BRISTOL, NC — NASCAR and track officials added the traction compound PJ1 VHT to the lower groove of Bristol Motor Speedway’s corners about four hours before Monday’s Cup race.
The compound was sprayed on the lower surface on one pass through the corners. Earlier Monday, track officials ran the tire dragon for about an hour to also help the grip in the lower groove. That device drags tires to add rubber to the racing surface.
The purpose of these treatments is to make the lower groove the preferable groove in the corners, helping make the bump-and-run more likely.
“In discussions with NASCAR, we evaluated it and feel like it’s the right thing to do,’’ said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway, said of spraying the compound on the surface. “It’s what we planned to do from the beginning of the weekend was a possible treatment after every day and it goes with that.’’