NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer explains decision to require teams start with optional tire for All-Star Race

The NASCAR All-Star Race is set to debut a new tire that teams will have the opportunity to use. Elton Sawyer seems excited about it. Ever since the Bristol race that saw severe tire falloff, drivers and fans have wanted NASCAR to revisit tires to try and fix the short track package.

NASCAR has already made it clear to teams in meetings – horsepower increases will not be happening. It isn’t even on their radar. With all of the potential aero changes having been made, tires are next up on the list.

The NASCAR All-Star Race will feature two tire compounds from Goodyear. First, the prime tire which is more or less the same thing that has been used, with minor changes based on a tire test a couple of weeks ago. Then there is the option tire.

Teams will actually start the race on the option tire so everyone gets a feel for the falloff. Elton Sawyer explained why they want teams to start on that tire, even if it is “optional.”

“There was a tire test there a couple of weeks ago so they came up with a, what we’re calling a prime tire, which from an identification standpoint it will be the normal yellow coating, coloring on the outside of the tire,” Sawyer said to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “Then they also came up with an option tire. Which is the same rubber that is on the wet weather tire, it’s just on a slick configuration on the tire. It looks the same as the prime tire, it’s just the rubber that’s on the option tire is the same rubber that they will use on the wet weather.

“So, the drivers will have to manage that tire, that tire is not going to go for a long period of time. … We want to make sure we put the teams and the drivers in a position that when they start that race they gotta manage that tire. From that point on they will have two sets of option and two sets of the prime tire to be able to get through that event.”

The new tire will challenge teams. At Bristol, the tire falloff was severe and tested teams. Crew chiefs had to make decisions on the fly and adjust accordingly. There ar ea lot of issues with the short track package. This appears to be a step in the right direction.

Big issues with the short track package are obvious. There is no passing and even on old tires you can hold the lead because the falloff isn’t severe enough. You can fix that with horsepower. You can also fix that with tires that actually have falloff.

Lap times have to slow down. Drivers on newer tires need to be able to pass. That all happened at Bristol! It can also happen at North Wilkesboro. Does this excite you? Is it a step in the right direction or another excuse not to add horsepower?