Here’s a rewritten version of the article, focusing on the core news content and narrative while removing specific details as requested:

Five Thoughts After NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Watkins Glen #

1. Taking Stock #

The tires have become the single biggest focus in the Cup Series when it comes to the quality of racing. After the 100th race for the Next Gen car, tires seem like the last, best hope for improvement on road courses and short tracks.

However, there’s frustration about the lack of understanding of why tires react the way they do. The tire supplier is on board with trying to make a softer tire compound that will wear quicker, but the degree to which it actually occurs continues to be somewhat of a guess.

At Watkins Glen, the expected dramatic tire falloff didn’t materialize as anticipated. The track apparently rubbered in enough to not make much of a difference, and even cars with older tires were difficult to pass when they had clean air.

Drivers wonder if it’s the platform of the Next Gen car which limits their ability to pass by dirtying the air of the trailing car. Some drivers expressed frustration at the difficulty of passing compared to other racing series.

2. What If? #

Alternative storylines that could have unfolded:

Without late cautions, a championship-contending team might have been in a more precarious position for the playoffs.
If a certain driver had avoided a Lap 1 crash, they might be heading to the next race as the round’s points leader.
A non-American driver was close to winning his second Cup Series road course race in five career starts.

3. Driver Self-Doubt #

Even top drivers experience periods of self-doubt. One driver mentioned that despite being fast in everything, frequent crashes weigh on him. He struggles with finding the right balance between aggression and caution.

4. Championship Forecast #

The article provides a power ranking for the Championship 4, comparing current standings to pre-playoff picks. It highlights the performance of top drivers and how recent events have affected their standings.

5. Best of the Rest #

This section highlights top non-playoff performers. Notable points include:

The first-ever NASCAR playoff race that did not feature a single playoff driver among the top five finishers.
Strong performances from underrated drivers and rookies.
Impressive results from a team that has significantly improved its performance this season.
Continued strong showings from drivers who narrowly missed the playoffs.
Recognition of international talent performing well in the series.