NASCAR and Goodyear have announced plans to introduce an optional softer compound tire at the Phoenix race in the spring before the 2025 season. If the softer tire performs well, it will become the sole option for the championship race in October. NASCAR pit reporter Parker Kligerman shared his thoughts on the optional tire via social media.
Parker Kligerman Delivers Sharp 6-Word Opinion on Phoenix Option Tire
During the 312-lap race, the softer tire’s early speed was expected, but it also provided valuable insight into how long drivers could maintain pace as tire wear became a factor.
With uncertainty over how quickly the softer compound would degrade, all drivers started on the harder prime tires. Teams had only two sets of the soft compound, so most saved them for later in the race.
Ryan Preece and Joey Logano were the two drivers who benefited most from using the softer tires earlier than planned. Once Logano swapped to the new tires, he quickly moved through the field to take the lead. However, it wasn’t until the closing laps, as the field stretched out, that Christopher Bell — who would go on to win — finally passed him.
Preece was the first to switch to the softer tires, making an impressive charge from 33rd to 13th in just eight laps after pitting early in the first stage. His momentum continued, earning him a third-place finish in Stage 1 and a gain of 30 positions in 25 laps.
Goodyear expressed satisfaction with the softer tire’s performance during its debut run at Phoenix Raceway.
“Everything went according to plan at Phoenix, and the option tire worked very well,” Goodyear NASCAR project manager Mark Keto said.
“It gave teams a chance to vary their strategies as to when to use them and maximize their effectiveness to gain track position over teams that were out on the prime tires. Teams were also able to manage their options once they got track position and make them live longer into a run. Overall, we were very happy with the balance and strategy of the prime/option tire setup and how it added to the racing all day.”
I love this option tire business
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) March 9, 2025
Kligerman was also impressed with the optional tire. The NASCAR Truck Series driver and NBC pit reporter kept his response simple on X, stating, “I love this option tire business.”
Kligerman wasn’t alone in praising the tire.
“That red tire was a lot of fun,” Chris Buescher, who finished fifth at Phoenix Raceway, said.
Zane Smith, after finishing ninth, not only agreed with his Ford teammate but also said, “It made it probably the most fun Phoenix race I feel like I have been to.”
