Goodyear's daring predictions about its latest tire compound debuting this weekend, in addition to changes at Watkins Glen International, mean drivers and teams will face a troublesome pairing in Sunday's Cup playoff race.
“Watkins Glen is not the typical Watkins Glen that we’ve seen in the past,” explained Joey Logano, who’s the one driver to qualify for Round 12 after winning in Atlanta. “They modified just a few things on the track. They added some shakedown strips on the primary corner that keep you from going too far off the curb. They modified the curb right on the bus stop where you’re not going to throw them into the corner as much, after which they added shakedown strips on the exit of the carousel to maintain you from going too far off the curb, so the track races in another way.
“The cars will want something different from a set-up perspective and they'll also change the tyres. It sounds like the tyre wear is going to be a lot worse, so there's definitely a lot of unknowns.”
Joey Logano, Team Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang
Photo: David Rosenblum / NKP / Motorsport Images
According to Goodyear, it’s estimated that the brand new tire could have a delay of up to 3 seconds, which is able to completely change the pit strategy.
Logano’s Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney admitted that he “don’t know what to expect.” He thinks the anticipated tire wear is a very good change, as are the changes to the track itself.
“The track changes aren't crazy. The bus stop curb is gone, so it'll be different. Some of the thunder they have coming out of the carousel into Turn 1 will change a bit, which I think is positive for the race. You won't be able to just take Turn 1 and jump out onto the apron and still be fast, so you'll need a bit more precision.”
Last 12 months, William Byron led 66 of the 90 laps, with little change throughout the race. The top five riders began in the highest seven. There were only six lead changes in total. Overtaking has proven difficult on the lightning-fast track because it was resurfaced just a few years ago. Well, in June, Goodyear held a tire test at Watkins Glen — inviting Tyler Reddick, Daniel Suarez and Austin Cindric (each representing one in all the series manufacturers) to check several different tire compounds. As a result, the track will probably be using a very latest tire compound this weekend, and Goodyear says it can make the race “dramatically” different.
Three seconds of tire falling off
Speaking concerning the expected tyre offs, Goodyear Race Director Greg Stucker said: “This could of course mean more overtaking throughout the race. Road circuits are always difficult as drivers are limited in the number of 'passing zones' so the increased tyre offs should lead to more entrants as some drivers manage their tyres and gain an advantage during their runs.”
And the crew chiefs appear to agree. Legacy Motor Club's Dave Elenz, who works atop Erik Jones's box, said of the changes: “You're not going to be able to stay on the old tires and maintain track position. Like some of these guys have done in the past, you're going to have to put the tires on when the caution comes out and work hard to get back in position. That's going to be the biggest crash we've ever had.”
The teams could have a (barely) longer rehearsal at Watkins Glen, with Group A and Group B each getting 20 minutes on the two.45-mile road course.
