[Kegracing]

I spent years in the tire industry, in plants building tires for Goodyear. Rubber compounds work the same for street tires as race tires, just much different compounds to start with.

First, yes the tires age and die, even without being ran. Every time you heat them and cool them(make a pass), they cycle and age. Longer they sit, the more oils that come out of the compound naturally. Stored in a cool dry garage, with no sunlight, they will age much longer than in a hot trailer, or worst, in sunlight.

Example, the roundy round group will scuff the tires, then put them back on later, if they find the "stickers" are not the perfect answer. As this hardens them a little, they change the wear cycle.

Second, the compounds to "refresh" a tire can work, but they are a short term fix. Might help get you thru a race weekend, but after they are used on the compound and then cool and dry out, they are worse than they were before a race.

good luck, and as others have said, nothing beats new rubber!