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Though I understand the hassle of swapping tires to make a pass at the track, your current shoes won’t hook up and are killing your chances of a Twitter-worthy time slip. Don’t fret — I’ve got you covered. I’m going to run through some of the best street legal tires built for drag racing that’ll make dramatic improvements on the strip, as well as talk you through some of the details you need to keep in mind while you shop around. Let’s get into it.
Summary List
Best Overall: Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S
Best Value: Nitto NT555RII
Honorable Mention: Nitto NT05R
Most Versatile: Toyo PROXES R888R
Most Aggressive: Mickey Thompson ET Street R
Our Methodology
Our list and suggestions focus solely on DOT-approved drag radials. These tires are built for vehicle owners that want the best performance possible on the drag strip in a street-legal package. We based our selection on what keyword searches produced, as well as our own personal experience. The tires you see were selected based on their popularity, and those that our research indicates perform the best in most instances. And though we stand behind our list and buying guide, it’s important to remember that these are performance parts and your experiences will vary based on the application and conditions you use them in.
Best Street Tires for Drag Racing Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S
Best Value
Nitto NT555RII
Honorable Mention
Nitto NT05R
Most Versatile
Toyo Proxes R888R
Most Aggressive
Mickey Thompson ET Street R
Our Verdict
The Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S is a tough tire to beat in this segment. However, the Nitto NT555RII delivers demanded performance without paying a premium. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Remember that any tire is a major contributor to your vehicle’s performance. It’s important to consider all factors of your build and driving conditions to find a tire that is a perfect match for the application.
Things to Consider Before Buying Street Tires for Drag Racing
Key Features
Don’t buy a set of tires solely because someone tells you to. Take the time to research any tire you’re considering to ensure it matches your application and driving style. Otherwise, there’s a very good chance you’ll wind up buying another set of tires shortly after your first drive on them. In the case of drag radials, you’ll want to keep the following features in mind while you shop.
DOT Approval
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) needs to approve of your tires for highway use if you intend to use them for regular transportation. Drag radials are often designed to meet requirements for said use, but it is still something you need to confirm. Make a habit of finding out if a tire is DOT-approved before size, compound, and tread pattern. Doing so will save you a lot of hassle on the backend of the tire selection process. Be aware that some competition tires do receive a DOT approval but only for markings and are not intended nor are they safe for highway use.
Tread and Compound
Better performance on the strip generally comes at the expense of performance on the street. If you’re ok with that, go ahead and buy something with as smooth of a contact patch as possible, like the Mickey Thompson ET Street R. If you’re not OK with that, you need to compromise strip performance just a little. Tread patterns can have a long list of features that will help street and strip performance, and it’s best to read into what each has to offer to find what works best for you. The compound is also a big determining factor in how the tire performs under given circumstances and is another detail to research before you purchase a tire.
Size
The tire tread and compound do a lot of heavy lifting, but selecting the right tire size is equally as important. Width and height are two things you really need to be aware of. A wider tire offers better traction, but you don’t want to go so wide that it won’t fit the wheel or in the wheel well. Tire height factors into the gearing of the driveline as well. Changing it directly affects vehicle speed at any given RPM. Going too tall or too short can have adverse or desirable effects on performance. Take the time to figure out which size works best for your application. If you’re unsure, stick as close to your existing tire size as possible.
Drag Radial Pricing
The price of performance tires, like any tire, is dependent on a few factors. Quality and the name attached to the tire are two of the biggest factors contributing to the overall price. Size is also a big determining characteristic. In any case, you can expect to pay $250 to $400 per tire for drag radials sized for the typical street car. How many you need depends on your driveline. Rear-wheel drive and front-wheel drive applications only need two drag radials, while all-wheel drive vehicles need matching tires all around.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: Yes. However, you should only do so on some sort of performance tire that can handle the conditions. Otherwise, traction will be limited, which can lead to dire consequences.
A: Radials are often the superior choice, but it depends on a few factors. It really all comes down to how the car is set up and the conditions the vehicle is being driven under.
A: No. Slicks are not permitted for use on the street by the DOT. Doing so can be dangerous, as these tires are not built with regular road conditions in mind.
A: Running smaller tires reduces weight and friction, which improves speed. If you intend to do this setup, it’s important to remember that skinnier tires will reduce braking power, and you may need to consider further upgrades to keep the vehicle safe.