Can NASCAR be turned upside down by optional tires? Can the course of NASCAR races be changed by a single strategic choice? As the Cup Series moves to Phoenix, where NASCAR’s most recent experiment—the return of option tires has generated both curiosity and controversy. We know very well that NASCAR isn’t going to budge on horsepower demands, therefore the only way to improve the state of short-track racing is through Goodyear rubber. We do not want to see more short-track lose their NASCAR dates, do we?
The question of whether mid-pack drivers can employ strategy to outperform NASCAR’s top contenders is raised by Goodyear’s softer alternate tires. The soft rubber provides short-term speed but wears down more quickly. These tires helped Austin Dillon and Daniel Suárez lead unexpectedly at Richmond during the Cook Out 400. With the option tire back into the mix, the mid-pack teams might have a shot at winning the race. But on the flip side, with limited resources, it will be interesting to see how the teams optimize and revamp their strategies to make the best use of softer tires.
All eyes on Goodyear’s new experiment at Phoenix
The impact of Goodyear’s softer option tires, which were last seen at Richmond 2024, is in doubt because they provide more grip but wear out more quickly. Austin Dillon used Daniel Suárez’s 93-lap lead to stay in the top five before winning at Richmond, although his triumph was disputed because he rammed Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to get the checkered flag.
Yet, with forceful restarts, progressive banking, and hard braking zones, Phoenix prioritizes track position over tire longevity. Although they could offer speed in the near term, soft rubber may degrade too quickly and force teams into early pit stops. In contrast to Richmond, Phoenix’s result will not be determined solely by tire strategy. After all, there are only two sets of soft rubber that the teams can rely on.
NASCAR’s experiment is not universally accepted. Strong resistance has been expressed by Christopher Bell, who claims that this change favors strategy above performance alone. “The option tire. Does it produce comers and goers? It does, but if you’re not good, then you’re gonna do the opposite, right? So what do we want the champion to be? Do we want the champion to be the best car, or do we want it to be the guy that sucked all race and saved a set of red tires that got the lucky yellow?” said, Christopher Bell.
On the flip side, Daniel Suárez has been a strong advocate for the option tires. He thinks they add excitement to the racing after using them to his advantage at Richmond, “These option tires, if NASCAR and the fans didn’t like it, I don’t know what they would like because they were amazing,” he said. At a time when NASCAR is trying hard to improve short-track racing, the use of option tire is a good way to create disparity in the field.
Suárez’s viewpoint is in line with NASCAR’s overarching objective, which is to boost uncertainty and provide more chances for various teams. Does it, regardless, genuinely aid backmarkers in winning, or does it merely temporarily rearrange the rankings until the traditional favorites take back the lead? Well, for the time being, it’s hard to draw any conclusion given that the compound is fairly new.
The option tire made its debut at NWS during the All-Star race. But, with a successful experiment at Richmond Raceway last year, NASCAR wants to deliver on its promise of improving the short-track package. “This weekend we continue with the development of the short-track package for the Cup Series, and we will have an option tire as part of the racing… Cup teams will have two sets of options for the race so we’ll see, like at the second Richmond race last season, how teams will deploy them to best maximize their strategy.” Stu Grant, Goodyear’s general manager said this to NASCAR.
The implications for the future are arguably the most significant part of NASCAR’s decision to reinstate option tires. Although NASCAR has not promised to use option tires during the playoffs, officials have hinted that the compound would be used for the championship race in November if the Phoenix experiment is a success.
According to Richmond’s findings, the answer appears to be yes, but only under certain circumstances. The features of the circuit and the way strategy unfolded at Richmond gave backmarkers like Suárez and Dillon an edge. Nevertheless, the extra tires might not be sufficient to propel mid-pack teams to victory in Phoenix, where track position and long-run performance are more important factors. Rather, they may only provide short-term benefits before the typical competitors regain the upper hand.
Even Dale Jr. wasn’t sold on the longevity of the idea stating, “I don’t expect it to really alter the results because I think these teams get smart and they’ll all end up on the same plan.” The team’s ability to adjust will be the true test. In an attempt to profit early, do the mid-tier drivers play it aggressively? Do the favorites counteract the advantage by using their tire-saving expertise? Even though Phoenix won’t give a clear response, one thing is for sure: optional tires are here, and their influence cannot be overlooked.
Should NASCAR develop a rain tire on the success of the wet-weather compound?
NASCAR’s tire technology has experienced substantial adjustments throughout the years, responding to the needs of varied tracks and weather. One of the biggest advancements in oval racing has been the introduction of wet-weather tires, which enable races to begin on damp tracks without long waits. However, as NASCAR keeps becoming more versatile, the question is raised as to whether the sport should advance its wet-weather compounds.
The 2024 Toyota Owners 400 was mired by rain and NASCAR was forced into making a decision. The Clash and Daytona 500 were all affected by rains, and Richmond could’ve suffered a similar fate. But this time around, NASCAR rolled the dice and brought out the wet weather tire to start the race. After 31 laps as the track started to dry the teams switched back to the prime tires and this paved the way for NASCAR to race in damp and wet condition.
This application was back in use at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Only this time around they were brought to close out the race with Christopher Bell taking the win. Elton Sawyer, Senior VP of Competition for NASCAR, attributed this initiative to NASCAR CEO Jim France, who explained that the action was a direct reaction to rain-related delays. “A couple of years ago, he tasked the R&D Center and Goodyear to come up with a tire that we could run in the damp, and tonight was a success,” Sawyer said.
Officials are still working on how wet-weather tires fit into their strategy, even though they have been used in a few Cup Series races. NASCAR is hesitant to give teams complete control over tire swaps on short ovals, in contrast to road courses where teams may decide when to switch between wet and dry tires. “We’re still not to a place where we feel comfortable doing that… We want to put all the competition in the teams’ hands, and I think we’ll get there sooner than later,” Sawyer added.
It will be interesting to see how Goodyear and NASCAR work together in bettering the wet weather tire. But as far as racing in rain is concerned, it is still a far-fetched idea for the stock car racing world. A mix of wet weather rubber and prime tires is what seems like a good plan for NASCAR to race in unfavorable conditions.
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