While over-the-wall employees and their movements will remain mostly unchanged, some changes will be seen in 2021. Crew members will not be able to replace tires in one-fifth the time it currently takes; the new, bigger single lug will require greater torque to correctly secure the wheel. These changes are intended to make races more exciting by creating more tire wear during each trip around the track.
The change was made so that all four wheels of every car were used in each pit stop, instead of just three as is done now. This ensures that each driver has an equal chance of winning or losing based on how well they manage their car in the race conditions. Before this change, some drivers would only need to visit the bathroom once while others might need to go twice or even three times if they were able to keep their air pressure up with frequent stops.
In addition to making races more interesting, this change will also benefit the fans by giving them a better show to watch. The current system where three tires are changed at a time allows for crews to manipulate which tires get replaced and keeps them interested in what's happening under the hood during the stop. With all four wheels being used, there will be less focus on one particular side of the car due to the fact that everything about it needs to be balanced equally in order to maintain stability on the track.
This change was proposed by former crew chief Dave Rogers.
While some are designed to utilize the factory lug nuts or bolts from your present wheel, others will require something else if the new wheel's lug seat type is different. If the hole on the face of the wheel requires tuner type lugs or a shorter lug, you'll also need new lug nuts or bolts. The same goes for if the hole in the center of the wheel is larger than the stock size, such as 14 inches instead of 15 or 16 inches.
The best way to tell if your new wheel requires new lug nuts is to take a look at the instructions that came with it. Some will say nothing about changing out the lug nuts, while others will give specific instructions on how to do so. If there are no instructions, then this is something you'll have to research on your own before buying new nuts. However, most auto parts stores should be able to help you find the correct ones for your application.
Even if your new wheel has regular lug nuts, they may not be the right size for your vehicle. Before you go purchasing new ones, make sure you get the right fit by measuring the distance between the holes in the existing lug nuts and comparing them to the specifications listed on the wheel manufacturer's website. You should be getting close to the right size if there is room for improvement but too small if you're going to need bigger nuts later on.
Winkler, George NASCAR.com Goodyear and NASCAR have been working on plans to offer a new tire to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2021. Instead of the present 15-inch tires, the new tires are expected to be 18-inch in size, and the shift would correspond with the release of the Generation-7 car. The announcement will likely happen at this year's NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday, January 24.
The new tires are part of an effort by NASCAR to make its tracks more dangerous and keep drivers from running into each other. The change is being made because current tires are too durable and don't wear down enough to prevent drivers from taking excessive risks during race starts and stops. The goal is to create more side-by-side racing by making the cars more prone to failure.
Goodyear has been testing various tire combinations since May 2019 at five different tracks across North America. The latest test involved six different combinations of tires at Daytona International Speedway in February. No decision has been made on what brand of tire will be used nor where it will be manufactured, but expect announcements to be made soon.
The new tires are expected to be available in early 2021.
After the first 50 to 100 miles of driving, new wheels should be re-torqued.
| Hardware Bolt or Stud Size | Typical Torque Range in Ft/Lbs | Minimum Number of Turns of Hardware Engagement |
|---|---|---|
| 14 x 1.25 mm | 85 – 90 | 9 |
| 7/16 in. | 70 – 80 | 9 |
| 1/2 in. | 75 – 85 | 8 |
| 9/16 in. | 135 – 145 | 8 |
Goodyear officially became NASCAR's exclusive tire supplier in April 1997; this agreement was later extended through 2022. This was considered as a precautionary move to avoid another tire conflict. Before the agreement, Michelin and Firestone were also used by various teams.
Under this contract, all races run during the season are required to use exclusively either Goodyears or Cup Series-exclusive brands (Bridgestone and Hoosier). The exception is when Goodyear does not have a suitable race tire available; then other manufacturers can be used on a case-by-case basis.
As part of its partnership with NASCAR, Goodyear has the opportunity to influence tire selection for each weekend's events. Teams have the option of using any of the three series-approved tires (each with different compounds designed to offer distinct performances) or any of the 15 different qualifying tires at each track.
However, since 2004, all drivers must use the same type of tire throughout the entire race. The change was made after several incidents where multiple drivers had tire failures during separate portions of the race. This led to some concerns that some cars might have an advantage if they were able to switch off between different types of tires throughout the course of the event.
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