Joey Logano has shared new details about the Goodyear tire testing for the NASCAR Cup Series, describing a radical compound tried at New Hampshire Motor Speedway that Goodyear ultimately rejected for playoff use. These revelations about the Joey Logano Goodyear tire testing expose the challenging decisions tire makers and teams face when balancing high-performance racing with safety during crucial NASCAR events.
Goodyear’s Tire Development Pushes Boundaries for New Hampshire
During a Goodyear-organized tire test held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, Joey Logano, joined by Christopher Bell and Ross Chastain, evaluated several new tire compounds across two demanding days. Among the options, one tire stood out as especially aggressive, requiring drivers to carefully manage its performance to complete a 40-lap stint—far fewer laps than NASCAR’s usual tire longevity expectations.
Joey Logano openly described this tire’s performance.
“There was a tire we ran that 40 laps was, you had to manage the tire to make it 40,”
Logano explained in an interview.
“I like that, right? I mean, you look at what happened at Bristol last week, I think everybody likes it. I mean, as a driver, I thought it was awesome.”
— Joey Logano, Cup Series Champion. This candid insight highlighted how ambitious the compound was and the excitement it generated among drivers, even as it challenged norms around tire durability and car handling.
The promising yet risky nature of the new tire drove the decision not to introduce it for the playoffs. Logano addressed its potential dangers:
“Pretty risky to do, especially in the playoffs, like if it doesn’t work out, it could be a total fiasco,”
he acknowledged. — Joey Logano, Cup Series Champion. Given the high stakes of the playoff rounds, Goodyear selected their more established D-5254 and D-5256 compounds. These tires had already proven themselves at key tracks including Richmond Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and during the NASCAR All-Star Race. Their track record ensured competitive lap time drops without compromising safety during the season’s most critical races.
Exclusive Tire Test May Influence Playoff Strategies
The July tire test offered a unique advantage for the three drivers involved as the NASCAR Cup Series moved into the next playoff segment. Veteran driver and commentator Jeff Burton remarked on Logano’s strong test performance, sharing,
“everybody said Logano was absolutely flying”
during the closed test session. — Jeff Burton, NASCAR Broadcaster.
Burton, however, urged caution regarding how much this private testing might benefit the drivers, pointing out the unpredictability of racing environments.
“There’s been many tire tests I went to, and I was absolutely horrible. I went back and had a great run, and vice versa… So I caution you a little bit about tire testing because when you get there, the weather is different, the rubber is on the racetrack.”
— Jeff Burton, NASCAR Broadcaster. His comments underscored uncertainties that can arise when transitioning from a test environment to actual race conditions, including variables like track temperature and rubber buildup.
The absence of the remaining nine playoff drivers at this key tire test could nevertheless confer a significant competitive edge to Logano, Bell, and Chastain. Their firsthand experience with Goodyear’s latest compounds at New Hampshire Motor Speedway may shape race strategies, tire management, and adaptability as the championship race intensifies. This inside knowledge may ultimately impact both the outcome of the playoffs and broader tire development decisions within NASCAR moving forward.
Interesting anecdote from Joey Logano: Goodyear apparently tested another tire compound for New Hampshire that had such aggressive falloff that they had to be managed just to have them last 40 laps.
Logano wanted to give it a try, but they noted it was "pretty risky" to bring… pic.twitter.com/CwFFYmbSmQ
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) September 20, 2025
