According to the Hoosier Racing Tires press release, one left-rear tire will be produced for winged sprint cars. The RD12 left rear and H12 left rear will be consolidated into one, “featuring a hybrid construction between the two previous tires and a modified tread pattern on both shoulders to reduce blistering and chunking.”
There will be two options for the new right-rear tires — the D15A and Medium. The D15A has a slightly firmer tread compound. The Medium compound as well as the front tire offering will remain unchanged, according to Hoosier Racing Tires.
“I think the last year was pretty painful from a professional racing standpoint,” Sweet said. “You could only buy a certain number of tires and you didn’t know when you could buy more. Hoosier is trying to solve some of the issues they have by making the tire harder, more durable. The cost of the tires are certainly getting a little out of hand. I get it, there’s inflation and the rise of the raw materials they use and the labor cost, but it’s been tough on the racers.
“I’m hoping this new tire will last a little longer. I’m hoping Hoosier can keep up with the supply a little better. The thought process is right, but I’m not 100 percent sure how it’s going to go until I see it,” Sweet added. “The last few years we’ve all been on the H tire, but no one has discussed the racing product. We’re getting to the point where we’re just building a tire that’s more about everyone is the same. There’s no options, no ingenuity, everyone’s the same. It doesn’t matter if it’s a brick or what it is. I still think the cream will rise to the top. I don’t think the racing will be much different than the last few years.”
Teams were allowed to use older tires to start the season before the new tire rule goes into effect for the World of Outlaws on March 10.
“It’s definitely going to be different,” Gravel said. “It will be a game-changer for sure. It would have been good to start the season out with the new tire. It will be kind of a weird transition, but it is what it is. Hopefully, there’s no supply-chain issues.”
This story appeared in the March 8, 2023 edition of the SPEED SPORT Insider.
