NASCAR’s New Tire to Make 2025 Debut at Phoenix Raceway

What’s Happening?

NASCAR is bringing back the “option” tire for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Season. The tire, which debuted at the North Wilkesboro All-Star Race in 2024, is a softer compound with more grip and wear than NASCAR’s “primary” Goodyear Eagle.

• The rules for using this tire at Phoenix this season will be similar to those used at Richmond last season. Teams will have six “primary” tire sets to use during the race alongside two sets of “option” tires.
• The option tire’s use at Phoenix implies that NASCAR is willing to utilize the softer tire at short tracks throughout the season. Its moderate use at Phoenix could serve as a test for the tire to use during the Championship Race this November.
• NASCAR has not announced whether it will use the tire this fall. Last season’s Championship Race did not use the tire. However, the option tire did make a playoff appearance at Martinsville to moderate fanfare.
• It looks like the tire used at Phoenix this year is not the soft tire used on the left side at Martinsville last fall. Rather, it will be the one used at Richmond last season.
• The goal of the option tire is to supply a softer compound with more grip. However, the tire wears at a faster pace than normal, resulting in more strategy from teams. Drivers have differing opinions on the tire. However, several drivers were outspoken last season about mixing the tires during a race, as they would at Phoenix.

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