NASCAR’s quest for the perfect short-track package begins at the Phoenix Raceway, with the Cup Series gearing up for a 312-lap battle under the Arizona desert sun. This weekend’s Shriners Children’s 500 throws a new turn onto the tracks, a thicker-treaded tire from Goodyear, designed to increase the implementation of effective strategies to tackle tire wear. Trackhouse Racing’s Mexican star, Daniel Suarez, fresh off his 0.003-second Atlanta victory two weeks ago, is among the drivers eyeing this “tire change” as a potential game-changer for Sunday’s race.

But Suarez’s optimism isn’t shared by everyone. The new short-track package, with its tweaks beyond only 18″ Goodyear tires, has left many drivers scratching their heads.

Atlanta Winner Daniel Suarez Looking Forward to New Strategies in the #99 Chevy’

The goal of the package is to reduce downforce, making the cars looser and easier to maneuver in the multiple-car drafts, resulting in exciting close-quarters racing at the 1-mile oval and other intended tracks like Martinsville. NASCAR achieved this through a combination of adjustments including an innovative new rear diffuser, a shortened rear spoiler, and even a streamlined engine undertray.

However, the #99 Trackhouse Camaro ZL1 driver indicated that “tire management” would be the expected key in drivers’ chances at claiming the checkered flag. “I would love to see tire management,” he said. “If you really abuse your tires, you’re too aggressive then you really overheat your tires. You pay the penalty.” The first Mexican driver to win a NASCAR race emphasized the risks involved in not being accustomed to the wear and tear the tires sustain for cars on an average lifespan.

Suarez finished P15 in qualifying, three spots behind Trackhouse teammate and Phoenix fall race winner, Ross Chastain. The #99 elaborated further on the unpredictability of the “soft-tire” setup, negating “track position,” stating, “I feel like in the past we have seen that track position just overcomes whatever penalty you may do on the tires and I feel like with a softer tire, there is a chance that maybe levels out a little bit, and if you hurt the tires you will pay the penalty later on, even though you may have track position.” 

The jury on the effectiveness awaits, as the green flag gets set to wave on the Shriners Children’s 400, hitting the Phoenix track in a few hours. But as we head into the 4th race weekend of the 2024 season, there’s no denying the fact that the reconfiguration has shaken things up for many drivers.

Read More: NASCAR’s Goodyear Experiment at Phoenix Seems to Bust as Practice Results Disappoint

Toyota Takes on A Dominant Chevrolet

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This is evident in the qualifying results. Joey Logano who has already claimed two poles this season in his #22 Ford, dominated practice with the fastest lap and surprisingly landed a disappointing 23rd starting position. Meanwhile, Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin, not known for top qualifying runs, surprised everyone by grabbing the pole–his third at Phoenix and a milestone of 150th for Toyota in the NCS.

In another light, P3 qualifier and 6-time Most Popular Driver, Chase Elliott, suggests the new Phoenix tweaks might be too minor to significantly alter the on-track product. The #9 Hendrick Motorsports driver said, “They change the tire all the time. Not only does it not make the racing look any different, but it’s really hard to tell from inside the car. Regardless of whatever compound they put on — and I’m not saying it doesn’t change things, because it does — but they are such minute things.”

However, it’s important to note that Elliott wasn’t entirely dismissive. He acknowledges that the changes do make a difference, even if they are subtle. The question is whether these ‘subtle changes’ will translate into another improvement on a steady Chevrolet masterclass for the season or if the 6 out of 10 fastest Toyotas this week will finally dethrone the American giants in Phoenix.

Nevertheless, Daniel Suarez will be looking to build on his incredible  2024 momentum after an 11th-place finish in Vegas last weekend.

Read More: Corey LaJoie Claims Drivers Had “Unrealistic” Expectations From NASCAR’s New Short Track Package