Custom Racing Suit
Get Started for FREE
Exciting Two-Day Goodyear Tire Test Kicks Off This Week at Bristol
LISTEN
0:00
0:00
Highlights
- Two-day Goodyear tire test scheduled at Bristol Motor Speedway
- Test aims to fine-tune tires for 2026 NASCAR Bristol races
- Three drivers represent Toyota, Chevrolet, and Ford in testing
- New 750-horsepower package to be tested on short oval track
- Focus on balanced tire wear and consistent performance in testing
- Data will prepare teams for April and September 2026 races
A two-day Goodyear tire test runs Wednesday and Thursday at Bristol Motor Speedway to refine the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series tire specification.
The programme targets a Bristol-specific balance between degradation, durability, and temperature resilience to improve race quality and strategic variance.
Manufacturer coverage is comprehensive: Bubba Wallace drives the No. 23 Toyota, Alex Bowman the No. 48 Chevrolet, and Ryan Preece the No. 60 Ford.
The 0.533-mile concrete oval offers repeatable loads and short-run intensity, ideal for validating construction and compound choices.
Controlled fall-off is the headline objective, rewarding tire management without creating unmanageable drop-off over a stint.
Another focus is avoiding the excessive wear seen at Bristol on September 13, 2025, while still challenging drivers and engineers.
Controlled fall-off, not excessive degradation, is the core target for Goodyear’s 2026 Bristol tire.
Consistency across a wide temperature window is also key, ensuring predictable grip from cool mornings through hotter afternoon runs.
The sessions include NASCAR’s 750-horsepower package for 2026 on road courses and ovals under 1.5 miles, potentially shifting handling characteristics.
The 750-horsepower package is slated for 2026 on road courses and short ovals, and is under evaluation at Bristol.
Teams will translate findings into camber, pressure, and run-plan baselines for the spring and fall Bristol events.
The 2026 schedule features the Food City 500 on April 12 and the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 19 in the playoffs.
Wallace, Bowman, and Preece provide manufacturer-wide coverage for Toyota, Chevrolet, and Ford during the test.
The test underlines a collaborative, iterative approach between NASCAR and Goodyear to refine racing at a unique, high-load short track.
Outcomes are expected to shape tire selection, strategy windows, and car setups for both Bristol races next season.
Visual Summary
⏱️
Goodyear tests Bristol’s next-generation tire:
Chasing perfect grip & strategy 🛞💡
New compound, 750hp, 3 manufacturers, 2 days, 1 iconic short track.
Chasing perfect grip & strategy 🛞💡
New compound, 750hp, 3 manufacturers, 2 days, 1 iconic short track.
Toyota
Chevy
Ford
Chevy
Ford
⚖️
Goal: Strategic Fall-Off
Controlled grip loss for smarter racing
🛡️
Avoid Excess Wear
No repeats of 2025 tire trouble
🌡️
Temp Reliable
Consistent from cool to hot
What’s next?
Food City 500: April 12, 2026
Bass Pro Shops Night Race: Sept 19, 2026
Food City 500: April 12, 2026
Bass Pro Shops Night Race: Sept 19, 2026
John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.
