28.0/4.5-18 Drag Front Tire

The 28.0/4.5-18 Drag Front Tire from Hoosier is purpose-built for dedicated drag racing competitors and street/strip enthusiasts who demand maximum launch grip and consistent acceleration traction. This specialized front tire exists because conventional passenger or performance tires cannot handle the extreme forces generated during hard launches—both on the dragstrip and in bracket racing environments. If you're running a dedicated drag vehicle, street-legal drag radial program, or competitive bracket car, this tire delivers the sidewall stiffness and compound grip required to translate engine power directly to the pavement without wheel spin.

The 28.0-inch overall diameter and 4.5-inch width profile are engineered for front-end weight transfer and directional stability during violent acceleration. Its bias-ply construction—rather than radial—provides the rigid sidewall architecture necessary to resist deformation under extreme loading, maintaining consistent contact patch geometry shot after shot. The front tire compound is specifically formulated for drag launch conditions, offering higher grip levels at lower rolling speeds than street compounds, while the white letter sidewall provides classic drag racing aesthetics and easy tire identification in the pits. At 11.6 lbs, this tire's weight keeps unsprung mass minimal, benefiting acceleration response and suspension tuning on purpose-built drag platforms.

Serious drag racers—from NHRA bracket competitors to street-strip builders—rely on Hoosier drag tires for repeatable, predictable performance. This front tire pairs ideally with drag-specific rear slicks (typically 28-29 inches) to maximize the weight transfer geometry that separates consistent runs from unpredictable launches. Installation requires a compatible wheel in 18-inch diameter; verify your current setup supports both the tire's load rating and sidewall stiffness before fitment. Whether you're chasing ET records or building a weekend warrior, the 28.0/4.5-18 delivers the launch control and consistency that separate winning programs from guessing games.