Stewart's Harsh Words For Goodyear

[kat2220]

Stewart Blasts Goodyear Tires
Tony Stewart blasted the tire Goodyear brought to Las Vegas Motor Speedway after his qualifying attempt for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 on Friday.

"I thought Daytona was one of the worst tires we have ever ran on, but I will guarantee you this is definitely the worst Goodyear tire I think I have ever been on in my entire nine years of driving [in the] Nextel Cup Series," Stewart said. "It never ceases to amaze me on how they can always trump their ace how bad they can build tires for us."

Goodyear obviously wasn't thrilled with the comment, but Goodyear racing sales and marketing director Greg Stucker said later that he respects the two-time Cup champion's input. Stewart's team was one that never had a problem with the softer Goodyear tires on recently repaved tracks, so it's understandable that he would be frustrated with the harder tire, Stucker said.

Goodyear and NASCAR decided to bring a harder left-side tire than the one used in January for the test on the newly paved 1.5-mile oval, where the banking was changed from 12 to 20 degrees.

"We do have a lot of respect for his abilities and what he can feel in the race car," Stucker said. "Tony is one of those guys, him and his whole crew are pretty easy on stuff.(Scene Daily)

 

[BobbyFord]

I don't think this is over. We still have tomorrow. I didn't hear anything good from any of the drivers interviewed about those junk tires. I'm glad no one got hurt today and I hope the same for tomorrow.

 

[Racer1930]

A couple of things are at work here in my opinion (guess).

1. Tony tells it like it is and isn't afraid of anybody ...even bigtime corporate sponsors of NASCAR. He drives the damn car and he knows what's going on out there. Anybody who watched the Mike Waltrip qualifying try should understand. Sure Mikey didn't have a well handling car - but usually a decent tire at least allows you to keep it under you - these tires aren't safe. I hope and pray nobody gets seriously hurt tomorrow.

2. Tony owns a high profile dirt track. Almost all dirt track racers use Hoosier tires. Hoosier was shut out of NASCAR due to the contracting/advertising agreement that NASCAR made with Goodyear. There is no competition in tires in NASCAR - you get what you get - it's like communism.

 

[TexasRaceLady]

Bobby, I'm with you --- I just hope no one gets hurt tomorrow.

I'll be willing to bet that a LOT of cars are going to get severely bent.

Hopefully, next year will be better after a year of seasoning.

 

[Mopardh9]

This crap about bringing a harder tire because the speed is too great or they will blister and blow is getting old. If they , Good Year, brought the same tire they tested on i think the teams would know what to expect. I'm watching the Busch race yesterday and thinking to myself there are going to a lot of torn up machines come today in the Cup race. I don't understand why Good Year didn't bring a softer tire, get rid of the small tanks, and just have a competition Yellow after 30 laps to check tire wear. Once again Nascar screws up what could have bee a great weekend. The whole point of redoing Vegas was to breed more exciting side by side racing. With the tire and the aero package that is hardly possible .

 

[barelypure]

If they , Good Year, brought the same tire they tested on i think the teams would know what to expect.

And for that reason alone I think the tires should be the same for all tracks. Why do they have to change tire compounds for each race? Use 1 tire and that should reduce prices for the teams - isn't that a stated goal? Use 1 tire and the teams would be able to get a better handle on how the tire will perform from track to track. If they know that tires characteristics from previous races they would be able to make adjustments to get the most out of the tire. And I realize some tracks would eat tires and some tracks would be fine. But it would be the same for everyone not just those who have the resources to figure out each week what a tire will do.