Goodyear set to introduce “extremely aggressive” Cup tier at Watkins Glen

NASCAR tier provider Goodyear is set to introduce an aggressive tier which the racing community as been asking for a long time.

Goodyear set to introduce “extremely aggressive” Cup tier at Watkins Glen

Joey Logano bags the first win in Next Gen NASCAR toping pole-sitter Kyle Busch in ‘Clash at the Coliseum’ (Via IMAGO)

Since the start of the Next-Gen era, one of the biggest conversations in the community has been the tiers becoming less of a factor in the races. Unlike in the past where the tiers played a major role in the strategies of the teams, the 7th Gen car made them almost invincible unless it was the extra soft compounds used in Bristol and some few short-tracks this season.

Many drivers and pundits have been asking NASCAR to use more soft tiers to make racing great again, as this would also help to solve the lack of passing issues in the current era. Goodyear seems to have listened to the demands from the fans to make tier saving and pit strategy important yet again as they are set to introduce new compounds at Watkins Glen.

YouTube video

Dave Moody of NASCAR Sirius XM reported that Goodyear’s Greg Stucker has confirmed that they will introduce an extremely aggressive tier at Glen. It is expected to have a over four seconds of falloff a run, that would force teams to make massive changes to their race strategy in the road course race.

FS Video
Goodyear's Greg Stucker says the new Watkins Glen tire will be "extremely aggressive," with four seconds of falloff over the course of a run.
Dave Moody reported via X.
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Chase Elliott explains in the importance of saving tiers in NASCAR

Though saving tiers has become less of a factor, it is still a difference maker, and driver has to relay on their experience as well data to determines moves on the track. 2020 Cup champion Chase Elliott recently explained factors affecting this decision making.

Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott (Via IMAGO)

The HMS driver listed out the different factors involving balance that dictate tier saving races. He pointed out that the cars being used, how the race is affecting different tiers, the type of the race and which tier being the most are some factors.

Totally depends on your balance. Which end of the car you are using more? Are you hurting the right front? Are you hurting the right rear? Is it a road course? Are we turning right? Is it left front or rear? Yeah so, all kinds of different scenarios.
Chase Elliott said via an HMS post on Instagram.

The Chevy driver made some good points which would become a much bigger factor once the aggressive tier is introduced at Glen. It would be interesting to see how Elliott and co will approach racing with the new tier.

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