When NASCAR’s Cup Series returned to Richmond Raceway in 2024 it came with an exciting twist. Teams will now have tire strategy choices for the first time in a point-paying event. Drivers could select between two Goodyear tire options. One is a softer “option” tire offering more short-term grip but less durability. While harder “prime” tire provides a longer-lasting ride with potentially less grip.
William Byron’s dominating 2025 run continues, with his Phoenix qualifying pole adding to his Daytona 500 win. In his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet he posted a lap of 133.680 mph. He edged out Joey Logano by a narrow margin, marking his 14th career pole. In a Motorsport.com video, Byron expressed disbelief, stating, “I was in disbelief after claiming the Phoenix pole. I wasn’t expecting that chart-topping lap at all.” But everyone was interested in knowing inside information about his team’s tire strategy.
After grabbing the pole at Phoenix Raceway, William Byron discussed the Goodyear option tires with six primary sets and two faster-wearing reds. Logano started alongside on the front row. This pole sets the stage for the 312-mile race, where Byron aims to leverage the new tire strategy to maintain his momentum.
“Honestly, I thought the tire was great,” Byron said when Cooper from Cronkite News asked about practice and qualifying. “It fell off some with heat and sliding around, but it felt good right when we bolted it on. More grip, more pace in the short run, and the progression through the run was exactly what you’d want to see. I felt personally like our car was pretty good on that tire. We have a little work to do on the yellow, but I don’t see any problems with the red. It’s gonna promote a good race and probably a lot of variation between the tires.”
Bob Pockrass from Fox Sports jumped in, asking if Byron knew his race strategy with the tires. “Yeah, I have really no idea what the plan is per se,” Byron admitted. “We have a general sense of when we’d put on the reds, but you have to have some of those in reserve for the end. I just know it’s gonna be varying strategies because the guys in the back of the field will do something different. I anticipate everyone kind of being on different stuff, but probably your top ten guys will be on the same.”
Bob pressed harder on him to know how starting on pole changes his approach. “Yeah, maybe,” Byron said. “I wish I knew a little bit more about the strategy—I try to stay a little removed because it overwhelms my brain. For me, when we’re up front, we’re just gonna do the same thing as the other top-five guys we’re racing with. It could open the door for a 20th-place guy like Suarez did at Richmond, capitalizing on a caution or something, but I’m focused on having the best car we can on both tires.”
Daniel Suárez and Trackhouse Racing’s No. 99 team seized NASCAR’s new tire options at the 2024 Richmond Raceway race. Starting 21st on prime tires, Suárez finished 15th in the first 70-lap stage. During the stage break, they switched to option tires for the restart, placing him 16th. This bold move targeted the softer tires’ grip for a 40- to 45-lap stint, though performance waned later. Suárez’s strategy didn’t clinch a win but highlighted Trackhouse’s innovation, finishing 10th in the Cook Out 400 and showing how tire choices shake up short-track racing.
As William Byron gears up for Sunday’s 312-mile Phoenix race, his focus on mastering both tire options could mirror Suárez’s bold Richmond move, promising a thrilling battle where strategy and speed collide on the track.
William Byron has surprised himself with his Phoenix feat
William Byron edged out Joey Logano by a narrow 0.054 seconds, securing his 14th career pole and first since March 2024 at Bristol, according to NASCAR.com. Byron’s speed stunned the field, beating Logano’s No. 22 Team Penske Ford, which clocked 133.195 mph, for the front-row start in the 312-mile race. Qualifying unfolded in a single round on Saturday, with Byron’s lap surprising even himself.
“I missed my marks, was sideways, carried a ton of entry speed, missed the middle of the corner, and was so loose coming off the dogleg,” Byron said. Logano, the 2024 champion with three Phoenix wins, starts alongside, marking his third front-row start in four races this year. The field lined up with Christopher Bell third in his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at 132.944 mph, followed by Ryan Blaney in fourth and Chase Elliott in fifth, both Chevrolet drivers for Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports, respectively. Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top eight, all posting competitive speeds in Toyota and Chevrolet entries.
NASCAR introduced Goodyear’s option tires for this race with six primary sets and two faster-wearing reds aiming to shake up Phoenix’s pack racing. Byron’s pole sets him up to leverage this strategy, while Logano eyes a strong challenge. The 36-car grid promises a thrilling 312-lap battle, with Byron leading the charge from the top spot.
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