NASCAR Introduces New Tire for Atlanta Cup Series Race

Goodyear and NASCAR collaborate on tire changes to increase on-track excitement and strategic pit stops.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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NASCAR is making a change to the right-side tire for this weekend's Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta. The new tire is designed to have increased falloff, meaning the grip will decrease at a faster rate over the course of a run. This is part of a broader effort by NASCAR and tire supplier Goodyear to prioritize tire wear and make races more strategically challenging for teams.

Why it matters

The tire change at Atlanta is part of a larger trend of NASCAR and Goodyear working together to improve the racing product by encouraging more tire degradation. This aims to create more on-track drama through varying pit strategies and drivers having to manage their tires more carefully.

The details

The new right-side tire being used at Atlanta is specifically engineered to have more falloff compared to the tires typically used at the track. Goodyear says the smooth surface at EchoPark Speedway doesn't naturally lead to much tire wear, so they have developed a tire that will encourage more degradation over a run. This new tire construction is also being aligned with the tires used at other 1.5-mile tracks, suggesting a broader shift in Goodyear's tire philosophy.

  • The new right-side tire will be used for the first time this weekend at the Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta on February 18, 2026.

The players

Goodyear

The tire supplier for NASCAR, working collaboratively with the sanctioning body to develop tires that encourage more tire falloff and strategic racing.

Rick Heinrich

Goodyear's NASCAR product manager, who explained the rationale behind the new tire being used at Atlanta.

EchoPark Speedway

The 1.5-mile track in Atlanta hosting this weekend's Cup Series race, known for its unique configuration that has led to successful experiments with tire compounds.

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What they’re saying

“Typically, the tires we use at EchoPark Speedway are only used at this track, and its smooth surface doesn't naturally lead to much tire wear. As such, we develop tires that encourage wear, and we have seen consistently excellent racing here since it became a superspeedway.”

— Rick Heinrich, Goodyear NASCAR Product Manager

What’s next

NASCAR and Goodyear will continue to monitor the performance of the new tire at Atlanta and evaluate whether it should be used at other 1.5-mile tracks in the future.

The takeaway

The tire changes at Atlanta are part of an ongoing collaboration between NASCAR and Goodyear to improve the racing product by encouraging more tire degradation and strategic pit stop decisions. This represents a proactive approach to fine-tuning the sport's technical elements to create more engaging competition for fans.