In a groundbreaking move to improve competition at short tracks, NASCAR announced a significant update to the Rule Book on Wednesday, introducing a choice between primary and option tires for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway on March 9.

This marks another step in NASCAR’s continued experimentation with option tires, a concept first tested during the 2024 All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway and later introduced for a points race at Richmond Raceway last August. The option tire, easily identified by its red-lettered sidewall, is designed to offer higher speeds but comes with quicker wear compared to the standard primary tire.

Why the Option Tire?

The decision to bring the option tire to Phoenix aligns with NASCAR’s broader efforts to enhance racing on short tracks, where passing and on-track action can sometimes be limited. By giving teams a faster but less durable tire, NASCAR hopes to add strategic depth to races, forcing teams to weigh the benefits of speed against tire longevity.

A NASCAR spokesperson revealed that the March Phoenix race will serve as a testing ground for Goodyear’s option tire. If successful, it could replace the primary tire for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix on November 2, eliminating the need for an option tire during the season finale.

Tire Allocations and Strategy

NASCAR has outlined specific tire allocations for the March race weekend:

• Practice: One primary set and one option set per team.
• Qualifying: One primary set per team.
• Race: Six primary sets, two option sets, and the qualifying set.

Teams will have full discretion over how to use their tire allocations during the race, which opens the door for intriguing strategic decisions. Opting for the faster tires early could provide a track position advantage, but it may leave teams vulnerable in longer green-flag runs. Conversely, saving option tires for late-race restarts could lead to thrilling battles for position.

Impact on the Championship Race

Should the option tire prove successful in March, it will serve as the primary tire for the November championship race at Phoenix. This would remove the element of tire strategy from that event but ensure the fastest and most competitive racing possible for NASCAR’s biggest race of the year.

A Bold Experiment

This initiative is the latest in NASCAR’s push to innovate and improve racing quality across various track types. As seen at North Wilkesboro and Richmond, the introduction of the option tire has already brought a new layer of excitement and unpredictability.

With teams and fans eagerly anticipating the March 9 race, all eyes will be on Phoenix to see if this experiment delivers the competitive boost NASCAR is striving for. Success could cement the option tire as a staple in the sport’s ongoing evolution.