Two of the national NASCAR series return to Iowa Speedway this weekend as the playoff picture becomes clearer. Both series will debut new tires after select drivers took part in test sessions.
According to a release from Goodyear, the Cup Series teams will have a new setup on both sides of the cars. They have not used these tires at any other event this season.
The only drivers who have completed laps with them are Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric, and Chase Briscoe. These three Cup drivers took part in the June tire test at the .875-mile track.
"Iowa presents a unique challenge with the speeds and sustained loads, as well as the two different ages of asphalt on the surface," said Rick Heinrich, Goodyear NASCAR product manager. "The new race recommendation of Goodyear Racing Eagle tires for the Cup Series is ready for that challenge, as shown during the June test."
The Xfinity Series teams will head to Iowa Speedway with the same left-side tires that they used at Dover Motor Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway this season. The right-side tires, however, will be new for this weekend's race.
Dean Thompson and Christian Eckes previously completed laps with this tire setup during the June tire test.
According to NASCAR, the Xfinity Series teams will have 50-minute practice sessions to test these tires. The Cup Series teams will split into two groups for 25-minute practice sessions.
Cup teams will have one set of the tires for the practice session. They will have one set of tires for qualifying, which will then transfer to Sunday's race. Cup Series teams have nine sets of sticker tires for the race. Additionally, Cup teams will have four sets of wet-weather tires if needed.
Xfinity teams will one set of the tires for practice and one set for qualifying. They will have four sets of sticker tires for Saturday's race and three sets of wet-weather tires if needed.