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NASCAR’s Tire Evolution: Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch Debate Impact on Short-Track Racing

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 24, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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NASCAR’s Tire Evolution: Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch Debate Impact on Short-Track Racing

Mar 23, 2025; Homestead, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) races during the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The 2022 launch of NASCAR’s Next Gen car has been fraught with challenges, notably on the short tracks that are the heart and soul of the sport. Kyle Busch, a known critic, has voiced his disapproval, stating that the Next Gen car has done little to improve racing on these tracks. However, Denny Hamlin, a short track maestro, has a different perspective, particularly regarding the ongoing Goodyear tire debate.

While 1.5-mile tracks have seamlessly integrated the new technology, producing thrilling finishes at locations like Kansas and Atlanta, short tracks have had a harder time reclaiming their former glory. Busch’s comments reflect the uniformity imposed by the Next Gen car, which has limited passing opportunities on short tracks. As the Cup Series gears up for its celebrated short track at Martinsville, Hamlin offers an alternative viewpoint.

Goodyear’s option tires have been a contentious topic within NASCAR since their introduction. Despite the lackluster All-Star race at North Wilkesboro last year, where Logano’s 199-lap lead culminated in a win, the Richmond race showed potential. Daniel Suarez, who finished in the top 10 at Richmond, expressed his appreciation for the option tire, suggesting that it should be used at all races.

In 2025, NASCAR decided to pilot the tire at Phoenix Raceway, considering it as the primary tire for the Championship race. The results from Phoenix were significant, with Hamlin praising the softer option tire on his Actions Detrimental podcast. He asserted that the tire has greatly improved short-track racing, citing the reduced disparity between the fastest and slowest cars since the introduction of the Next Gen car.

Hamlin explained that the softer tire has bridged the gap between cars, enabling more passing, which was a significant issue on short tracks. The softer tires offer more grip and wear, resulting in a strategic and entertaining racing experience. This was evident at Phoenix, where Ryan Preece impressively moved from 33rd to 10th place in just 11 laps.

Hamlin has harped on tire falloff for years, and it seems he is finally satisfied with the product that Goodyear and NASCAR are delivering. He even stated on his podcast that he and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have long believed that Goodyear holds the key to NASCAR Cup Series racing, and recent developments seem to substantiate their belief.

Chase Elliott, a Hendrick Motorsports driver, also recognizes the positive impact of the tire, attributing recent improvements in racing to Goodyear’s tire strategy. This contrasts sharply with Busch’s pessimistic view of the future of short-track racing.

Busch, however, remains frustrated with the Next-Gen car. In his opinion, the tires have not done enough to combat the uniformity brought on by Next-Gen racing. He perceives a standardized product where “there’s only one way to skin the cat,” a sentiment reflected in his short track stats since 2022.

Busch, who once had a stellar record at short tracks, has seen a significant decline in his performance, with only four top-10 finishes in 17 races since 2022. Switching manufacturers from Toyota to Chevrolet after just one year has done little to improve the situation.

Despite the divided opinions, the softer tire seems to be improving the quality of racing, though there are ongoing doubts about its application. Hamlin, while appreciating the softer tire for its grip and falloff, is hesitant about it being optional. He expressed concerns that teams prioritizing race wins over consistent runs would save their tires for a late run, similar to what Ryan Preece did at Phoenix.

Even Chris Gabehart, Hamlin’s ex-crew chief and now technical director at JGR, joined the debate, criticizing Richard Boswell from RCR for his support of the option tire. Gabehart jokingly referred to Boswell’s support as participating in the “Caution Lottery.”

As the Cup Series prepares for Martinsville, the Next-Gen car’s short-track capabilities will be put to the test again. It remains to be seen whether Goodyear’s tire strategy will continue to improve short-track racing.

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