NASCAR Faces Controversy Over Track Limits and Tire Strategy at COTA

Drivers and fans question inconsistent officiating and tire strategies as Christopher Bell secures a dramatic win at the newly reconfigured Circuit of the Americas.

Christopher Bell claimed victory at COTA after a strategic tire management and clean late-race pass on Kyle Busch, marking his second win in three races this season.
Drivers expressed confusion over NASCAR's inconsistent enforcement of track limits, particularly at Turn 6, which was reportedly left unpenalized to avoid criticism of officiating errors.
Denny Hamlin theorized that NASCAR's approach to Turn 6 was influenced by a lack of camera coverage, while other drivers, including Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott, voiced frustration over unclear rules.
The new super-soft Goodyear tires were praised for enhancing the race's excitement, though they contributed to key incidents, including Hamlin's collision with Austin Dillon, which led to a caution that reshaped the race's outcome.
Kyle Busch acknowledged Christopher Bell's clean and calculated pass but lamented the impact of worn tires and late-race cautions on his fifth-place finish.