Bristol grinding.

[FenderBumper]

Bruton listened to the fans, or just realized there were fewer and fewer at the track to hear, and he whipped out the old grinder and went to work.

IMO:

I think the changes will result in a nice balance. If you have a car set up for the bottom, and have new tires, you can pass like crazy on the bottom if you're willing to run the outside car up the track on exit. That should create some emotion, because you'll never get enough gap to keep that car you just roughed up off your bumper going into the next turn.

The bump and run will return, but with a twist. The place to bump will be just before the apex in the high line, which will send the lead car up into the slick grind zone, and then dive hard to the bottom and clear him on exit. No need to put anyone in the wall.

It was also interesting how lapped cars didn't know where to go. The old track dictated moving up and letting guys by, but that doesn't work anymore. Lapped and slow cars moving to the high line was the deciding factor in many passes last night.

 

[StewartHaas-Gibbs Racing]

I'll vote after tonight's cup race.

 

[Matthew2470]

One green flag pass for the lead and it was because of a lapped car. But there were wrecks so people probably liked it.

 

[#17D500winner]

Fuuny how things unfold when carnage in a truck race was somewhat expected and never really happened and NNW has caution trouble right off the start.

I foresee a crashfest for cup with alot of drivers needing wins and/or good finishes but having poor starting positions. People are going to get moved to keep faster cars from falling off the lead lap..

 

[MOEJOE]

I foresee a crashfest for cup with alot of drivers needing wins and/or good finishes but having poor starting positions. People are going to get moved to keep faster cars from falling off the lead lap..

And don't forget Casey Mears. He will have to get out of the way. Without that third lane, he's sure to pile them up. Good thing JJ is starting 37th.

 

[#17D500winner]

And don't forget Casey Mears. He will have to get out of the way. Without that third lane, he's sure to pile them up. Good thing JJ is starting 37th.

Mears has a pretty good car and says he doesn't plan on S&P for this race so he may be able to hang in there for a while.

I kind of think it'll be nice see some different drivers at the front for a change - however fleeting it may be.

 

[dpkimmel2001]

Personally, I don't think that we're going to see much difference than what we've been seeing here. They are still able to run side by side which is a good thing IMO. Hopefully everyone got enough of the crash fest by the fourth lap of the modified race the other night.

 

[PeopleAreStrange]

You didn't give many options, but I voted for "as good as it ever was", because I liked the racing on both configurations, even though they were opposites. I wish they wouldn't have done these changes, because it didn't bring the old style of racing back, and lessened the positive of the wide grooved configuration. But Bristol is still my favorite track (with M'ville a close second). With how close the cars are, I can't imagine any short track race not being exciting, no matter the style of racing (unless you're not a race fan).

 

[FenderBumper]

Personally, I don't think that we're going to see much difference than what we've been seeing here. They are still able to run side by side which is a good thing IMO. Hopefully everyone got enough of the crash fest by the fourth lap of the modified race the other night.

The difference I see is that it's once again hard to pass, which wasn't the case with 3 grooves. I think it will take a year or 2 for that dumbass gentlemans agreement to lsen it's grip on the racing, but sooner or later guys will be moved or slid up on when getting passed by a faster car. YIPEEE!

Oddly enough, it may be Mr Ed who moves someone for the win. Since he clearly can't handle it when it's done to him, the reaction from the other driver may be violent. But it's a short track, so WTH.

 

[Johali]

11 cautions.