“Really Didn’t See a Difference” – HMS Insider Snubs NASCAR’s Tire Change, but Still Remains Hopeful

With the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series being just the second year with the Next-Gen car, the sport is still adapting to the changes. One of them involves the type of tires provided by Goodyear. Without a doubt, the type of tires used has created plenty of debates. Recently, Hendrick Motorsports team member Rudy Fugle came out and shared his opinion.

It was at Martinsville Speedway that Goodyear introduced a new set of tires. The setup involved the usage of a thicker gauge or tread thickness. While the plan was to make a difference with the racing, William Byron’s crew chief had mixed feelings.

Rudy Fugle is yet to see a significant turnaround with the new tire setup from Goodyear

It is no secret that there have been severe challenges with the tires used with the Next-Gen car. While many drivers have expressed their doubts, Goodyear and NASCAR remain confident of making it right with time. The tire used for the Gen-7 car has a bigger footprint and dissipates more heat as compared to the tires used with the previous generation car. Having said that, Goodyear is yet to hit the perfect combination to enhance the racing quality.

In their bid to better the performance, they introduced a new tire setup at Martinsville Speedway last Sunday. With the extra gauge that the new tire possessed, it would build heat quicker and hold more heat over the course of a run.

While that was supposed to be helpful considering the weather at Martinsville at this time of the year, William Byron’s crew chief Rudy Fugle didn’t look convinced. Speaking to the media before the grand finale at Phoenix Raceway, Fugle shared his thoughts on Goodyear’s new tires.

According to Speedway Digest, when asked if he noticed anything different from the tire wear perspective with the new setup, he said, “Yeah, nothing yet. I think the characteristic of those will come out in the sun. Today’s practice was mostly in the shade. Once we get a 50-lap run, you’ll see more characteristic of that.”

Fugle added, “Even last week in Martinsville, we really didn’t see a difference until the race started.” The #24 team member further explained how the heat will turn out to be a vital factor on Sunday.

READ MORE – Rudy Fugle Willing to Take Risk With #24’s Efficiency to Get Extra “5%” From William Byron at Phoenix

Rudy Fugle describes how temperature could affect aero package at Phoenix

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There’s too much at stake as the Cup Series readies for its final race of the 2023 season. With the final four ready to battle it out, every minute detail plays a key role. While it promises to be an interesting affair, William Byron’s crew chief Rudy Fugle believes the hot temperature could make things spicy.

Speaking about how the weather could influence the aero package, the Hendrick Motorsports member said, “Yeah, for sure, it’s going to heat the tires up. Without the downforce, as much downforce on the car when the tires get hot, you’re going to lose control and the cars are going to lose handling a whole lot quicker into the run.”

Fugle added, “Tires get overheated, say lap 40, more downforce, it’s going to be the lap 25. It just speeds up the ill-handling and how the cars change over the run. It will be pretty big as warm as it is. It’s probably seven, eight degrees ambient warmer than it normally is this time of the year. We’ll definitely be dealing with that.”

If what Fugle said is to be believed, the race could turn out to be very entertaining. Will we see plenty of wrecks or will it be a smooth ride at Phoenix? And who will reign supreme?

WATCH THIS STORY: A Twist of Fate: The Martinsville Controversy