Goodyear brings new tires to Bristol

NASCAR Goodyear Tires

NASCAR makes its first visit to Bristol Motor Speedway and “Thunder Valley" this weekend and it will do so with a new set of Goodyear tires in both Cup and Xfinity.

Compared to what was run at Bristol last year, this tire setup features construction updates on both sides of the car and a compound change on the left-side tire. This is the only track at which NASCAR teams are scheduled to run either of these two tire codes.

Compared to what was run at Bristol last year, this tire set-up features construction updates on both sides of the car and a compound change on the left-side. This is the only track at which NASCAR teams are scheduled to run either of these two tire codes.

“While Bristol is only a half-mile in length, it races very much like a speedway," said Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director of racing. “The steep banking generates a lot of speed and a high amount of loading, even more so with the 2019, high downforce rules package. The tire set-up that we bring takes that into account while enhancing the stability and handling of the cars through the corners.

“The other factor at Bristol is the concrete track surface. It is important to lay rubber down on the surface and create the opportunity for teams to use all three lanes. There will be a four-foot-wide line of the PJ1 grip compound laid down in the bottom lane in the corners, so that application and subsequent wearing off of the compound will change racing throughout the weekend and keep it exciting for the fans as drivers potentially move around the track to find maximum grip."

Unlike on most NASCAR ovals 1 mile or less in length, on which teams generally do not run inner liners in their tires, teams are required to run liners in their right-side tires only at Bristol. Air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.

Here’s the tire info for this weekend’s races.

Set limits: Cup: Three sets for practice, one set for qualifying and nine sets for the race; Xfinity: six sets for the event

Tire Codes: Left-side – D-4860; Right-side – D-4862

Tire Circumference: Left-side — 2,223 mm (87.52 in.); Right-side – 2,251 mm (88.62 in.)

Minimum Recommended Inflation: Left Front – 20 psi; Left Rear – 18 psi;Right Front – 43 psi; Right Rear – 40 psi