NASCAR’s recent experiment at Phoenix Raceway by introducing Goodyear’s experimental ‘option’ tires, sparked plenty of excitement and debate among drivers and fans alike.
These softer tires provided more grip and quicker overtaking but wore out faster, forcing teams into high-risk, high-reward strategies. While the move created some exciting moments, not everyone was fully on board—including veteran driver Denny Hamlin, who had mixed feelings about the change.
A Game-Changer for Short Tracks by Goodyear
For years, NASCAR has tried to make short-track racing more unpredictable, and the ‘option’ tires were the latest attempt. Teams had two sets of these tires to use whenever they wanted at any time of the race, creating a strategic power play on when to maximize their grip and higher speed advantage.
NASCAR Cup teams will have both “Prime” and “Option” tire setups at @phoenixraceway today. The Option has more grip early but will fall off more later in a run, so choosing when to use those red-lettered sets can affect strategy of the race. The Prime has standard yellow letters. pic.twitter.com/5aXzSIFgXl
— Goodyear Racing (@GoodyearRacing) March 9, 2025
Ryan Preece was one of the first to take the gamble. Starting way back in P33, he bolted on the softer tires early and rocketed through the field, finishing Stage 1 at an incredible P3. But as expected, the tires wore out quickly, and by the end of the race, he had slipped to P15.
Joey Logano also tested the waters. After a Stage 1 penalty, he put on the option tires in Stage 2 and gained several positions. However, as the tire wear kicked in, he started losing speed and ultimately finished in P13. Meanwhile, Chris Buescher played his cards right—waiting until later in the race to use the softer tires, which helped him secure an impressive P5 finish, his first top 5 of the season.
Denny Hamlin’s Take: Exciting but Unfamiliar
Hamlin, known for his strategic mind on the track, saw potential in the new tire rules but admitted they felt a little foreign to him. “I don’t know,” the three-time Daytona 500 winner said. “I’m just too old school to tell you that I want options for tires. It’s just another way that the best car will not win.”
Despite his reservations, Hamlin acknowledged that the experiment was a success. The different strategies added unpredictability and gave teams a new challenge to work with. “I certainly think that we’ve got a winner,” he admitted. “The results of the racing that we’ve seen speaks for itself.”
While it is unclear if Goodyear’s ‘option’ tires will become a regular feature, Phoenix proved that they could shake things up on short-track courses. For some drivers, it is an exciting new era. For others, like Hamlin, it’s a tough adjustment. But one thing is certain—fans got a show, and that is exactly what NASCAR was hoping for.