Question on Rear End Width for Street/Track Car

[astroracer]

For handling and bearing life you want to keep the wheel offset to the positive side. A small offset, I.E. deeper rim, will side load the bearings more then a deep offset. As an example; I went with 18x12 rims for the rear of my van project and ordered them with a 7" back space. This puts the wheel mounting face 1" outboard of the wheel/tire centerline which greatly reduces bearing load.
Deep rims look cool from the outside but, if track days and handling are more of your goal, go with a deeper offset and put up with the "my rims are deeper then yours" taunts...
Mark