Goodyear, NASCAR’s official tire partner, has been pushed by Denny Hamlin to increase its investment on tire falloff. The driver for Joe Gibbs Racing expressed his desire before the $4.7 billion brand, highlighting the undesirable circumstances caused by the existing product (as reported by Bloomberg). Because the aero package restricts their ability to pass and take advantage of critical moments, teams have focused more on working their way through the tires with the introduction of NextGen cars in 2022. The option tires were first offered by Goodyear in a points-paying race at the Richmond Raceway and in the 2024 Million-dollar All-Star event. Although alternative tires offer improved entertainment and strategic moves, Hamlin noted that the present tire package “needs to be softer.”
The winner of the 2025 Martinsville race brought attention to the tire problem. According to him, a stage typically ends after about 70 laps, at which point the compound needs to be replaced. However, he insisted on cutting the fall-off window to around 30 to 40 laps. Concerns over Goodyear’s equipment were voiced by Denny Hamlin. The JGR driver said that until new equipment is installed, it might not be feasible to create softer tires because the company’s equipment has reached the end of its useful life. In order to address the “process issue,” the #11 Toyota driver recommended that Goodyear “invest more money.” “He said,” Through Dirty Mo Media
How much softer they can get is beyond me. The question is how much they can accomplish. They’re going to need to retool or something because of a process issue, I believe. With the tools they now have, I believe they have reached the limit of how soft they can make a tire. To get a softer tire, they will need to spend more money on the necessary equipment. However, Hamlin stated that it must be softer (40:50). Drivers would have to pit considerably early with softer tires, which would require strategic changes and improve the competitive environment overall.
After satisfying his ten-year thirst in Martinsville, Denny Hamlin expresses his emotions
Before claiming his first victory of the season on the seventh weekend at the Martinsville Speedway, Denny Hamlin had a mixed showing throughout the course of the six Cup weekends. The 55-time Cup Series race champion started the 400-lap race in fifth place and took the lead on Lap 126, putting him in a strong position to win. Hamlin didn’t turn around. With the exception of 326, where he and teammate Christopher Bell battled for the top place following the final restart, the #11 Toyota driver led every lap. The former drove away for a commanding 4.617-second lead while taking the checkered flag, even though the identical machinery was below.
The victory was the JGR driver’s first since 2015 on the paper-clip-shaped course. “It was simply incredible. The vehicle was excellent. It fulfilled all of my needs. I’m overjoyed to have won with Chris; I got 55. Naturally, I love winning here in Martinsville, where I spent so many years racing late models and other things,” Hamlin said to NASCAR. With Chris Gayle as the new crew chief, Denny Hamlin’s first victory comes at the Cook Out 400.
