Remember March 2024? During that time, NASCAR witnessed its iconic tire management race at Bristol Motor Speedway. For reasons that officials are yet to clarify fully, drivers had to wheel their cars on tires that wore off faster. However, the primary reason is clear; Goodyear did something with its tires, and it made a noticeable difference. The tire brand attempted to spice up other short tracks like Bristol – and this effort now extends into 2025.

Phoenix Raceway already experienced a short revamp last year, as Goodyear introduced a different tire set-up for practice sessions and the Championship finale. Now, NASCAR is back on track to trying to make a difference in short-track racing with Goodyear again.

NASCAR is continuing the tire game

The Bristol event led to the introduction of option tires. This tire debuted at North Wilkesboro Speedway during the 2024 All-Star Race, which was a warm-up experiment at a non-points event. The option tire’s goal is to increase grip to provide more pace to the car. It also wore significantly faster than the primary tires. This tire set-up came back during the summer race at Richmond Raceway, where each Cup Series team was given six primary sets of tires and two sets of option tires. Now, NASCAR is back with this concept, and this time seeks to tweak the championship race at Phoenix Raceway with positive tire results.

Before the championship chapter, NASCAR will bring the tire game to the spring race at the 1-mile dogleg oval track at Avondale, Arizona. The Shriner’s Children 500 – to be held on March 9th at Phoenix Raceway – has updated its tire allocation chart, according to journalist Claire B. Lang. “For all entries, Practice allotment will be 1 primary set and 1 option set. Qualifying will be 1 primary set. Race allotment will be 6 primary sets, 2 option sets, and Qualifying carryover set. As was the case during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond last season, it will be the team’s choice on how to use the tires during the race.”

Richmond Raceway witnessed a shuffling pit strategy last year. Drivers like Daniel Suarez reaped the benefits of the option tire to lead for 93 laps and register a top-ten result. If such an optimistic situation arises at Phoenix two months later, officials will prioritize Goodyear’s option tires for the championship race. Lang continued on this note: “If the option tire works well during the spring Phoenix race, it would become the primary tire for the Championship Race at Phoenix in November. There would be no option tire for the Championship Race.” This is interesting as it would mean Goodyear will have passed its experimental phase for the tires.

The 2024 turnout with Goodyear was jaw-dropping. But the hints were in the air by the end of 2023.

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Sensing a shift in the tire scenario

Short-track racing took a hit after the Next-Gen car debuted in 2022. With time, however, NASCAR attempted to revamp its short-track package, and a test at Phoenix Raceway in December 2023 yielded promising results. A 6-team exhibition ran through aerodynamic configurations and Goodyear tire combinations. The aerodynamic changes involved a new splitter design, and a diffuser, and garnered hype from drivers. However, different tire combinations from Goodyear elicited more positive reactions. RFK Racing driver Chris Buescher tested 24 different tires over the two-day session.

Legacy Motor Club driver Erik Jones noted a vast difference, sensing that great things are coming. “Tire stuff was really good… I think Goodyear’s got some good notes from that and probably is gonna apply to a lot of places.” Similarly, Dr. Eric Jacuzzi, NASCAR’s VP of vehicle performance, was also buoyant and hopeful. “I’ve never gone to a test and walked out like, ‘Oh my god, this is great. This is what we’re doing.’ It’s a tough thing to do, right?… But I think for us, it’s coming out of here with direction on the tire, coming out with direction on the aero package that, yes, this is going to be neutral to positive.”

Fast forward two years and it seems like Goodyear has worked its magic on the tires. If the option tire does become the primary for the finale at Phoenix, do anticipate some high-octane racing to decide the 2025 champion.

Clearly, Goodyear’s miracle in 2024 was on the cards before. Now, as 2025 rolls around, let us see what the tire brand has in store for us.