What started as a candid post-race interview for Kaden Honeycutt quickly turned into a talking point in the NASCAR world.  While some agreed with what the Tricon Garage driver said about the resin usage on the track, others, like Freddie Kraft, disagreed. 

After the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Nashville, while talking to the media, the No. 11 driver was asked about his thoughts on the resin used on the track. He replied, "What's the point of (the resin)? It makes the racing worse."

While discussing the same on the podcast, ‘Door, Bumper, Clear, ’ Cup Series spotter Freddie Kraft called out Honeycutt for criticizing the use of resin on the track.

"I'm getting worried about Kaden, like these sound bites aren't good," said Kraft. "You know, there was a lot of complaining during the race about stuff that doesn't really matter. Just focus on what you got to do. Like the resin, everybody's on the same racetrack, so the resin doesn't really... it's not affecting you worse than anybody else.” 

Kraft also spoke about how Honeycutt kept complaining about the caution laps, among other things. The 23XI spotter also added that Kaden needs to avoid all of this to prevent getting the reputation of "this guy's just going to cry every time something doesn't go his way."

NASCAR has been experimenting with the use of resin at certain ovals this season. The resin was first used this season at the All-Star race in Dover. It was used in all four corners of the Speedway to help widen the racing groove.

However, despite the criticism from Kaden Honeycutt about the use of resin, some of the NASCAR crew chiefs feel differently. 

HMS Crew Chief Speaks About the Use of Resin

The resin is not used throughout the track but just in parts. NASCAR does this to encourage drivers to take the high line to help make racing more entertaining, as it would force teams to display multiple strategies throughout the event. 

The resin for this season was introduced at Dover, and Alex Bowman’s crew chief, Blake Harris, noticed positive changes at the track.

"I think at least, according to the drivers, they felt like the racing line got in a lot quicker," Harris said via NASCAR.com. "Some of the guys were able to move up and find some grip. Typically, that’s 100 to 200 laps into the race before we see that. So for those guys to be able to move up in practice and get a look at that, hopefully that resin will widen the track out a little bit quicker."

Most of the time, the application of the resin is done before the event begins so that it does not wear out quickly. While there has been some appreciation of its effect on racing, the debate, like any other effort to improve racing, won't seemingly settle down soon. 

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak