ROSSBURG, Ohio — With the backdrop of one of the most historic races in dirt late model racing, the World 100 at Eldora Speedway, officials from Hoosier Racing Tire, the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series announced a National Late Model Tire.
The tire will be purpose-built by Hoosier and will encompass all super late model racing beginning with the 2023 season.
The formation of the new NLMT program began as a consolidation of the expansive dirt super late model tire selections currently offered by Hoosier.
Amending the existing complex tire program, new offerings will be reduced to just three 90-inch tires and three 92-inch tires for 2023. Subsequently, the former 4-digit numbered compounds will now be simplified, represented by 1, 2, 3 or 4.
With its inception, the NLMT tire is designed as a no-groove, no-sipe program and will be the only dirt super late model tire offered by Hoosier.
Consolidation of Hoosier’s current offerings is expected to significantly reduce both the time and labor costs typically associated with tire preparation, helping offset the recent tire shortages.
Teams will now be able to carry a lower inventory, due to reduced variety and will decrease their supply of wheels kept on hand. Another key benefit of the NLMT program focuses on the less aggressive compounds utilized, which should allow teams to consume fewer tires.
The announcement was made at Eldora Speedway earlier this afternoon and among those present were Hoosier Racing Tire Product Manager Shannon Rush, World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter, Director of the Lucas Oil Late Model Series Rick Schwallie, Hoosier Racing Tire Vice President Paul Menting and Eldora Speedway owner Tony Stewart.
“Creation of the NLMT program and beginning a consolidation has been part of Hoosier’s vision and was accelerated with the help of our partners, including Lucas Oil and World Racing Group,” Menting said. “They saw the need for this type of program and really started the ball rolling for us.”