By Sunday 
A New Layer of Strategy at Phoenix Raceway
Tire strategy has always been a crucial element in NASCAR, but today’s Cup race at Phoenix brings an added wrinkle. With both a primary tire and an option tire in play, teams must carefully decide when to use each compound to maximize their performance.
The last time this format was used—at Richmond last August—teams deployed vastly different strategies. Daniel Suarez, guided by crew chief Matt Swiderski, leveraged the option tire early and nearly turned it into a top-five finish. Meanwhile, Austin Dillon focused on the primary tire and ultimately won the race after a dramatic last-lap incident.
Now, as teams prepare for today’s 312-lap battle at Phoenix, the same strategic dilemmas arise: When is the best time to use the option tire? Should teams save them for the final stage or gamble early to gain track position?
Understanding the Primary vs. Option Tire
Teams will have six sets of primary tires (yellow lettering) and two sets of option tires (red lettering). The primary tire offers better durability over long runs, while the option tire delivers an initial burst of speed but wears out quicker.
Conventional wisdom suggests most teams will save their option tires for the final stage—possibly reserving one for a late caution scenario, similar to Richmond. However, Phoenix’s less abrasive surface could allow option tires to hold their speed longer than they did at Richmond, making them a more viable choice earlier in the race.
The Risk and Reward of an Early Option Tire Call
Swiderski’s strategy at Richmond provides a blueprint for those looking to break away from the norm. Suarez started that race in 22nd, climbed to 15th during the first 74 laps on primary tires, and then surged to the lead within 14 laps of switching to the option tire.
Had a late caution not bunched up the field, Suarez might have finished much higher than 10th. This raises a key question: Which teams feel they are in that 10th-to-15th range today and might roll the dice early?
For drivers struggling mid-pack, an early switch to option tires could help them avoid going a lap down. But once both sets are used, they’ll be at a disadvantage if late cautions allow others to switch back to fresh option tires.
Dillon’s Winning Formula: Prioritize the Primary Tire
Austin Dillon’s victory at Richmond proves that mastering the primary tire remains the key to success. “I think that’s the most important thing, being good on the (primary tire),” Dillon told NBC Sports. “If you’re good on the (primary tire) and you’re just mediocre on the (option tire), you’re going to be better off.”
His Richmond win, though overshadowed by a dramatic last-lap spin involving Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, was built on a strong performance during the race’s longest runs on primary tires.
However, Dillon acknowledges that Phoenix is less abrasive than Richmond, which could allow option tires to hold up longer. That factor might encourage some teams to test them earlier than usual.
More Strategy, More Excitement
While the option tire introduces an element of unpredictability, Dillon believes it enhances the racing product. “I think it’s great. Creates more strategy. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I think we should run an option tire everywhere. It’s cool to me. It’s just more strategy.”
With teams weighing their choices, today’s race at Phoenix could come down to who plays the tire game best. Will a driver gamble early to gain track position, or will patience and proper tire management lead to victory? As always in NASCAR, the right call at the right time could make all the difference.