NASCAR announced last Tuesday that it will use this year’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway to experiment new tires developed by Goodyear.
The sanctioning body hopes the new “option” tire will having quicker wear than Goodyear’s current slick tires. The new tire uses rubber typically used for rain tires. Speaking on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, Hamlin said the new tire should “create tons of passing opportunities,” something that has been hard to come by at short tracks this season.
“I can’t emphasize this enough: If everyone runs the same speed, you’re not going to pass. You have to have variation in speed between the cars,” Hamlin said. “That’s what they’re trying to do at North Wilkesboro in the All-Star Race is a tire to create varying lap times. So, whoever saves their tires is gonna be maybe running let’s pretend we’re at Dover, a 20:350, and those that are struggling because they’ve worn out their tires would be running a 24:450. And that will create tons of passing opportunities.
“One thing we didn’t talk about is that. They announced the All-Star Race is gonna have an alternate tire from Goodyear. So, as much as we give them crap, we have to say great job on at least coming up with something for this All-Star Race.”
Goodyear’s Greg Stucker explains decision to use multiple tire compounds in NASCAR All-Star Race
Drivers in the May 19 main event at North Wilkesboro will have two sets of “prime” tires — traditional slicks that were used during a tire test at the racetrack last month, according to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. They will also have two sets of non-grooved “option” tires. These tires use the rubber from rain tires NASCAR uses on short tracks and road courses.
The All-Star Race will be 200 laps, with all laps counting and overtime rules in effect. Each team must begin on option tires. Teams must make a four-tire pit stop during a Lap 100 caution. Teams can choose to stay out or pit during a Lap 150 caution. What tires they put on during the pit stops will be the teams’ decision, Pockrass wrote.
“At our North Wilkesboro test, there was significantly more lap-time fall-off with what has become the option tire than we had with the prime,” Goodyear director of racing Greg Stucker said. “We have been working very hard on our short-track tire package and we wanted to evaluate something that is more aggressive. The All-Star race format, in a non-points setting, is the perfect opportunity to do that.”
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