NASCAR changed its Bristol wet-weather tire policy, giving Cup teams greater control before Saturday night's Chase race.
NASCAR changed its wet-weather tire policy for Bristol Motor Speedway before the Cup race on Saturday, September 19, giving teams greater control over tire decisions during a weekend with immediate championship consequences.
The confirmed policy adjustment comes with the Cup Series already at the Tennessee track. Practice is scheduled for September 18 at 16:30 in the times displayed to viewers, with qualifying at 17:40. The race is listed for 19:30 on September 19.
Teams gain control at Bristol
The revised wet-weather policy changes how teams can respond to conditions at Bristol. Under the confirmed update, crews have greater control, putting more responsibility on each pit box if weather affects the Cup event.
Tire calls can quickly change track position at the short track. Teams must account for changing conditions while managing a race that is part of the 10-event championship Chase.
The change was reported during the Bristol weekend on September 17, putting it directly into plans for Friday's practice and qualifying sessions.
No rain decision has been required yet.
The Chase reaches its third race
Bristol is the next round for a 16-driver Chase field contesting the Cup championship over the final 10 races of the season. Denny Hamlin arrives at the top of the standings with 2,168 points.
Kyle Larson is second on 2,159, nine points behind Hamlin. Christopher Bell holds third with 2,150, leaving the Joe Gibbs Racing driver 18 points off the lead.
Those gaps follow two different winners in the opening Chase events. Bell won the Southern 500 at Darlington for his first victory of the season. Larson followed with a win at Gateway, ending a 51-race winless streak and taking his first Cup victory in 16 months.
Larson scored 73 points at Gateway, while runner-up Alex Bowman collected 38. Joey Logano finished third with 54 points.
Hendrick arrives with momentum
Larson and Bowman gave Hendrick Motorsports a one-two at Gateway. The result brought Larson closer to Hamlin and sent the organization into Bristol with momentum.
Hendrick also confirmed a visual change for next season during the build-up to this weekend. Its iconic neon-yellow car numbers will return in 2027.
That announcement concerns next season. For now, the focus is Bristol and Larson's pursuit of Hamlin, with a nine-point margin making every stage and finishing position relevant under the current Chase format.
Bristol preparations begin Friday
Friday's track activity gives teams their first chance to evaluate the surface and their cars under the revised wet-weather framework. Practice starts at 16:30, followed 70 minutes later by qualifying at 17:40.
The race follows on Saturday at 19:30.
If wet-weather running is required, teams will make their calls under the changed policy. If conditions stay dry, the usual short-track demands remain as Hamlin, Larson and Bell continue a title fight with 18 points covering first through third.
Bristol also starts a concentrated run of Cup weekends. Kansas II runs from September 24 through September 27, followed by Las Vegas II from October 1 through October 4.
The schedule moves west after Bristol
Charlotte II follows from October 8 through October 11, continuing the championship run after Kansas and Las Vegas. Each event is part of the final 10-race Chase that began at Darlington.
The Bristol policy change comes first, and crews have a short preparation window before practice. That session will produce the first track data of the Cup weekend, with qualifying later Friday.
Hamlin starts the race weekend protecting a nine-point advantage over Larson and an 18-point lead over Bell. The next confirmed competitive action is Bristol practice at 16:30 on September 18.
