NASCAR SVP Unveils Goodyear’s Latest Innovation Testing Drivers’ Tire Management in All-Star Race

The sensational night race at Bristol Motor Speedway had one thing standing out. The tires wore off fast, coercing drivers to rack their brains for tire management strategies. Drivers and fans enjoyed the race, calling for Goodyear to produce more such high-wear wheels. And recently, NASCAR has granted their wish for one race.

For the upcoming All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, drivers will get to cherry-pick among different tire compounds. These will range between soft, medium, and hard. Now, one of NASCAR’s senior executives laid down the scenario, which will also make for a driver-centric race.

NASCAR bigwig explains upcoming NWS phenomenon

The All-Star Race has always had a penchant for creativity. Since it was flagged off for the first time in 1985, innovations ranging from racing under the lights to double-file restarts have decorated the race. It holds a more innovative scope after being shifted to the famed North Wilkesboro Speedway because of the new twist on tires implemented by NASCAR and Goodyear.

This new gig comes after immense efforts to improve the short-track package. After Bristol’s exciting tire wear race, officials wanted to evaluate something more aggressive. NASCAR’s Senior VP of Competition, Elton Sawyer, shed light on the topic.

At first, he outlined the different tire compounds teams can use. “There was a tire test a couple of weeks ago, and we came up with what we’re calling a ‘prime tire‘. From an identification standpoint, it will be the normal yellow coloring on the outside of the tire. Then, they also came up with an optional tire, which will be the same rubber that will be on the wet-weather tires. It’s just on a slick, the configuration of the tire. It looks the same as the prime tire.”

Then Sawyer mentioned the million-dollar factor. One that Bristol winner Denny Hamlin and others have prayed for. “So the drivers will have to manage that tire. The tire’s not gonna go for a long period of time. So the question that you asked about starting the All-Star Race, we wanna make sure that we could, that the teams and drivers are in that position… When they start the race, they gotta manage that tire. And from that point on, they’ll have two sets of options and two sets of the prime tire to be able to get through that event.”

Another NASCAR official emphasized the team-oriented feature in line with Elton Sawyer’s valuable insights.

The spotlight will be on drivers and crew members

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A proper strategy will be of the essence to snag the coveted $1 million purse at the All-Star Race. Teams will have the chance to hone their skills at the qualifying race. Then they will fire their engines at the main 200-lap race, studded with two cautions at laps 100 and 150. These crucial pit stops will test the mettle of drivers and crew members, as they will get to choose between tires.

John Probst, NASCAR Senior VP and Chief Racing Development Officer, stressed this. “The spotlight will certainly be on the crew chiefs and drivers as they plan their tire strategy for this special race. In testing, the softer tires were significantly faster – but wore much quicker. Goodyear has been an incredible partner in this All-Star element, and it will be fascinating to watch how crew chiefs and drivers manage this unique challenge.”

With Goodyear’s high-wear tires set to hit the tracks at NWS, we cannot wait for another exciting repeat of Bristol.