Goodyear predicts Watkins Glen NASCAR Playoff race to see notable tire changes

Goodyear Tire is reportedly expecting to see a major difference with their new tire compound in Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Watkins Glen. Per motorsports writer Matt Weaver, Goodyear expects a three-second falloff projection on the different tire compound this weekend.

Weaver wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

"Watkins Glen International has traditionally been the superspeedway of road courses for NASCAR Cup cars with high speeds and minimal tire wear. The racing at the Southern Tier, New York track will look dramatically different this year, with the new Goodyear tire producing three seconds of lap-time fall-off over the course of a run."

Weaver's statement noted that they tested at the 2.45-mile road course earlier this summer. For the most part, the statement said there was positive feedback from the drivers who participated.

"Fall-off will change the thinking of teams that may not just be able to back-time from the end of the race and pit when their fuel window opens up. Tire wear will be a factor and tire management will come more into play as race runs progress."

Based on the test and a WFT test with the manufacturers, Goodyear's director of racing Greg Stucker expects the three-second fall-off per lap over a run to play a pivotal role in how the race unfolds.

"That, of course, can mean more passing throughout the race," Stucker said. "It's always tricky on road courses as drivers take advantage of a limited number of 'passing zones,' so the increased fall-off should lead to more comers and goers as some drivers manage their tires and gain on the field as the run goes on."

The new tire compound is an 18-inch Road Course Radials with a circumference of 2,275 mm. The tire's minimum recommended inflation is 26 psi for the left front, 24 psi for the right front, and 21 psi for the left and right rears.

The three team/driver combinations that participated in the summer test include Joey Logano and the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, Tyler Reddick and the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota, and Daniel Suarez in the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet.

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Watkins Glen set to host its first playoff race

Nicknamed "The Glen," this racetrack has been an integral part of NASCAR's schedule since 1986. However, since NASCAR implemented the playoffs in 2004, it's never been on the ten-race playoff slate.

That changes for the first time this season as Watkins Glen International hosts the second race of the Round of 16 in the 90-lap Go Bowling at The Glen. Race coverage begins at 3 p.m. EST and can be watched on the USA Network or listened to on the Motor Racing Network.