If you are a drag race enthusiast, you need to own the best tires for street racing to ensure your car can pull out the race perfectly.
It would be best if you had exclusive street tires for your ride because the regular ones can not handle the intense drag race situations.
The tires built for street racing offer superior traction & can easily handle harsh acceleration, and are approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation to use on public roads.
However, there is more to buying drag racing tires than finding something that fits your ride.
If you want to enjoy your next race to the fullest and ensure your safety, the right set of tires is a must.
It is common for people to be unable to comprehend the right set of tires for their rides.
So, if you want to upgrade your ride for your next race, we have found the seven best street race tires in 2023.
In this article, we review the top seven drag race tire choices for 2023 with their pros & cons, answer some questions asked often, and easy to follow buying guide.
Let us get started and get you race-ready.
Choose The Best Sticky Tires For Street Racing In 2023
Automobiles are among the biggest passions of people. In the United States, there are about 18 million enthusiast vehicle owners.
And in recent times, with people’s love growing for vehicles, their enthusiasm for drag races has also increased.
As per the statistics published by STATISTA on June 28, 2022, about the Share of Americans who attended NHRA Drag Racing events in 2018, the large number of viewers comprises people between 18 to 29 years.
It indicates how youngsters are getting inspired by the thrill & adventure side of vehicles and are more than eager to experience it.
So, if you are among newbie drag race lovers who want to get off the bleachers and be on that race track, prepare yourself with the right gear.
Here we have top drag racing tires you can purchase in 2023 without thinking twice.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
1  | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S High-Performance High-Speed Tire | ||
Our Pick2  | Nitto NT05R Radial Performance Tire With Specialized Uni-directional Tread Design | ||
3  | Falken Azenis RT615K+ With Excellent Cornering Response & High-Speed Stability |
Key Features To Look For When Buying Street Performance Tires For Your Ride In 2023:
Buying a particular product just because someone close to you suggested it is a big mistake you can make.
Tires are crucial in driving on public roads or a race track.
Thus, you must ensure that whatever tires you install in your ride can handle the pressure and violations you will put them through.
The best way to ensure you get the right thing for your ride is to take your time researching, asking around, visiting showrooms, looking for online reviews, and then making an informed decision.
If you still find it hard, here we have some crucial features that you must look into before finalizing a purchase:
1. DOT Approval
The first thing you need to look for in a product is that it is DOT approved. DOT is an acronym used by the U.S. Department Of Transportation.
DOT’s responsibility is to approve the tires that are safe to use on highways. However, the street racing tires also need to be approved by the department.
So, it is better to begin your search with DOT approval before you look for other features.
A tire approved by DOT is safe & secure to use on race tracks and public roads.
2. Size
A tire can only adequately hold your vehicle if it is of the correct size.
You must ensure the tire is wide and big enough to fit the wheels and handle the vehicle’s weight.
Experts recommend not to go with something too wide or too high as it will not fit the wheels properly or disorient your ride.
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Tires directly affect the movement and speed of your vehicle. So, the right size is the only way you get the optimum performance.
3. Tread Compound
The tread compound is crucial because it connects to the exterior surface or road.
Each tread is generally divided into three compounds: tread cap, tread base, and tread sides.
The suitable compound determines the quality of the tire. Regarding preferring tread compounds, we recommend the tread cap because it contributes significantly to your vehicle’s performance.
4. Season Compatibility
Not every tire is compatible with every season. Deciding which season you want your tires most compatible with would be best.
It would help if you found out how well a tire performs in every weather. Some will do great in one, mediocre in another, and others will work wonders in all seasons.
The only thing is that the tire performing well in all seasons will cost more than tires performing well in two or one season.
So, choose accordingly.
5. Customer Review
Knowing what fellow buyers have to say about a product is a crucial feature you can not avoid.
Learning what other buyers have experienced will determine if a product is right for you.
Too many negative reviews indicate that a tire does not work. Online communities and platforms have made it easy for people to learn about things before they buy them.
6. Price
It would help if you only bought tires that you can afford. Set a budget and try to find something that offers all the necessary features under it.
Going overboard with spending is never a good idea, so avoid it at any cost.
Review 7 Best Tires For Street Racing You Can Buy To Upgrade Your Car In 2023:
Buying aftermarket tires for drag racing is an effortless task for an experienced person. But if you are a newbie, finding something that compliments your ride correctly is hard.
Most people end up with busted rides after their first race. And the sole reason is the wrong tires they purchase.
We want you to avoid making a similar mistake, keep yourself from enjoying racing, and end up with nothing but repair expenses.
Below we have reviewed the seven best street performance tires of 2023 that both a newbie and an experienced one can go for.
Each product offers supreme quality, high durability, and a price tag that will not make you sweat.
Let’s go through each one and help you find the most suited tires for your next drag race.
1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S High-Performance High-Speed Tire
- Brand- MICHELIN
- Seasons- Year Round
- Size- 255/35ZR19/XL (96Y)
- Rim Size- 19 Inches
- Section Width- 255 Millimeters
- Tire Aspect Ratio- 35.0
- Load Index Rating- 96.0
- Speed Rating- Y
- Load Capacity- 1565 Pounds
- Tread Depth- 9.5 32nds
- Complete ring premium touch design is standard on sizes 21″ & up
- Stability & Control even at high speed
- Global sustainability
- Impressive traction on slippery roads
- Treadlife is good
- Exceptional grip, strength, and handling
- Ideal for race track usage
- Works well even under high speed
- It is an ultra-high-performance premium tire
Michelin is one of the most famous names in tire making. The brand is known for its decades-long legacy and its premium quality.
The Pilot Sport 4S is one of the best sticky tires for street racing. It features silica & functional elastomers in the inner parts of its tread.
The tire does not fail in delivering extreme traction for the dry asphalts and short braking distances for the wet ones.
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The asymmetric tread pattern allows this tire to be used throughout all seasons, especially in summer.
You will find the outer part of the tread pattern harder, which makes it the best choice for harsh summer conditions.
The soft inner part provides much-needed stability and handling in high-speed driving.
In addition, the unique V-shaped tread design offers you precise steering response.
Furthermore, the driving comfort is impressive, and the noise level is on the lower side.
This tire is a perfect blend of looks, strength, and stability.
2. Bridgestone Summer Tire With Hydro-Evacuation Surface & Wide Center Rib
- Brand- Bridgestone
- Seasons- Summer
- Size- 225/45R17
- Rim Size- 17 Inches
- Section Width- 225 Millimeters
- Tire Aspect Ratio- 45.0
- Load Index Rating- 94.0
- Speed Rating- W
- Load Capacity- 3256.2 Pounds
- Tread Depth- 8 32nds
- Made from Bridgestone’s racing-inspired technology
- Unique construction & tread compounds
- Offer maximum grip
- The shoulder stiffness gives confident cornering
- Highly recommended for summer times
- Unique tread compounds offer full contact & grip during cornering & braking
- The hydro evacuation surface offers adequate drainage in wet weather conditions
- Wide center rib gives agile steering response
The Potenza RE-71R tire by Bridgestone is an ultra-high-performance summer tire that will ensure you have the best time in your next drag race.
The tire has a unique construction and tread compounds specifically designed to offer maximum grip.
This product is made with Bridgestone’s most powerful racing-inspired technology, ensuring it can handle high speed and high pressure.
The shoulder stiffness of this tire allows you for confident cornering.
In addition, the hydro evacuation surface provides adequate drainage in wet weather conditions. No more fear of aquaplaning.
Lastly, the comprehensive center rib gives an agile steering response. You can expect your tires to respond immediately to your steering handling.
3. Nitto NT05R Radial Performance Tire With Specialized Uni-directional Tread Design
- Brand- Nitto
- Size- 305/35R19
- Rim Size- 19 Inches
- Section Width- 305 Millimeters
- Tire Aspect Ratio- 35.0
- Speed Rating- 0
- Load Capacity- 1477 Pounds
- Tread Depth- 6.3 32nds
- Tire Diameter- 27.44
- Excellent grip
- High-speed stability
- Durable
- The double-V tread enhances wet traction & resists hydroplaning
- Unidirectional tread design delivers wet weather performance
- Ideal for both drag & street race
- It is available in various sizes
- The specialized tread design makes it ideal for driving at high speeds
- A perfect blend of practicality & performance
The Nitto NT05R drag radial tire is a product that can handle both drag racing and street driving efficiently.
It is a DOT-certified product ensuring its premium quality and your safety on the road.
This tire has reinforcements and a construction design that helps it perform exceptionally well, even at high speeds.
Also, it has all the necessary treads and traction for street racing.
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The large center rib in the tire will give your automobile extra contact with the external surface.
Apart from the grip, the center rib also ensures that the pressure of your ride is distributed evenly across the tread region, offering a better grip.
The only drawback this tire holds is that it is not made for cold weather conditions. It is recommended not to use them under 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Using them at such low temperatures can make the tire noisy and lose traction.
4. Falken Azenis RT615K+ With Excellent Cornering Response & High-Speed Stability
- Brand- Falken
- Size- 195/60R14
- Rim Size- 14 Inches
- Section Width- 195 Inches
- Tire Aspect Ratio- 60
- Load Index Rating- 86
- Speed Rating- H
- Load Capacity- 1168 Pounds
- Tread Depth- 7.9 32nds
- Maximum Pressure- 51 Pound per Square Inch
- Impressive dry traction & grip
- Excellent cornering response
- Quite durable
- Low risk of hydroplaning
- Offer strong traction for high-speed grip in all racing conditions
- Responsive handling
- Significantly reduces wheel spin by reducing contact patch void ratio
- It increases handling response & high-speed stability
- Affordable
The Falken Azenis RT615K+ is another street racing tire that will offer you nothing but exceptional performance.
It delivers responsive handling and strong traction for the driving enthusiast.
The tire has a solid center rib and massive shoulder blocks that can handle any challenges or abuse.
It is made from nanotech formulated compound that gives it the grip that street racing tires need to cut corners at high speeds.
Its race-inspired tread design offers strong traction for high-speed grip.
In addition, this tire is made to handle any dry & wet road conditions.
The unique tread blocks & grooves ensure that the accumulated water quickly escapes the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.
However, it is not a great option if you are thinking of this tire for your regular driving purpose.
This tire offers poor road comfort compared to other tires in the category. It has a high noise level and is bound to wear out quickly.
Thus, this tire is not ideal for everyday use, but for rare racing sessions, it is your partner.
5. Goodyear EAGLE F1 SUPERCAR 3 B01 Tire With Best-In-Class Dry Traction
- Brand- Goodyear
- Seasons- NON_WINTER
- Size- 305/30ZR20
- Rim Size- 20 Inches
- Section Width- 305 Millimeters
- Tire Aspect Ratio- 30.0
- Load Index Rating- 99.0
- Speed Rating- Y
- Load Capacity- 1709 Pounds
- Tread Depth- 7 32nds
- It offers best-in-class dry traction
- Excellent wet handling & braking
- The unique placement of the tire’s inner belts offers better responsiveness at high speeds
- The tread is designed for use in summer or hot months
- The Combination grip technology provides extra grip while cornering, accelerating, & cornering
- You get Goodyear’s Highway Auto & Light Truck Tire replacement limited warranty
If you want extreme performance summer tires for your racing car, look no further than the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3.
This tire comes with an AAtrax tread compound offering high-end wet traction, the maximum any tire could get.
Whether you are driving on dry asphalt or wet one, this tire will ensure instant action. Your ride will stop flawlessly without slipping on the road.
Another great thing about this product is its noise-free performance.
In addition, the tread pattern of the tire is a perfect blend of the two designs.
The outer edge pattern features large tread blocks that increase the tire’s contact area with the road. At the same time, the inner tread pattern is smaller to offer a better grip.
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Also, multiple lateral grooves underneath the inner edge of the tread pattern effectively disperse water & minimize the risk of hydroplaning.
Furthermore, a built-in rim protector ensures minimal damage is done to the wheels.
Lastly, the shoulder block design ensures reliable braking in all kinds of situations.
6. Mickey Thompson ET Street Racing Radial Tire With Minimal Tread Void & High-End Traction
- Brand- Mickey Thompson
- Size- P275/40R20
- Rim Size- 20 Inches
- Section Width- 275 Millimeters
- Tire Aspect Ratio- 40.0
- Speed Rating- W
- Tread Depth- 6 Inches
- Rim Width- 9.5 Inches
- Tire Diameter- 28.7 inches
- Sturdy construction
- Highly durable
- Minimal tread void assists in hydroplaning resistance
- Impressive traction
- High-end track performance
- It comes in a good size range
Another DOT-approved tire you can install in your vehicle to enjoy the thrill & chase of racing is Mickey Thompson ET Street R.
The tire has polyester-ply, steel belted, tubeless radial construction, offering it the strength & durability for fabulous ride control.
The Proven R2 compound provides fast & consistent traction at the STRIP with little necessary burnout to do its job.
There is minimal tread void that gives you excellent dry traction and hydroplaning resistance.
In addition, this tire comes in 18 popular sizes. You can buy it from 15 inches to 20 inches wheel diameters.
Lastly, it is not a tire you should buy for extreme road & weather conditions.
7. Nitto NT555RII Radial Tire With Excellent Wet Traction
- Brand- Nitto
- Seasons- NON_WINTER
- Size- 275/40R20XL 106W
- Rim Size- 20 Inches
- Section Width- 275 Millimeters
- Tire Aspect Ratio- 40.0
- Load Index Rating- 106
- Speed Rating- W
- Load Capacity- 2094 Pounds
- Tread Depth- 6.3 32nds
- Good blend of street & strip performance
- It comes in a wide range of sizes
- It offers impressive wet traction
- Excellent build quality
If we have to choose the best value street racing tire for 2023, Nitto’s NT555RII is the winner.
This product is a premium quality one from a trusted brand offering its customers nothing but value for money.
This tire is specially constructed to meet all your driving requirements.
With this product, you will get the best performance during your race.
In addition, this tire comes in a wide range of sizes, making it an excellent option for both classic & latest car owners.
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The tread design ensures you have better handling of your ride.
Furthermore, the universal fit makes it ideal for most automobiles out there.
Lastly, besides its exceeding strict quality requirements, there are better choices than this tire for cold weather scenarios.
FAQs Related To What Are Good Street Racing Tires
What are good street racing tires?
The excellent racing tires for streets are the one that can easily handle high pressure, offer superior traction, and works reasonably well in all kinds of weather conditions.
To help you find the right race partner for your next race, here we have the top seven picks of 2023:
• Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S High-Performance High-Speed Tire
• Bridgestone Summer Tire With Hydro-Evacuation Surface & Wide Center Rib
• Nitto NT05R Radial Performance Tire With Specialized Uni-directional Tread Design
• Falken Azenis RT615K+ With Excellent Cornering Response & High-Speed Stability
• Goodyear EAGLE F1 SUPERCAR 3 B01 Tire With Best-In-Class Dry Traction
• Mickey Thompson ET Street Racing Radial Tire With Minimal Tread Void & High-End Traction
• Nitto NT555RII Radial Tire With Excellent Wet Traction
Do I need to worry about wheels for my next street race?
Absolutely. Wheels are what will attach your tires to your ride and keep them in place.
If you have poor quality & wrong-sized wheels on you, there are high chances you will hurt your ride and be more prone to accidents than your fellow drivers.
So, paying equal attention to the other aspects of your ride’s tires is better.
Is street racing legal in the USA?
Technically speaking, street racing is illegal in the United States. However, other organized race events take place on the streets.
In such events, the required measures are taken, allowing the racing.
Overall, we advise you to stay away from illegal street racing. But if you can not give up your love for speed, go for those organized events.
Can I use regularly use tires for street racing?
No. There may be a few tires out there that work wonders for daily driving & street racing but not all.
Plus, you should never use your daily commute tires for racing.
It is because racing is rough, and the tires need to be sturdy and have better traction, responsive handling, and fast cornering.
Thus, until the manufacturer allows multiple uses of the tires, do not use daily driving tires for racing && vice versa.
Are street racing tires highly durable?
Street tires undergo high abuse while racing and weather out easily. Using an almost dead tire again is not a good idea.
This is why street tires are not meant to last forever. Most tires do not even make it past one or two races.
Also, most manufacturers need to make them durable deliberately.
If you want to know exact numbers, most drag racing tires can run only for 4,000 miles at their best.
Conclusion
By owning the best tires for street racing, you can ensure you perform your best and come out victorious in your next car race.
To ensure you have only premium parts installed in your ride, we bring you the top seven choices of 2023.
And we hope you make the right purchase as per your interests.
