When Every Race Feels the Same—Is NASCAR’s Tire Strategy Too Predictable? NASCAR's dwindling viewership may have something to do with predictable race outcomes, and Goodyear's tire compounds may be th

Back in the day, NASCAR races had a sense of unpredictability. Teams experimented with strategies, with some gambling on fuel mileage, while others implemented a two-tire stop to gain a competitive advantage. These weren’t just races, but chess matches, with the battle being fought on pit road as much as they were on the racetrack. Every driver had to decide how much they were willing to push their Goodyears in the early laps, but that element of surprise has faded.

Now, two-tire calls are rare, and fuel mileage strategies have nearly disappeared. Even tire falloff in long green-flag runs is hardly a thing anymore. It’s like the sport has lost an element that made it great once upon a time, as tires have now become a predictable aspect of races, coming at the expense of entertainment.

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