Get ready for a game-changer in NASCAR—Goodyear’s bold move with a new right-side tire in the 2025 season is set to revolutionize race strategies, and RFK’s Ryan Preece is here to tell you why this could rewrite the entire playbook. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this shift toward increased tire wear a blessing for seasoned drivers or a curse for those who thrive on consistency? Let’s dive in.
Starting with the Kansas race in September and followed by Las Vegas in October, Goodyear introduced a tire designed to amplify wear, forcing teams to rethink their tactics. The goal? To encourage smarter pit strategies, longer green-flag runs, and a deeper focus on tire management. Justin Fantozzi from Goodyear described it as a grip-speed balancer, particularly suited for smoother tracks like Kansas, opening up new strategic possibilities for dynamic racing. And this is the part most people miss: It’s not just about the tires—it’s about how drivers adapt, and Ryan Preece is leading the charge.
In a recent interview, Preece didn’t hold back: ‘A lot of us drivers have been talking about needing more tire wear to truly change how we approach a race. For drivers like me and Chase Elliott, who cut our teeth in late models, managing long green-flag runs is second nature. This new tire plays right into our strengths.’ Goodyear’s 2025 tweaks to the right-side compounds are no small change—they’re designed to force drivers to make real-time adjustments during those marathon runs. For drivers like Preece, who honed their skills nursing tires through aggressive races, this is their moment to shine.
The Kansas and Las Vegas tests were a proving ground for pit variability, showcasing which teams could stretch their rubber without sacrificing performance. Preece’s RFK ride exemplified this at Vegas, where he bounced back from a penalty to charge toward the top five. ‘That was my best race car at RFK,’ he said. ‘It shows how well our car handled long runs.’ Under the new compounds, tire savvy and setup aren’t just advantages—they’re necessities. Teams that master this game can turn penalties into pit stops, not race-enders.
Here’s the kicker: Once fresh tires were on, Preece went from 20th to 9th in the final laps, proving that tire strategy can be the ultimate game-changer. Even Ryan Blaney admitted after Goodyear’s Bristol experiment, ‘The tires were interesting. No one expected that. I guess that’s what they want.’ The new wear shifts the focus from preserving tires to unleashing full speed on restarts, rewarding those who come prepared.
Preece’s performance at Vegas, where he snagged his second top-10 in nine races, highlights this edge. Starting 16th, he grinded through Stage 1 and 2 before surging to 9th in the final segment. His late charge from 31st? Pure tire strategy paying off. ‘We took advantage of that opportunity with 15 laps to go and drove from 20th to 9th,’ he said post-race, crediting his team’s long-run hustle and his late-model roots.
But here’s the question: As Goodyear continues to rewrite the rules with these bold tactics, will this favor the old guard or open the door for new challengers? With three races left and Preece gunning for his first Cup win, one thing’s clear: the tire game is more critical than ever. What do you think? Is this the future of NASCAR, or a step too far? Let us know in the comments!
