Formula 1 fans, where you at? You know how the soft tires in F1 are the fastest but wear out quickly, while the hard tires last longer but lack grip? Teams have to carefully strategize which tire to use and, most importantly, when. Chose the wrong tire? Well, say goodbye to the race win, even if you started on pole. Or, see yourself on the podium, even if you started among the back markers. That balance between speed and durability is a challenge across motorsports.

In NASCAR, Goodyear has been experimenting with its own version of a softer tire, the option tire, which provides more grip but wears faster. This tire has been making waves in the NASCAR community, with some praising its ability to enhance racing dynamics. Recently, Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on the option tire, sharing his thoughts on its impact and potential for future improvements. His comments highlight the ongoing debate about how tires can shape the sport’s competitive landscape.

Earnhardt Jr. supports NASCAR’s Phoenix tire experiment

The 2025 Phoenix race brought the spotlight to Goodyear’s option tire, which offered increased grip but came with its own set of challenges. Joey Logano’s use of the tire drew attention, especially as he was able to maintain speed on the options while others, like Christopher Bell, struggled on the primary tires. Despite some reservations, Dale Earnhardt Jr. agreed with TJ’s analysis, emphasizing the potential of the tire to improve racing.

TJ, a well-known NASCAR commentator, critiqued the option tire’s performance at Phoenix, noting, “To me, the option tire doesn’t fall off enough still. It was way too fast for too long.” He rightly wanted to see a steeper decline in the options tire’s performance over time to give drivers a more significant challenge in managing tire wear. The need for a balance between tire durability and speed became a focal point.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. echoed TJ’s concerns, adding, “When the cars are all on the primary, they don’t run side by side very much… they just start chattering and losing grip.” He explained that the primary tire caused cars to struggle with passing due to a lack of grip, making it hard for drivers to race each other aggressively. However, the option tire allowed for more dynamic racing due to the speed as well as the durability it offered. So, drivers who were on the options for a long time, like Logano, benefitted heavily from the strategy.

After receiving a penalty for a restart violation on lap 18, Logano’s team opted to use the option tire to regain lost track position. He started the second stage of the race on the options. This decision paid off as Logano quickly moved through the field, leveraging the tire’s speed advantage to secure a strong finish. His ability to manage the tire effectively allowed him to maintain speed longer than expected. Logano drove to the race lead and, eventually, finished 13th.

While both TJ and Earnhardt Jr. praised the tire’s benefits, they also agreed that further improvements are needed. “I think you take that option tire and all the great things that it seems to be doing and keep going farther,” said Earnhardt Jr. He sees the tire as a promising development for NASCAR. But he also believes there’s more room for refinement to increase its impact and competitiveness in future races.

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Beyond Logano – Other drivers who benefitted from options

Logano wasn’t the only one who gained an advantage with the options tire. Ryan Preece was one of the first to capitalize on the tires at Phoenix. Under a Lap 10 caution, he pitted for the red-lettered tires and quickly rose through the field, finishing Stage 1 in third place. He was in the 29th position before the caution fell. This strategic move showcased the potential of the option tires to enhance performance.

Austin Cindric, Erik Jones, and Ty Dillon also leveraged the option tires to gain significant ground in the final stage. They successfully drove into the top 10, demonstrating the tire’s ability to boost speed and strategy. Cindric even went from 14th place to 8th place in one lap after a restart in the second stage. Their approach towards the options added a layer of excitement to the race, as teams varied their strategies to maximize the tires’ benefits.

The success of the option tires at Phoenix suggests they could play a crucial role in future races, potentially including the championship event later in the year. Their ability to enhance racing dynamics and encourage strategic decision-making aligns with NASCAR’s goals for more competitive and engaging race

Justin Haley perfectly summed up the impact of the option tires at Phoenix, saying, “I wish I would have been on the option tires the whole time.” His sentiment reflects the confidence boost drivers experience when using these tires. Haley concluded, “They just make you feel like superman.” We couldn’t agree more, Justin, we couldn’t agree more!