The effects of a Michelin tire tread and its various chemical components (butadiene rubber, aromatic oil, carbon, sulfur, ZnO) on the free radical intensities N of Blind Canyon coal using in-situ electron spin resonance spectroscopy are reported from ambient to 500 degrees C. These experiments show that the tire tread and its components lower the temperature of thermal cracking of the coal and promote enhanced cracking as evidenced by increased magnitudes of N for temperatures below 440 degrees C. These results support the reported improved liquefaction of the coal with waste tire polymers.