LUCAMA, N.C. — The American Racer spec tire is perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the CARS Tour Super Late Model opener at Southern National Motorsports Park on Saturday night.

This is the first time the tire has been used in Late Model competition as it was previously the tire for the Pro Cup Series which preceded the CARS Late Model Tour. Most drivers are accustomed to running either the Hoosier F45 or Hoosier F50 and the American Racer has a tremendously different personality.

Bubba Pollard is the defending Southern Super Series champion and Saturday was the first time he has ever turned a lap on the AR spec tire. At least through qualifying, the defending Kern County Winter Showdown winner seemed pleased with the results.

“It’s a good tire,” Pollard told Race22.com before the start of the Super Late Model feature. “It takes a little bit of time for it to come in but it doesn’t just fall off. I think we’re going to see really good racing and a lot of side by side tonight.”

On the other hand, Robby Lyons wasn’t as pleased.

Making his first Super Late Model start after a standout Legends career and a handful of Late Model Stock attempts, Lyons just didn’t like the feel of his No. 2L Super Late Model under the American Racer.

“I just didn’t like it,” Lyons said. “It’s not what I thought it would be.”

Unlike standard tires that start off with a lot of grip and gradually give up over the course of a run, the American Racer doesn’t seem to post its fastest laps until it has underwent multiple heat cycles. It practice for both the Super Late Models and Late Model Stock Cars, the fastest laps were not often turned until after the 20th lap.

The problem for Lyons was that the tire didn’t give a good indication for when it had completely fallen off, something he conceded may have a lot to do with his inexperience in a full-bodied car.

“The arc and line you take in the corners is so much different with these cars,” Lyons said. “You can really abuse your stuff here. In a Legend car, you just (sling it) in the corner but you kind of have to flaot it with these.”

The Jeff Burton Autosport team is perhaps the most meticulous in the entire Super Late Model garage when it comes to monitoring tires. Crew chief Freddie Query is notorious for cutting and inspecting tires, making the No. 12 team experts of sorts.

Driver Harrison Burton says he likes the tire and dad Jeff Burton gave it high marks but predicted that qualifying may have unexpected results due to the unusual nature of the American Racer grip cycle.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of fast cars start in the back,” the elder Burton said. “I don’t think a lot of the guy you’re used to seeing up front have figured out this tire and know how to qualify on it yet.

“On the other hand, that’s going to make for a good race too.”

Indeed, several expected contenders will start near the back, including New Smyrna Speedweeks champion Zane Smith (P16), Harrison Burton (P17), Steve Wallace (P18) and five-time Pro Cup Series champion Clay Rodgers (P24).