Goodyear has announced the tire setup that will greet the NASCAR Cup Series as it makes its long‑awaited return to North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend.
The package blends compounds that have already proven themselves on other short‑track venues, drawing on material tested at Bowman Gray Stadium and Phoenix Raceway for the right‑side, and on the most recent Martinsville races for the left‑side.
Data‑backed decisions
Rick Heinrich, Goodyear’s senior tire specialist, said three years of All‑Star Race data helped shape the compound choices, underscoring the importance of historical short‑track performance.
In the Craftsman Truck Series, a different tire configuration will be used, with new left‑side compounds making their debut at Phoenix Raceway.
With the event scheduled for 450 laps, tire wear is expected to play a pivotal role, forcing teams to manage degradation while chasing pace.
Teams bring years of detailed notebook information gathered from the annual All‑Star race at North Wilkesboro, a resource that Goodyear says has been critical in fine‑tuning the selected compounds.
Goodyear has also released the official tire allotments for both the Cup Series and the Truck Series, giving participants a clear picture of the resources available throughout the weekend.