**TLDR** — The verdict is in, and NASCAR fans aren't buying the hype around Watkins Glen's new tire barriers. A commanding 51% of 249 voters say drivers will find a loophole, while just 26% believe the barriers will actually cut down on crashes. The remaining 23% are willing to give the changes a fair shake. Skepticism is running hot in the comments section, with one reader warning that Turn One's barriers might cause more wrecks than they prevent, calling it "more of a danger than a safety deal." Another fan put it bluntly: "Drivers will always find another way. The bigger the challenge the bigger the loophole." A few open-minded voices pushed back, arguing the only way to judge is to actually run the race. But the broader mood? Glen's safety upgrade looks like a speed bump, not a stop sign, to NASCAR's craftiest wheelmen.
Essentially Sports
May 8, 2026
Do You Think Tire Barrier Will Keep Drivers in Check at Glen?

51%
No, Drivers Will Find a Loophole
127
26%
Yes, at Least We’ll Have Less Crashes
65
23%
I Don’t Mind These New Changes
57
249 readers voted
We asked readers to weigh in — 6 shared their take. Here’s what they said:
Reader Reactions
6
ca***a**1***7@gmail.com
May 7, 2026 · 7:56 PM EDT
IT JUST WONT!!!!
ma**d**e**c@gmail.com
May 7, 2026 · 11:12 PM EDT
Kinda seems like it is more of a danger than a safety deal as far as I see. Turn One with the barriers or whatever they call them looks like they will be the cause of wrecks. Will just have to see????!!?!?
mi****l***s****4@gmail.com
May 8, 2026 · 8:35 AM EDT
Actually it won’t change anything. ME
mi****l***n***0@gmail.com
May 8, 2026 · 8:02 AM EDT
Look I don't even like road courses racing and Nascar keeps adding more of them. They need to get back to about 2 a year. Most Nascar fans do not like them.
ed***a***s***0@gmail.com
May 7, 2026 · 8:54 PM EDT
Drivers will always find another way. The bigger the challenge the bigger the loophole
1j*n50@gmail.com
May 7, 2026 · 8:48 PM EDT
Only way to see is to try it.