NASCAR is introducing a unique tire setup for the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 19. This change is in response to drivers’ requests for tires that offer better performance on short tracks.
Three types of tires will be available for teams:
Prime Tire: This is the standard tire used during the test at North Wilkesboro last month. It has the usual yellow Goodyear and Eagle lettering.
Option Tire: This is a softer tire with more grip, made from the same rubber as the wet weather tire. However, it wears out more quickly. It is identified by its red lettering.
Wet Weather Tire: This tire is designed for use when the track is wet. It has white lettering.
Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director of racing, explained that the All-Star Race provides a great opportunity to test these new tire options in a non-points environment. He noted that the option tire showed significantly more lap-time fall-off during the test, indicating that it would offer more grip but wear out faster.
Drivers participating in the test included William Byron, Ty Gibbs, and Joey Logano.
For the All-Star Race format:
– The prime tire will be used in the qualifying sessions. Both the prime and option tires can be used during practice, heat races, and the All-Star Open. Teams are required to start on the option tire for the All-Star Race.
– The race weekend begins on Friday, May 17, with a practice session for all cars, followed by open qualifying. The qualifying includes a pit crew challenge, where drivers complete a full lap at speed, then make a pit stop for a four-tire change, and race back to the finish.
– Saturday, May 18, features two 60-lap heat races. Teams must make a four-tire pit stop during the heat races. The first heat sets the starting order for the inside row of the All-Star Race, while the second heat sets the outside row.
– On Sunday, May 19, the All-Star Open features drivers who haven’t yet secured a spot in the All-Star Race. The top two finishers from the Open and a fan vote winner will qualify for the All-Star Race.
– The All-Star Race itself consists of 200 laps with mandatory four-tire pit stops at laps 100 and 150, and a caution at lap 50 during the Open. The winner of the All-Star Race will take home $1 million.
Drivers who have already qualified for the All-Star Race include:
– AJ Allmendinger
– Christopher Bell
– Ryan Blaney
– Chris Buescher
– Kyle Busch
– William Byron
– Ross Chastain
– Chase Elliott
– Denny Hamlin
– Brad Keselowski
– Kyle Larson
– Joey Logano
– Michael McDowell
– Tyler Reddick
– Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
– Daniel Suárez
– Martin Truex Jr.
– Shane van Gisbergen
Overall, the new tire options and All-Star Race format are designed to make the event more exciting and give teams the chance to test different strategies.
