Chase Elliott has endorsed NASCAR’s decision to install tire packs at key corners of the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) following confusion over track limits during last year’s race. The Chase Elliott NASCAR tire pack change, aimed at curbing unauthorized shortcuts and improving race oversight, will be enforced as teams compete on Sunday at 3:30 pm ET.
Addressing Chaos from Last Year’s COTA Race
During last season’s event at COTA, several drivers exploited unclear track boundaries by shortcutting through the Esses and Turn 6. This widespread tactic led to uncertainty over which drivers gained an advantage and created difficulties in officiating. NASCAR Cup Series teams noticed that race officials struggled to determine accurately when a shortcut occurred, resulting in chaotic scenes both on-track and on television. In response, NASCAR has committed to a more visible and definitive solution, adding sizable tire barriers at sensitive corners that drivers must steer clear of during competition.
This move is part of a broader attempt to keep on-track action fair and easily understandable for viewers and officials alike. Officials hope this new standard prevents the same scenes that negatively impacted last year’s race, and that have sparked debate among competitors about driver conduct and rule enforcement.
Drivers Weigh In on Tire Pack Solution
The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck gathered reactions from Cup Series drivers including Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez, and Joey Logano in the build-up to Sunday’s contest. Daniel Suarez was particularly direct about his views on last year’s problems and the impact of the new barriers.
“Corner six, they were not officiating that. One guy started calling a little bit. Then you see another guy calling a little more. And then by the end of the race, we’re scoring like two car links. Like it’s bad, it looks bad on TV,” Suarez said (00:38 onwards).
Suarez also emphasized the difficulty the officials face when adjudicating ambiguous situations, but acknowledged the double-edged nature of using physical tire packs.
“I don’t like to put a lot of decisions on NASCAR because it’s tough on them. … They are going to make some good calls, and they’re going to make some bad calls. So, I think that the tire barriers are the best way to do it but it’s dangerous, too.” (03:08)
These concerns connect to recent incidents at COTA, such as when Spire Motorsports’ driver was involved in a collision between Connor Zilisch and Suarez on lap 50 last year, which was triggered by a sudden spin amid limited visibility. It highlighted how errant driving lines can escalate into serious crashes, a risk NASCAR hopes to mitigate with the updated tire pack system.
Chase Elliott and Joey Logano Praise Clearer Guidelines
Chase Elliott, who secured fifth place in qualifying, offered his approval for the tire pack strategy, pointing out that visible and tangible boundaries provide much-needed clarity on racing rules and reduce the room for guesswork.
“I think it came down to the fact that they simply just couldn’t see that area super well. But yeah, I guess nobody knew. So I think having the tire packs at least makes it a little more black and white. You either hit them or you don’t. I think it makes sense.” Chase Elliott said (00:58).
Joey Logano also supported the approach, noting that the tire packs make officiating more straightforward for NASCAR while helping drivers distinguish legal lines even amid heavy traffic.
“You start rolling through there, behind cars especially. It’s really hard to know. Like one guy goes off, you’re going to follow him right off. Or if you just try to offset a little bit, like right on him, you can’t see it, and then you get kind of caught. So I think it’s easier for NASCAR to officiate it, and it’s easier for the drivers to see it. It kind of makes sense to me,” he said (02:24).
This weekend’s race will retain the 2.3-mile circuit layout, with Christopher Bell returning as the defending race winner and currently positioned eighth. The consensus among drivers like Elliott and Logano is that these modifications strike a balance between fair competition and simpler, more consistent enforcement.
Implications for Sunday’s Race and Beyond
As the NASCAR Cup Series prepares to take on COTA under tighter oversight, officials, teams, and fans will be watching to assess the impact of tire packs on race flow and driver safety. The response from series veterans and rookies alike signals widespread approval for clearer boundaries, though some, including Suarez, remain cautious about new hazards introduced by the barriers themselves. Should the changes prove successful, NASCAR may consider similar solutions at other problematic venues in the future, signaling an ongoing evolution in race regulations.
Less of a storyline but possibly still quite relevant to the race is the presence of tire packs to police pretty much every conceivable corner-cutting opportunity. I spoke to drivers about it and made a video here: https://t.co/qoC7riDOsg pic.twitter.com/cGB4SfyCKR
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 1, 2026
