IndyCar’s groups and drivers could have extra choices for his or her tires and techniques going into the season finale subsequent weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. In an announcement this afternoon, the sequence, in partnership with Firestone have added an alternate tire compound for the race Sept. 14-15.
The choice, softer compound might be used along with the more durable major tires as “one other set of choices, methods and decisions for drivers and groups as IndyCar continues to reinforce wheel-to-wheel racing motion and turbocharge the championship weekend,” in line with the press launch.
The weekend’s tire allotment has been up to date to notice that every entry will obtain six units of primaries and 4 units of alternates. Groups might use their weekend allotment unrestricted in observe and qualifying, however are required to make use of one set of primaries and two units of alternates for the race.
How will or not it’s enforced?
Just like the format on street and road circuits, vehicles should log a accomplished two laps on every set of required tires, with a failure to conform leading to a one-lap penalty at a minimal.
One of many different new components to the occasion are that there aren’t any necessities whether or not the tires utilized throughout the race are new or used. This can mark the second time alternate tires have been used on an oval, with the opposite current prevalence occurring on Aug. 27, 2023 at Gateway.
“Firestone has completed an exceptional job with this expanded format,” IndyCar President Jay Frye mentioned.
“Will probably be attention-grabbing to look at how the completely different methods play out. We stay up for an incredible race and championship for the NTT IndyCar Collection at Nashville Superspeedway.”
Scott McLaughlin, Workforce Penske Chevrolet pit cease
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Photographs
Moreover, every entry will obtain a 3rd and completely different set to particularly use throughout the high-line group observe to try to improve a second groove.
“The time between the announcement of a brand new Nashville venue and the race itself was simply seven months,” mentioned Cara Krstolic, director, Race Tire Engineering and Manufacturing, chief engineer, Firestone.
“Our Firestone group rose to the problem of an especially brief design cycle and its shortest-ever manufacturing timeframe to provide tires for a now heavier hybrid powered automobile on a monitor the NTT IndyCar Collection hasn’t competed on since 2008.
Trying to create an “thrilling race”
“Following two checks on the Nashville oval, we labored with IndyCar to create differentiation in tires that would offer followers and opponents with an thrilling race. To attain that objective, Firestone is offering an alternate tire for the Music Metropolis Grand Prix. Classes realized from introducing alternates on an oval final season at St. Louis additionally contributed to our preparation.
“The objective for the alternate tire is to have important put on and degradation to the purpose that group pit cease methods might change as tires might put on earlier than the top of a gasoline stint. They’re additionally designed for the completely different grip ranges of the 2 forms of tires to help in creating extra passing alternatives.”
The ultimate weekend of the 2024 IndyCar season begins with observe at 11am ET on Saturday, Sept. 14, with qualifying set for two:15pm. The high-line observe is about for later that very same day at 5:15pm, adopted by remaining observe at 6pm. The race, set for 206 laps on the 1.33-mile oval, is about for Sunday, Sept. 15 at 3pm.
