Tests Reveal Goodyear Still Not Ready

Less than impressed.

That was pretty much the consensus of drivers following Wednesday's Goodyear tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- the sixth test since a tire debacle at the track during last year's NASCAR race resulted in no green flag runs more than 16 laps.

"The tires still are not ideal,'' said Ryan Newman, who represented the Chevrolet contingent in the four-car test. "I know Goodyear is still working on that. It is just a tough situation, man."

Wednesday's test was a make-up session from last week when rain interrupted a two-day test.

Kasey Kahne (Dodge), Brian Vickers (Toyota) and Matt Kenseth (Ford) joined Newman on Wednesday, but no one managed more than 18 laps on a set of tires -- and that wasn't even consecutive laps. The tires need to have in excess of 30 for a full fuel run. Newman said the tires -- as of now -- are essentially a half-fuel run.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Joie Chitwood said last month that he remains very concerned about the situation and will be paying close attention to these tests so another tire disaster can be averted for this year's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on July 26.

Goodyear has another, larger group of cars scheduled for June 15-16. The track will undoubtedly change after the May 24 Indianapolis 500 and Goodyear may add an additional test just after the IndyCar race.

"We were able to make significant progress laying rubber down on the track surface at Indy during our test with just four cars this week,'' said Greg Stucker, Goodyear's Director of Race Tire Sales.

"Having said that, we still have some work to do and some things we'd like to try to enhance overall performance and come up with the optimum tire set-up for the Brickyard 400.

"What we're assessing right now is the best way to increase the durability while maintaining an appropriate level of grip."

All the drivers who participated this week say they remain confident Goodyear will get this figured out. There is just simply too much on the line.

"The bottom line is, last year was an embarrassment for the Series and the fans and we need to redeem ourselves," Newman said Friday while preparing for Saturday's race at Richmond, Va. "Whatever we have to do that should be considered."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-02-2009 @ 8:31AM

LIZ said...

perhaps Firestone could find a suitable solution?

5-02-2009 @ 10:28AM

Kim said...

Unbelievable! After a whole year after last year's debacle of a race it looks like Goodyear has accomplished nothing! I'll tell you what, if I tune in to watch the Indy race this year and it's like last year's with scheduled pit stops every 15 laps because the tires won't hold up, I am turning it off! That is absurd and there is no excuse! If this continues, NASCAR needs to seriously reconsider racing (or in this case, just touring the track 15 laps at a time) in Indy.

Kim

5-02-2009 @ 2:04PM

illsell4u said...

A better solution would be to cross Indy off the list. I agree, if it not racing all out all the time, why bother?
mbl

5-02-2009 @ 3:49PM

nzcr14 said...

The problem at INDY with tires will still persist as long as TONY STEWART is the only loud mouth to race hell about.All other driver should join TONY and they have not.1 speaker against the third reich nazcar ruler is not going to get anywhere. It just makes him the black sheep of NAZCAR!. I SAID IT LAST YEAR, I SAY IT NOW, I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.1 WARRIOR CANNOT TAKE AN ALL ARMY BY HIMSELF.
THE SHEEPS HAVE TO BECOME LIONS AND TIGERS TOO.
works for mee...A.S

5-02-2009 @ 6:27PM

caddman1 said...

How about Hoozier tires? They run on a lot of tracks and for a while were used by some NASCAR teams before Goodyear got the 'exclusive' deal...

5-03-2009 @ 4:17AM

Fernando said...

I agree If there is no 30-40 lap tire there is no race,cant tell you just how F***ed I felt last year, after going to a new track every year,besides My favs Daytona and Vegas spending all that money to see a parade of rubber sucked.If it cant be fixed move the race somewhere else!

5-03-2009 @ 10:03PM

cc said...

ITS A CRAP TRACK ANYWAY WITH PITS THAT ARE TOO SMALL. BUT IF THEY DON'T REALY RACE, MAYBE JR CAN WIN.

5-09-2009 @ 12:54PM

Steve Hooper said...

Part of racing is tgrying to get as much out of the car and tires as possible. Instead of a mandatory pit every eight laps like last year, just let the teams make the call during green flag runs. If they decide not to pit and the tire fails at ten laps, too bad for the team. They rolled the dice. No different that if they stay out with old tires past a 30 lap window. There is no unfair advantage to any team so just let them run. Goodyear can cover the additional cost of tires if they want to stay in the sport. They lost their ride at the Indy 500 and maybe they should at the Brickyard too.

5-15-2009 @ 12:42PM

Phil Whisenant said...

Why? Why does Nascar continue to use Goodyear tires? They have failed time after time for years now.Drivers hate them and have told so to the media.I would never run a Goodyear tire on the Hwys much less a Race Track.Let a driver choose which tire they want to use or look into another brand of rubber guys.Good year is a terrible tire period.Not any other form of Racing uses them do they!!