Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports car, gave a frank assessment of Goodyear’s new tire compound used in the recent Dover race, stating it made “no difference.” The comment followed the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway, where the one-mile concrete track and high banking offered a unique challenge for the newly introduced tires.
The fresh Goodyear Racing Eagle tires were designed specifically for Dover’s July conditions, aiming to improve performance on hot concrete and enhance on-track competition. Despite these intentions, Larson noted that the tires did not significantly alter car handling or lap times as hoped, following a late-race restart after rain affected the tire wear.
Kyle Larson discusses lack of impact from Goodyear’s new Dover tire compound
After finishing fourth in the Dover race, Larson spoke to the media with mixed feelings about the new tire technology. While he observed that the tire reset caused by rain and a subsequent red flag changed the track conditions, the overall effect on his car’s balance was negligible. He expressed hope the tires would boost field separation, which ultimately did not occur.
“I didn’t notice a single difference today,” he said.
“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.
The tire compound, identified as D-5240 for the left sides and D-5260 for the right, was exclusive for this Dover race and will not be used again for the rest of the season. Goodyear’s intent was to create a rubber that could better adhere to the smooth surface and maintain grip in the hotter July temperatures compared to the usual spring race date at Dover.
Reflection on recent struggles and performance obstacles leading into Dover
Kyle Larson also took time during the weekend to address his recent challenges over the NASCAR Cup Series season. After an impressive opening period highlighted by three wins in 12 races, Larson acknowledged a downturn starting around late May, following his grueling doubleheader of the Coca-Cola 600 and Indy 500.
He admitted that while initial problems stemmed from lack of speed, a series of unfortunate events during races exacerbated the situation, causing a snowball effect in the performance slump. Speaking with Racer, Larson described the situation:
“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.”
His result at Dover, placing fourth, may signal a gradual recovery, but Larson acknowledged the difficulty his team has faced in trying to overcome the streak of setbacks.
“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.
The downturn followed a weekend where Larson crashed in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 Memorial Day events. Since then, he has had a mixture of results, including top-ten finishes like eighth at Nashville and fifth at Michigan, but also disappointing races such as 36th in Mexico City and 35th at Sonoma. At Atlanta, Larson finished 17th after starting 11th, underscoring the inconsistency.
Implications for NASCAR racing and outlook on tire performance
Goodyear’s new tire strategy at Dover was intended to improve race quality by withstanding higher temperatures and providing greater variety in performance across the field. However, Larson’s comments suggest the expected impact on racing dynamics and field separation fell short. This feedback from a top driver may influence Goodyear and NASCAR as they evaluate tire compounds for future events.
As teams and drivers adjust to recent challenges, Larson and Hendrick Motorsports remain focused on regaining momentum in the tightly contested NASCAR Cup Series. The response to new tire technology and ongoing performance developments at venues like Dover will continue to shape the season’s competitiveness and outcomes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyle Larson better than Verstappen?
A. Larson probably can’t outpace Verstappen in Formula 1, but he’s generally more adaptable than anyone else. Bianchi believes Larson deserves credit because his skills span a wider range. He is achieving success in many different kinds of race cars.
Q. Asked about Larson’s claim on Thursday, he had just two coy words: Asked Max Verstappen for his response to Kyle Larson’s comments about being a better all-round driver – Max just smiled and said: \x26quot;That’s fine. Everyone thinks their own way, right?\x26quot; With a quick detour to another sport, let me put it this way.
A. How did Max Verstappen react to Kyle Larson?