The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising from about 50 to about 100 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of a vinylpyridine-styrene-butadiene (VPSBR) elastomer comprising units derived from monomers comprising styrene, 1,3-butadiene, and vinylpyridine monomers which have the structural formula: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a straight chain or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein the VPSBR comprises from about 0.1 to about 8 percent by weight of vinylpyridine monomer; from 0 to about 50 phr of at least one additional diene-based elastomer; from about 5 to about 15 phr of an at least partially exfoliated clay; and from about 1 to about 40 phr of a polyoctenamer.