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 collection, 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 decisions for drivers and groups as IndyCar continues to boost wheel-to-wheel racing motion and turbocharge the championship weekend,” in keeping 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 could use their weekend allotment unrestricted in apply 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 highway 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 are not 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 latest prevalence taking place on Aug. 27, 2023 at Gateway.
“Firestone has finished an exceptional job with this expanded format,” IndyCar President Jay Frye stated.
“Will probably be fascinating to observe how the completely different methods play out. We stay up for a tremendous race and championship for the NTT IndyCar Sequence at Nashville Superspeedway.”
Scott McLaughlin, Staff Penske Chevrolet pit cease
Picture by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Photos
Moreover, every entry will obtain a 3rd and completely different set to particularly use throughout the high-line group apply 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,” stated Cara Krstolic, director, Race Tire Engineering and Manufacturing, chief engineer, Firestone.
“Our Firestone workforce rose to the problem of a particularly brief design cycle and its shortest-ever manufacturing timeframe to provide tires for a now heavier hybrid powered automobile on a observe the NTT IndyCar Sequence hasn’t competed on since 2008.
Seeking to create an “thrilling race”
“Following two assessments on the Nashville oval, we labored with IndyCar to create differentiation in tires that would supply followers and rivals with an thrilling race. To attain that purpose, 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 purpose for the alternate tire is to have important put on and degradation to the purpose that workforce pit cease methods may change as tires could put on earlier than the tip of a gas stint. They’re additionally designed for the completely different grip ranges of the 2 sorts of tires to assist in creating extra passing alternatives.”
The ultimate weekend of the 2024 IndyCar season begins with apply at 11am ET on Saturday, Sept. 14, with qualifying set for two:15pm. The high-line apply is about for later that very same day at 5:15pm, adopted by remaining apply at 6pm. The race, set for 206 laps on the 1.33-mile oval, is about for Sunday, Sept. 15 at 3pm.
