NASCAR To Test Tire Compound Option Strategy During All-Star Race At North Wilkesboro Speedway

NASCAR teams are going to have to make some new decisions during the May 19 All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

The series has announced that the exhibition race will give teams the option of two tire compounds to use during the race.

Goodyear will supply a prime tire and an option tire that will have a shorter lifespan, but should allow the cars to lap the .625-mile track a half-second quicker for 20-25 laps before they fall off.

The tires use the same construction, but different treads. IndyCar and Formula One offer tire options, which introduce an added element to race strategy.

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John Probst, NASCAR’s chief racing development officer, said teams will get five sets of prime tires and four sets of option tires for the weekend, which includes a practice session. They will be required to qualify on the primes and start the race on the options, after that, it’s up to them how to manage them. For the race, they will have two sets of each.

The All-Star Race will be 200 laps, with set caution periods at 100 laps and 150 laps. Teams are required to perform a four-tire stop during the first break.

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Throwing an extra wrench into the works is the fact that North Wilkesboro Speedway has been repaved since last year’s race.

The starting lineup will be decided through two 60-lap heat races on Saturday, May 18, that will feature a four-tire-change caution at lap 30.

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NASCAR often uses the All-Star Race to test out new ideas, some of which find their way into the points-paying Cup Series events.