Another curious question

[MonzaRacer]

Balance. Available tires for said application. And what "fits" over what just fits.
While you can "just run 17s" because they are the best, its not always true, a taller tire in a 335 will have a bigger footprint over a shorter one. Also if you run 13 in brakes to the ragged edge in testing and such, then you upset it by adding 14in, then needing to clear them becomes a problem.
now look at C6 Corvettes, 18 front/19rear, yet both are same diameter, BUT the last article Isaw in older magazine was when the yellow C6 was tested and the writer loved its balance and grip.
Used to be the best tire for the job was 15, then a 16, now 17s.
Remember technology follows trends and the new trend is 17.
13/14 =stock, 15=performance.
Then 14/15=stock,16=performance.
Now 15/16=stock, 17=performance.
Give tire and car technology a few years and the trend will advance, or we will be in to spherical "wheels" like in I,Robot.
The given tire technology right now, number of available widths and diameters AND compounds are running in the 17 in range but leaking over to 18s and 19s.
The technology was in SBC 1st gen, then SBC 2nd gen, then Gen 3. and now we are up to what Gen 5? and each subsequent generation of engine, tire,ABS,trans gets better.
Remember when Saginaws were top dog manual,,,then came T10 and Muncie, then came Super T10, then Richmonds and T4s, then T5ods, then T56, and Tremec, and ZF.
See a trend. A Model T was the height of mechanical creation and all its addons/mods. ever see one with tractor conversion? Think of it as the first ultimate hot rod!
Well you get picture.
Right now you go get any set of performance tire brochures from a Bridgestone/Firestone dealer, look at number of 16/17 performance tires, 16s are waning, 17s are flush in models and sizes, eh 18s so so as the OEMs step up to better compounds/designs.
Cant wait to see what comes up for fitting behind a 26"? Not me!