Ahead of this week’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond, Brad Keselowski had a warning. He shared his concern about a potential tire shortage for the Cook Out 400. After practice and qualifying Friday, Keselowski told a group of reporters he wants to see another set of tires allocated for Saturday’s race. Cup teams currently […]
Ahead of this week’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond, Brad Keselowski had a warning. He shared his concern about a potential tire shortage for the Cook Out 400.
After practice and qualifying Friday, Keselowski told a group of reporters he wants to see another set of tires allocated for Saturday’s race. Cup teams currently have eight sticker sets, as well as a set transferred from qualifying, according to FOX Sports’ Bob Packrass.
As he looked ahead to the race, Keselowski was especially worried about the option tire. He’s not sure it can go more than 50 laps, which is why he offered his warning.
“We’re in trouble,” Keselowski said. “The tire’s supposed to be the option tire, it doesn’t look like the option tire, it doesn’t drive like the option tire. It’s going to be harder to run more than 50 laps on it. If you look at the amount of tires we have, we have enough tires to go, I think it’s like 45 laps a set. Rough math. Not enough. The math ain’t mathing.
“I might be wrong. Maybe something will change and we’ll get into nighttime and the tires will extend their life cycle more than what we’ve seen in practice. But right now, it does not look good.”
Ryan Preecewon the pole for the race, and Tyler Reddick will start alongside him after finishing second in qualifying. It will also see a new winner after Austin Dillon had his playoff eligibility removed in controversial fashion after he wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to make it to Victory Lane.
As for who will bring home the checkered flag, Kevin Harvicklogged his prediction this week. Speaking on his Happy Hour podcast, he went with a “bold” call. He picked Chase Briscoe to win the Cook Out 400.
“I’m gonna make a bold prediction right here… I’m gonna go with Chase Briscoe,” Harvick said. “I look back and this was always a great track for [Martin] Truex [Jr.], I know it seems like they’ve figured out how to blend things together, so just seems like it might be a good track for them with all the momentum they have and their past history there.”
It’s shaping up to be another exciting race at Richmond, a fan-favorite as drivers reach high speeds on the short track. The Cook Out 400 will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Category: General Sports
