At Bristol Motor Speedway, teams gathered for a vital tire test as they look to solve last season’s dramatic tire wear issues, and Ryan Preece Bristol tire test efforts became a focal point for both challenge and determination. Preece, along with fellow drivers and crews, completed hundreds of laps in pursuit of more durable Goodyear tires and a smoother race experience in future NASCAR Cup Series events at this legendary half-mile oval.
Pushing for Improvement After Bristol’s Tire Drama
The chaotic events of September’s playoff night race at Bristol pushed NASCAR and its partners to act quickly, after the soft Goodyear tires—introduced for increased excitement—began shredding in the cooler air. Teams faced rapid tire degradation and were forced into frantic strategy shifts, with NASCAR even providing an extra set of tires mid-race to prevent a crisis. The aftermath saw the spotlight on improvements, leading directly to the recent two-day tire test, which aims to inform both tire construction and racing setups for the upcoming doubleheader at Bristol.
Ryan Preece, who drives the No. 60 Ford for RFK Racing, returned to the track joined by Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace for essential feedback. The test was not just any ordinary session; it followed a season where Preece, the Connecticut native, finished 18th in points and was searching for that elusive balance amid competitive chaos.
Preece’s Relentless Effort in the Test
After climbing out of his car, Ryan Preece did not hide his exhaustion or candor when he summed up the day’s reality on social media:
“We just got done testing here at Bristol Motor Speedway. I feel like I did 500 laps,”
Ryan Preece, Driver. His remark captured the sense of fatigue from relentless driving in challenging, cold conditions.
The tire test wasn’t only about laps; it marked the debut trial for NASCAR’s higher-horsepower, 750 HP package, a bump from 670, planned for short ovals and road courses in the upcoming season. The new power is designed to enhance on-track battles, but it also puts a premium on tire durability and strategy. Spotter Brandon Jones and the entire RFK crew braved the cold to push their setups and collect crucial data.
The mission for this session stemmed directly from September’s disaster, when the cooler weather and softer right-side tires led to swift wear and unexpected outcomes during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Adam Stevens, Crew Chief for Joe Gibbs Racing, provided a vivid picture of the problem:
“Running full tilt, high 15s, low 16-second laps, and about 25 laps in people started really slipping and sliding because they were down to cords from going all out for that long,”
Adam Stevens, Crew Chief.
The fallout included 36 lead changes among 14 different drivers, and even fire incidents for Ford drivers Josh Berry, Austin Cindric, and Chad Finchum. These tire failures forced teams into creative—and sometimes desperate—tire strategies, with some reusing nearly-bald tires late in the race. The urgency for improvement could not have been clearer.
Adjusting Strategies and Engineering Solutions
Addressing the broader goals, NASCAR’s Vice President Brad Moran recognized the limitations of last fall’s experiment but remained positive about the path ahead:
“If it was just a slight bit less wear, it might have been favorable, but no doubt we are heading in the right direction,”
Brad Moran, NASCAR Vice President. NASCAR’s collaboration with Goodyear now focuses on producing a tire that delivers close racing and unpredictability without the destructive wear seen previously.
For Goodyear and the teams, the test at Bristol was about capturing mountains of data to design a tire that wears gradually yet safely, even with the increased horsepower. Josh Sell, RFK’s Competition Director, shared insight on the technical changes:
“It’s the same engine, from a hardware perspective, and really just changing the tapered spacer [that controls the airflow in to the engine] to get the power level correct. Then there will be some level of gearing change required to get the RPMs back where we need them to be and where we want them to be from a durability standpoint,”
Josh Sell, Competition Director.
For drivers like Ryan Preece, the challenges at Bristol echo the demands across similar tough tracks. His ability to balance feedback on both the car and tire degradation will influence Goodyear’s approach to the next tire design, potentially reducing the risk of tire-related incidents in future races.
Bubba Wallace and the 750 Horsepower Challenge
Bubba Wallace also played a central role during the session. Piloting the No. 23 Toyota for 23XI Racing, Wallace dove into the 750 HP test with the aim of providing feedback on both power and tire behavior. The increased horsepower, announced by NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps in October, is set for tracks under 1.5 miles and select road courses, including Sonoma and the Roval.
By raising engine power, NASCAR seeks to create more on-track passing and wheel-to-wheel action, addressing fan criticism of the Next Gen car’s predictability on short, flat tracks. Wallace, who closed the previous season eleven in the standings and scored victories like the one at Indianapolis, took new Goodyears for a series of test runs to help find the right balance between speed and tire life.
The drive for more competitive, dynamic racing without excessive tire wear is a direct response to input from fans and drivers, including insights from numerous tests at Phoenix and Richmond. Wallace’s ability to feel the car’s limits and communicate nuanced feedback has helped 23XI Racing hone aerodynamic tweaks and prepare for the future of short-track action.
Brad Moran summarized NASCAR’s intentions for these tests:
“We want tires to wear out. We want big passing numbers,”
Brad Moran, NASCAR Vice President. With every test lap, NASCAR and Goodyear come closer to offering a package that keeps the spectacle alive while minimizing on-track disasters like fires and abrupt tire failures.
Looking Ahead for NASCAR Fans and Teams
The Bristol tire test showcased both the resolve and cooperation of key figures like Ryan Preece, Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, and their respective teams and manufacturers. The exhaustive sessions reflected the sports’ willingness to confront and correct lingering issues from the previous year’s racing, leveraging data and candid driver input.
With further testing on the horizon and changes like the 750 HP package approaching, all eyes will remain on how these technical evolutions translate into actual race-weekend improvements. Bristol Motor Speedway will again be central to next year’s drama in the NASCAR Cup Series, and the success of these tests will shape the narrative not just for individual drivers but for organizations such as RFK Racing, 23XI, and Goodyear itself.
As fans and competitors anticipate more competitive, safe, and thrilling battles at iconic tracks such as Bristol, Martinsville, and Nashville, the collaboration between drivers, engineers, and NASCAR officials—sparked by events like the Ryan Preece Bristol tire test—ushers in a new chapter of intensity, engineering, and passion at the heart of American motorsport.
Bristol testing update, 500 laps later https://t.co/bI7smHKAU9 pic.twitter.com/4PSmAUxXHn
— Ryan Preece (@RyanPreece_) November 12, 2025
