The tire saga in the world of NASCAR seems to be a tale as old as time. From Tony Stewart’s scathing critique of Goodyear back in 2008, citing inconsistent and low-grip tires as a source of frustration, to the present day, the struggle to find the perfect tire for NASCAR’s high-octane races continues.
Flashback to the 2008 incident when Stewart, post a tire blowout at Atlanta Motor Speedway, unabashedly expressed his disappointment with Goodyear. His words resonated with NASCAR fans and fellow racers, becoming a cornerstone in the ongoing discourse about tire quality in the sport.
Jumping to the present day in 2025, NASCAR’s tire troubles are still a hot topic for discussion. A recent experiment conducted by Goodyear at Phoenix Raceway was anticipated to be a game-changer. Goodyear introduced its “option” tire during the Shriners Children’s 500 race, which, though wearing down faster, promised to enhance racing quality. This new tire, softer and more race-friendly, was seen as a beacon of hope for drivers.
However, this optimism was soon dimmed by Tyler Reddick’s worrying evaluation post running laps during a test at Phoenix. Reddick’s expectation of a dramatic tire fall-off with the softer compounds was met with a confounding result. The track, not laying down rubber as it did during the race, and softer tires not showing the expected lap time fall-off, left Reddick perplexed.
Goodyear’s Phoenix experiment was a high-stakes venture, intended to determine a single tire suitable for Phoenix’s championship race in November, and other similar tracks. The experiment involved three drivers – Austin Dillon, Josh Berry, and Reddick, testing ten different tire compounds across eighteen sets in a day-long session.
While Reddick’s insights were disheartening for NASCAR, Josh Berry, Ford driver, echoed similar concerns. Berry mentioned the potential in some softer lefts, but also emphasized the need for more data before they could be used for the championship race.
On the other hand, Richard Childress Racing driver, Austin Dillon, had a somewhat different take on the situation. While acknowledging Goodyear’s efforts, Dillon pointed out that things might have gone a tad too far with the softness of the tires.
Goodyear has been grappling with tire issues since the next-generation car’s debut in 2022. The new car design led to lower tire wear, making races more predictable and passing difficult. Efforts to introduce softer compounds began with last year’s Richmond race and the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro. However, the recent Phoenix test indicates that the journey to the perfect tire is still underway.
In response to the concerns raised about the tires, NASCAR Managing Director of Racing Communications, Mike Forde, acknowledged the split opinions within the industry. However, he defended the use of these tires, citing the addition of a new dimension to the race.
With the championship race looming, NASCAR faces the daunting task of deciding whether to stick with the current formula or gamble on a new compound. Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick took a break from the tire turmoil to enjoy a family adventure in Las Vegas with fellow driver Denny Hamlin. The duo, along with their families, visited the Immersive Disney Animation experience on the Las Vegas Strip, offering a welcome respite from the rigors of NASCAR competition.
Hamlin, however, wasn’t just in Vegas for family time. The 23XI Racing co-owner tried his luck at a casino and bagged some hefty jackpots. After winning $300,000 at a blackjack table on his previous trip, Hamlin once again hit the jackpot, winning more than $125,000. Despite his big wins, Hamlin’s focus now shifts to the upcoming Pennzoil 400 race.
As for NASCAR and its tire dilemma, only time will tell if they can finally put the ghost of tire troubles to rest.
