A NASCAR insider got brutally honest when he shared his thoughts on Sunday’s Cup Series race at Phoenix. On The Teardown podcast, Jordan Binanchi of The Athletic said the option tires saved the race because it made things more exciting.

Crew chief Matt Swiderski nearly turned a unique strategy into a top-five finish for Daniel Suarez last August at Richmond in the most recent NASCAR Cup race with a primary tire and an option tire.Austin Dillon won that Richmond race — after contact with two leaders on the final lap — by focusing more on the primary tire than the option tire.

As Christopher Bell goes three in a row, Goodyear and NASCAR come closer to their decision on which compound to use in the Championship finale.