“Everything went according to plan at Phoenix, and the Option tire worked very well,” Goodyear’s NASCAR project manager Mark Keto said. “It gave teams a chance to vary their strategies as to when to use them and maximize their effectiveness to gain track position over teams that were out on the prime tires.” The option tires introduced at the Shriner’s Children 400 were a major talking point after the race, as it seemed to uplift a historically uneventful track.
Ever since the Next-Gen car was introduced in 2022, Phoenix Raceway has struggled to deliver thrilling racing. The track, which hosts NASCAR’s championship finale, often lacked the side-by-side action that fans craved. However, with the introduction of the new softer option tire, strategy played a pivotal role, keeping teams and drivers on their toes. Some utilized the tire early to gain track position, while others saved it for late-race surges. The result was a more dynamic race. Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon finished 12th in the race, and his crew chief credited the tires for their performance.
Richard Childress Racing’s crew chief believes the option tires must stay
While the results were promising, opinions remain divided. Richard Childress Racing’s #3 crew chief Richard Boswell has emerged as one of the most vocal supporters of Goodyear’s innovation, arguing that the option tire should not only stay but be further developed.
Richard Boswell believes that NASCAR must embrace the direction Goodyear is taking. “NASCAR has to ultimately make the decision as to whether or not they want a prime tire and an option tire,” Boswell said. “If they want that, then you know I’m a fan of the option tire being the standard tire and something even softer being the option. Just from some of the conversations that I’ve heard, I wouldn’t be surprised if we go to some of these short tracks with option tires and continue to test different grip-level tires and different fall-off tires so that they can make the best decision going into the championship weekend.”
The Richard Childress Racing crew chief’s stance reflects a growing belief that softer, high-degradation tires could bring much-needed excitement to NASCAR’s short-track package. The current Next-Gen car has often been criticized for reducing tire wear, making races more about track position than skillful tire management. This option tire, which wears faster than the prime tire, forces drivers to adapt their strategy mid-race, something Boswell sees as a positive step forward. Making it the primary tire for short tracks is a bold call, but one that would increase racing strategy, and that’s what Boswell wants.
“It’s fun for me to sit up there in the box and see how I can maximize my day by using the same strategy as others, or by getting off strategy,” Boswell added. The element of tire strategy along with fuel saving is what makes these option tires so good. They wear faster than your fuel runs out, so picking when to use them is critical to success, and that was evident at Phoenix this time, but NASCAR didn’t get it right on their first try last season.
Phoenix wasn’t the first time NASCAR used an option tire. In 2024, Goodyear introduced it at Richmond Raceway, where it produced mixed results. Some drivers, like Daniel Suárez, capitalized on the softer compound, leading 93 laps and securing a top-10 finish. However, the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway was a disaster. Joey Logano dominated, leading 199 of 200 laps, leaving fans disappointed. However, now Goodyear seems to have found the secret recipe for short-track success, and the overall response from the Cup Series grid has been positive.
What’s next for Goodyear and NASCAR?
Christopher Bell, who secured his third consecutive win at Phoenix, remains one of the most intriguing figures in this debate. Bell has proven he can adapt to any tire thrown his way, yet he was one of the most vocal critics of Goodyear’s early attempts at softer tires. “We’re getting further and further away from traditional racing,” Bell said last year when option tires first debuted at Richmond. His frustration stemmed from NASCAR’s experimental approach, which produced both thrilling and lackluster results.
However, Bell’s performance at Phoenix showcased his ability to dominate regardless of tire compound. Running both the primary and option tires, he managed to chase down Joey Logano in Stage 2 and outduel Denny Hamlin for the victory. His success raises a question: Is Bell’s criticism of the option tire rooted in skepticism, or is he simply adjusting to whatever changes NASCAR throws his way?
Not all drivers share Bell’s concerns. Joey Logano, a three-time Cup Series champion, has praised Goodyear’s recent efforts. “For the better of the sport, I think what we’ve been doing with the tires has been a really big gain lately,” Logano said. “Last week [at Circuit of The Americas], you see a lot of falloff, which was great, and the way we’re introducing it is a pretty safe way to do it. I think it’s cool.”
Goodyear’s current goal is to refine the short-track tire package before the championship race in Phoenix. NASCAR has hinted that if the option tire performs well in the upcoming races, it could become the standard compound for the season finale. However, no final decision has been made. While the option tire has injected new life into NASCAR’s short-track racing, questions remain. Will it be a permanent fixture in the Cup Series, or is it just another fleeting experiment? The upcoming short-track races will be crucial in determining its long-term viability, and Richard Childress’ #3 crew chief certainly feels it has to stay.
The debate surrounding Goodyear’s tire strategy is far from over. While insiders like Boswell and Logano advocate for continued experimentation, skeptics like Bell remain cautious. One thing is certain: NASCAR is entering a new era of tire development, and its impact on the sport’s future remains to be seen.
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