Tire Wear Meaning in NASCAR

Tire wear describes the gradual loss of rubber during a long race. Friction against the asphalt surface grinds down the tread over many laps. As the rubber thins, the car loses the ability to grip. Drivers feel the car sliding more as the tires become older. One car might slide toward the wall after forty laps of racing. This physical change forces teams to change all four tires during stops. Managing this wear requires a smooth driving style to preserve the rubber. Excessive heat speeds up this process and causes the tires to fail. Monitoring wear patterns helps teams predict when the next pit stop happens.