IndyCar’s groups and drivers could have extra choices for his or her tires and methods 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 can be used along with the tougher main tires as “one other set of choices, methods and selections for drivers and groups as IndyCar continues to boost wheel-to-wheel racing motion and turbocharge the championship weekend,” in accordance 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 follow 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?
Much like the format on street and avenue 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 may mark the second time alternate tires have been used on an oval, with the opposite latest incidence taking place on Aug. 27, 2023 at Gateway.
“Firestone has performed an outstanding job with this expanded format,” IndyCar President Jay Frye mentioned.
“It will likely be attention-grabbing to observe how the totally different methods play out. We sit 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 Pictures
Moreover, every entry will obtain a 3rd and totally different set to particularly use throughout the high-line group follow to attempt 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 staff 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 exams on the Nashville oval, we labored with IndyCar to create differentiation in tires that would offer followers and opponents with an thrilling race. To realize that aim, Firestone is offering an alternate tire for the Music Metropolis Grand Prix. Classes discovered from introducing alternates on an oval final season at St. Louis additionally contributed to our preparation.
“The aim for the alternate tire is to have important put on and degradation to the purpose that staff pit cease methods might change as tires might put on earlier than the tip of a gas stint. They’re additionally designed for the totally different grip ranges of the 2 varieties of tires to help in creating extra passing alternatives.”
The ultimate weekend of the 2024 IndyCar season begins with follow at 11am ET on Saturday, Sept. 14, with qualifying set for two:15pm. The high-line follow is ready for later that very same day at 5:15pm, adopted by ultimate follow at 6pm. The race, set for 206 laps on the 1.33-mile oval, is ready for Sunday, Sept. 15 at 3pm.
