Kyle Larson Goodyear Dover tire review became a focal point after the Hendrick Motorsports driver finished fourth at the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. Speaking just after the race on Dover Motor Speedway’s notoriously tough concrete track, Larson stated he did not notice any difference with the newly introduced Goodyear Racing Eagle tires, which were specifically designed for this event.
According to footage distributed by Frontstretch, Larson was questioned post–race about whether the tire change, compounded by a late shower and red flag, made any impact on his car’s behavior. The hope from teams and Goodyear alike was that the new tire compound would alter race dynamics, particularly under the demands of Dover’s mid-summer surface. However, the anticipated effect did not materialize according to Larson’s experience on track.
“I didn’t notice a single difference today,” he said.
The design for these tires was unique: Goodyear rolled out brand-new codes, D-5240 and D-5260, for the left and right sides, making their debut—and final—appearance in a Cup Series event this season. Engineers aimed to create a compound capable of holding up better in July heat compared to the standard spring rubber, hoping to promote more on-track separation and maintain competitive performance on the slick concrete.
“So I thought the style of how you kind manage to run and lap times and all that were very similar. So I didn’t feel any different,” Larson added.
Despite these intentions, the separation among cars did not develop, leaving competitors like Larson less than impressed after what should have been an unpredictable tire test under race conditions. Both Goodyear and the NASCAR Cup Series field will likely be evaluating these results as they prepare for future developments.
Recent Struggles and Larson’s Battle to Regain Form
Before the Dover event, Kyle Larson also openly addressed a stretch of inconsistent performances following his demanding Memorial Day double featuring the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600. While his early NASCAR season was marked by considerable success, earning three victories from a dozen starts and solidifying his reputation as a top contender, the following eight races became a series of complications and missed opportunities.
Larson observed that sluggish speed was an initial obstacle, but repeated adverse events during races magnified those challenges. His comments to Racer before the race expressed both the pressure felt within the Hendrick Motorsports team and his commitment to improvement.
“At the beginning of the struggles, I felt like when we didn’t have the speed, we were executing well… Then we had some races where we got caught up in some unfortunate things, too, and it all snowballed.”
Despite finishing fourth at Dover, Larson noted that the team’s recent issues have made each weekend difficult, though he remains optimistic about overcoming these hurdles. His performance record since Memorial Day reflects several moderate results, including eighth at Nashville and fifth at Michigan, but also some disappointing showings—35th at Sonoma, 36th in Mexico City, and a lower mid-pack finish in Atlanta after a stronger qualifying effort.
“Just been tough to get out of the rut, but through it all, I do believe we’ll come out the other side even stronger,” he said.
This series of setbacks started with on-track incidents over Memorial Day: Larson’s attempt at both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 resulted in crashes at each venue. While his campaign for the 2021 championship set high expectations, Larson has since been striving to bring both speed and execution together as the season progresses.
Implications for Goodyear, the Cup Series, and Larson’s Season
Kyle Larson’s forthright remarks about the Goodyear Racing Eagle tires offer NASCAR, Goodyear, and the wider motorsports community a reality check on the impact— or apparent lack thereof— of strategic tire changes at critical venues like Dover Motor Speedway. For Goodyear, the reception means further adjustments may be necessary before similar compounds are rolled out at comparable tracks. For Larson and the Hendrick Motorsports group, the result in Dover and the mixed run of form since May highlight both the depth of competition in the NASCAR Cup Series and the resilience required to rebound from ongoing setbacks. The coming races will test whether Larson’s optimism pays off and if Goodyear’s efforts at tire innovation start delivering the race-changing results teams are seeking.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyle Larson better than Verstappen?
A. Larson may not defeat Verstappen in F1, but he is incredibly versatile. According to Bianchi, Larson’s achievements are broad. He excels in many different types of vehicles.
