Goodyear to debut new right-side tire for Cup Series at Indianapolis

Goodyear is introducing a specific right-side tire for the NASCAR Cup Series at the upcoming Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This adjustment aims to increase tire fall-off during long runs, forcing drivers to manage their equipment carefully throughout the race. The setup change follows a successful tire test conducted last month at the historic oval featuring drivers Ross Chastain, Ryan Preece, and John Hunter Nemechek.

The left-side tire remains unchanged from the version used at Chicagoland Speedway earlier this month and eight other intermediate tracks this season. Teams have been allotted a total of 14 sets of tires for the weekend, including three sets designated for practice, allowing crews to gather data on wear rates during extended runs on Friday.

Meanwhile, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will utilize the same tire configuration they employed last month at Pocono Raceway. This selection reflects the similarities between the flat corners at both venues. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will also compete in the region, returning to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park with the same tire setup used previously at North Wilkesboro.

Drivers acknowledge the importance of these technical updates in promoting competitive racing. Ryan Blaney noted that the goal of these tire advancements is to ensure that aggressive driving carries a measurable penalty, rewarding those who maintain their equipment effectively. With practice sessions scheduled for Friday, teams are preparing to adapt their car setups to match the specific demands of the Indianapolis circuit.