Phoenix Raceway Hit by Surge of NASCAR Cup Tire Failures
Phoenix Raceway recently experienced a troubling spike in tire failures during a practice session for the NASCAR Cup Series. Championship contender Chase Briscoe was the first to face this issue, suffering a left rear tire failure just five minutes into the hour-long practice.
Tire Failures and Suspension Adjustments
These tire failures appeared to be a significant problem, likely linked to teams’ aggressive strategies regarding suspension adjustments and tire pressures. Phoenix Raceway’s distinctive asymmetrical oval layout requires unique compromises in car setup, particularly between turns one and three.
Challenges with Tire Performance
As NASCAR Cup teams strive for optimal speed, they experiment with tire pressures, cambers, and even brake pad compounds. Each of these adjustments can impact tire performance. The cars run on spec shocks, limiting teams from building customized shocks as they used to.
One critical modification in the spec shocks is an internal limiter designed to prevent cars from bottoming out, which can damage the underbody. When shocks hit these limiters, the load is transferred directly to the tires, particularly stressing Goodyear racing slicks.
The Impact of Low Tire Pressures
- Teams commonly start practice with lower tire pressures to preserve tire compound performance.
- As cars bottom out, the tire sidewalls bend significantly, leading to additional stress.
- High loads on tires can cause steel belts in the sidewalls to crack, ultimately leading to tire blowouts.
As tire temperatures and pressures increase, any pre-existing cracks can result in rapid tire failure. Drivers fortunate enough to catch these incidents can return to the garage for adjustments, while others risk collision with the track barriers.
Strategies for Improvement
After observing these tire failures, teams began modifying their setups. The immediate focus was to increase tire pressures or adjust camber settings. However, as teams prepare for the race, they face the challenge of balancing adjustments against the potential consequences on performance and safety.
Ultimately, the situation highlights the fine line teams must navigate with their setups at Phoenix Raceway while seeking to optimize speed without compromising tire integrity.
