{
  "id": 7861237,
  "title": "NASCAR changes wet-weather tire policy for Bristol to give teams more control",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/nascar-changes-wet-weather-tire-policy-for-bristol-to-give-teams-more",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T20:04:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Motorsport.com",
    "slug": "motorsport-com",
    "url": "https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-changes-wet-weather-tire-policy-for-bristol/10856420/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NASCAR officials have modified the wet-weather tire policy for a forthcoming weekend of racing at Bristol Motor Speedway. Wet-weather tires will still be allowed at ovals one mile or smaller, but NASCAR will now control when to switch back to slicks. Drivers, crew chiefs, and teams will have control over which tires to use after the green flag goes out, particularly in dynamic weather conditions. NASCAR must determine if the track is wet to make wet-weather tires available for use. The only caveat is that NASCAR must declare the track wet for teams to utilize wet-weather tires. After the green flag, teams can choose between wet weather tires or slicks, depending on NASCAR's decision regarding pit road's dampness. This change will bring excitement to races with variable weather conditions and give competitors complete control over their strategies. NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell stated that they always listen to fan and industry feedback, and if there's an opportunity to make a meaningful difference that benefits the racing, they won't hesitate to act on it. The Bristol Motor Speedway half-mile track, along with Iowa Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Phoenix Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Richmond Raceway, are among the oval tracks approved for wet-weather tires.",
  "summary": "NASCAR series officials have altered a piece of the wet-weather tire policy ahead of a packed weekend of racing at Bristol Motor Speedway. As it were, wet-weather tires could be utilized at all ovals at one-mile in length or smaller, which remains unchanged. However, the Sanctioning Body was the sole decider in when to take those tires off and go back to slicks, which has been ... Keep reading",
  "key_points": [
    "NASCAR alters wet-weather tire policy for Bristol Motor Speedway races",
    "Teams gain control over tire selection after green flag in variable weather",
    "Change aims to enhance excitement and strategy in weather-dependent races"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}