How to understand NASCAR racing radial tires

Member

By pitroadtoad
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (18 Ratings)

The TOAD explains NASCAR race tires!

This article will address the racing tires, and their importance to the Race Teams in the NASCAR series. Tire technology has reached an all time pinnacle in racing. There is even a 'Tire Specialist' that is hired by race teams to insure that the race cars and drivers get the most from their tires!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Time to learn.
Desire to work in NASCAR
Desire to drive safe and smart.

Step 1

For those who may be interested in getting into the field of either 'Tire Changer' or 'Tire Specialist'... I would like to recommend that you explore several avenues. First, there are several excellent technical institutes that will instruct, and certify you in this field.

Mooresville, NC has two such schools, the NASCAR Technical Institute, and the NASCAR Pit Training School. Another viable alternative is the "Crew School" in Asheboro, NC. Continue to read this article if you think this occupation is for you!
Step 2

As may be expected, there is a tremendous difference between the tires used in NASCAR when compared to those that are used on our own automobiles. First, a NASCAR racing tire is designed to last only a specific distance... this is usually around 150 miles!

These tires are a foot wide, and slick with no tread! They can withstand speeds in excess of two hundred (200) MPH!

Unbelievably, each track that our favorite drivers compete at, has a specific tire type custom manufactured by Goodyear, that is only to be used for that track! Once at the track, a typical race team will use anywhere from nine (9) to fourteen (14) full set of tires!
Step 3

Tire compound... or rubber composition, makes these tires either 'soft' or 'hard'. These terms pertain to the resilience and consistency of the rubber. Generally, the softer the compound, the more traction or grip the tire provides.

The track surface plays a major role in the determination of what compound must be used. Asphalt tracks require a different tire compound than concrete tracks. The resulting logistics require Goodyear to manufacture eighteen (18) different tire types!

NASCAR tires currently have no tread! This is because, as previously mentioned a 'slick'... or smooth surface allows more of the tire rubber to come into contact with the track... thus increasing traction.

Of course, this principal is only applicable on 'dry' tracks... and that is why you see so many "rain delays" in NASCAR.

This may soon change! NASCAR is currently reintroducing a "Rain Tire" that was recently available at the Zippo 200 Nationwide race on August the 8th of this year in Watkins Glen.
Step 4

A Crew Member applies lug nuts with adheasive to tires and rims at a Sprint Cup Race!

The 'Tire Changer' is the crew member responsible for replacing tires in pit stops. This dude is usually pretty stout, as each tire and wheel assembly weighs in the neighborhood of fifty (50) pounds!

As you will see in this photo, the lug-nuts are glued into place with a silicon adhesive onto the wheel rim to facilitate the Tire Changer who will then use a high speed air wrench when installing the new tires and wheels in a pit stop!

Not only is the Tire Changer required to change four (4) tires in less than 14 seconds... he also removes the old set, which is often heated up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit!
Step 5

Lastly, I would like to educate those of you whom may be interested in the safety aspects of these NASCAR racing tires. In 1966, Goodyear introduced a racing tire engineering breakthrough. This was basically a tire that contained an "Inner Liner" for safety at high speeds. (See Cartoon a top!) This inner liner is still used toady, and is required at tracks that exceed one mile.