Kyle Larson expresses optimism for Goodyear option tire at Richmond

Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway will be the points race debut of the Goodyear “option” tire, and Kyle Larson believes there could be some excitement to come.

Larson, speaking Saturday with Matt Weaver of Sportsnaut, said the addition of the option tire could be advantageous late in stages or at the end of the race for drivers who are on the playoff bubble. Beyond that, Larson doesn’t want fans to “get their hopes up.”

Kyle Larson is optimistic about the option tire race tonight at Richmond, and while he doesn't want fans to have unrealistic expectations, he thinks it can shake up the racing at some point. pic.twitter.com/Z90UobYfLL

— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) August 11, 2024

“I thought it was really good,” Larson said. “Think fans — I don’t want them to get their hopes up because there’s a big difference, I feel like in grip and speed and lap time. But I don’t want fans to get their hopes up because we all save our option sets for the end. And we’re only on the same set of tires, it might just look like a faster paced, normal race. I think where it could get exciting is if there’s a caution with 20 to go in a stage or something and somebody who’s on the [playoff] bubble or looking to gain points, to gain playoff points, they throw on those sets of tires and charges through.

“I think that’s where it’ll get exciting. But say at the end of the race if we’ve all saved our option sets, it’s gone green to Stage 3 and we’ve saved them, I wouldn’t expect it to be super exciting. But we’ll see. Think it will be exciting, but I don’t really know either.”

Kyle Larson looking to extend regular season points lead at Richmond

The softer “option” tire has more short-term grip and the baseline “prime” tire provides more of a lasting ride. The sanctioning body auditioned the tires during the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro in May. NASCAR is now giving it a try at Richmond after the spring race at the track underwhelmed.

The option tires will have red sidewall letting, and prime tires will have the traditional yellow labeling. Teams will be allotted six sets of prime tires, and two sets of option tires. One prime set will carry over from qualifying.

Larson, starting 15th, is looking for his fifth victory of the season. Prior to the two-week Olympic break, he won the Brickyard 400, overtaking Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott for the regular season points lead.

Green flag for the Cook Out 400 will wave at approximately 6 p.m. ET.