Kyle Larson Remains Skeptical Over Option Tires for All Star Race at North Wilkesboro

NASCAR is all ready to rev its engines at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for the All-Star race on May 19. But this isn’t just any other race—there is a twist here. Goodyear is set to debut in the race a new tire, which is making quite the buzz. 

Drivers will have not one or two but three tires to choose from. The first is the traditional “prime” tires, the second is the “option” tires for wet conditions, and if it rains, then the “rain” tires. While some are excited about the new tire lineup, some don’t seem to carry the same excitement—Kyle Larson being one among them!

Kyle Larson doesn’t think “option” tires will be any different

But first, what’s an “option” tire?

The “option” tire that’s introduced is made with the same rubber as the wet weather tire. The tire is soft with more grip and faster wear. While some, like Hamlin, have appreciated this move, Kyle Larson doesn’t seem much amused by it. Ahead of the Darlington race, at a pre-race interview, he was asked about this new NASCAR experiment and if it is something he would like to see regularly on the ovals or at road courses. He was blunt and said, “I’m not sure!”

He explained that if it’s great, they can always utilize it but he cannot comment on it until he gets to experience it himself. Larson also recollected using an option tire many years ago at an All-Star race and didn’t remember it being any different. He said, “But like, I don’t remember it being any different. So I think it’s got to be drastically different for you to notice a difference on the racetrack. So we’ll see.”

NASCAR and Goodyear seem to want to shake things up at short-track racing, but just like Larson, even fans had a–I don’t know expression! One fan said, “So we’re doing F1 in NASCAR, huh? Long runs with little to no passing. Team/manufacturer orders. Now, multiple tire compounds. Can we also make the races shorter and run on hybrid engines to eliminate fuel strategy?” 

However, unlike Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin is stoked with excitement about the lineup. He said, it gives racers and the team options—they can choose what is best for them. He said, “Anytime that we get all kind of stuck on the same tire at times, it seems like we just all run the same speed. So I like the idea of the driver playing a bigger role in your result and they certainly will.” Should the option tires serve their purpose, short-track racing, as we know it, could change.

What motivated NASCAR to opt for North Wilkesboro Speedway as the testing site for “option” tires?

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The All-Star race isn’t just a typical weekend showdown—it’s the non-point paying event on the schedule. It is a 200-lap race, full of intense action. Right at the halfway, comes the first caution where drivers must make a four-tire pit stop. Then when it’s lap 150, they get to decide whether they pit or stay out. Both times, the team will decide which tires they want to go for.

Goodyear’s director of racing Greg Stucker answered Fox Sports last month, why the All-Star race was the perfect venue. He said, “At our North Wilkesboro test, there was significantly more lap-time fall-off with what has become the option tire than we had with the prime. We have been working very hard on our short-track tire package and we wanted to evaluate something more aggressive. The All-Star race format, in a non-points setting, is the perfect opportunity to do that.”

Moreover, many drivers have been calling out for more race power and that isn’t always feasible. Hence, the next best thing was working on the tires and if Goodyear can nail it, it will be the step in the next direction. Even an NBC reporter attested to this and said, “The drivers are talking about more horsepower – that’s not going to happen. So okay, what’s the next option, it’s the tire, what can be done.”

Is the tire revamp really a smart decision by NASCAR and will it make any difference? Let us know in the comments about what you think!