allowed the session to remain under green, forcing him to limp back to pit road once again.
Chase Elliott, possibly sensing trouble, decided to bring his car to the garage early, prioritizing caution over risking a similar incident. Moments before the closing bell, Kyle Busch became the latest victim, shredding a left-rear tire and brushing the wall with his No. 8 car before coming to a stop and causing the day’s final red flag.
Trackside Tension and Uncertainty Ahead of the Finale
By the close of the session, the relentless wave of tire issues had reshaped the narrative from practice speeds to survival. While Denny Hamlin emerged unscathed and confident, most teams, including Briscoe, Suarez, and Busch, joined AJ Allmendinger in searching for answers and solutions. The mounting concern in the garage placed pressure squarely on Goodyear, with teams demanding clarity before the race begins at Phoenix.
Ahead of Sunday’s season finale, the drama during Friday practice underscored both the risk and unpredictability facing all contenders. For AJ Allmendinger and others plagued by tire crises, the focus has shifted from chasing victory to simply enduring until the checkered flag, as teams brace for what could be an unpredictable championship-deciding event.
“I’m ready for this year to be over”
AJ Allmendinger checked and released after blowing a tire in practice.
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