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This weekend’s race at Watkins Glen International will be the first to test controversial changes at the track. This year, the Glen made dramatic changes to the iconic Bus Stop turn, sparking an online debate amongst fans and drivers on whether this was the right move.
The Watkins Glen Bus Stop is a designed braking zone on the backstretch of the track. The backstretch leading into the Bus Stop is an all-out section of speed, with drivers utilizing it like a back stretch on an oval track.
Cars entering the Bus Stop is an iconic camera shot in NASCAR. Drivers go all out, bouncing and jittering off the curbs and the track surface. While that doesn’t sound ideal, it was necessary. If you, as a driver, weren’t willing to go all out through the turns, someone else would.
However, changes to the curbing upon entry will cause the area to become a heavier breaking zone. The interior elevated curbing is not too drastic of a change. Regardless, further away from the track surface, toward the outside barrier, there are larger curbs.
These far curbs will more than likely cause drivers to slow down, as clipping one could result in damage.
Drivers and fans were disappointed about this change. However, Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson clarified that the forces a driver experienced in the Bus Stop in prior years were too much to justify the speeds.
So, what could be different at the Glen this weekend?
While we won’t get to see cars flying through this iconic section like they used to, slowing down may not be the worst thing.
Since the introduction of the Next Gen car, some fans have been worried about the product on road courses. The once-shoot-out, beating, and banging of the COT and Gen 6 era has seemingly faded.
Whether it’s the Next Gen car or the car combined with increased driver skill, the product could use a boost. That’s where the new Bus Stop comes into play.
Creating a heavier breaking zone allows the opportunity for more passing. However, passing now comes with a risk. Do you try to outbreak your opponent and risk bouncing off the new curb?
With Cup Series in their Playoff and the Xfinity Series starting theirs, it will be interesting to see what drivers, if any, take this risk heading into the Bus Stop in hopes of Playoff glory.
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