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Last updated on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) - Goodyear officials are confident that the tire problems that cropped up at last July’S Allstate 400 At The Brickyard will not return in 2009.
Three days of private tire testing concludes today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
During Tuesday's lunch break, Goodyear General Manager of Racing Stu Grant addressed the media, saying he was very encouraged by what he has seen at this week's test.
Veteran driver Mark Martin was pleased with the first day and a half of testing, saying he managed to turn 20 laps on a set of tires.
Abnormal tire wear during last summer's event forced NASCAR to throw several competition yellows. The longest period of green-flag racing was only 13 laps.
Grant says Goodyear's tires at last July's race were too hard and that a softer compound appears to be working better during this week's test. The combination of the speedway's abrasive "diamond-ground" surface and NASCAR's redesigned car were blamed for last summer's problems.
It was also the first time in the 15-year history of the Allstate 400 that NASCAR did not hold an open test at the speedway in the weeks leading up to the race. While it is not known if NASCAR will hold an open test next year, Grant said that Goodyear will be back at the Speedway in April to test again.
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