Tread width importance?
 

So I'm down to two tires for my next set, Michelin PSS and Firestone Firehawk Indy500. On the 225/45/17 size, the Michelin tread width is 8.2" and the Firestone is 7.4".
That's almost an inch more of tire contacting the ground for the Michelin. Is that part of the reason why the Super Sports stick so well comparing similar size tires?

I wouldn't put much stock in it. The tire compound is more meaningful than contact patch.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=201

its not more tire contacting the ground, its a wider contact patch but thats still only one of many aspects of what make a tire good for a desired task. just buy the tire that the community is more familiar with.

Tread width is just one factor, As mentioned above. I just installed 225 45 17 Yokohama Advan AD08R's and they're just stupid good. Lots of good tires out there.