Ray Evernham said on ESPN last night that Nascar needs to expand the box that they give Goodyear to work in?

Question

As I listened to him I got the feeling that he thinks this tire problem is NASCAR's fault, not Goodyears!

What do you think or know about this?

Also, do the teams get to keep the tires they purchased from Goodyear? Or are the tires leased and must be returned, reguardless of the condition, after the race? In other words what's the return policy?

PEACE!

Answer 1

well in a way it is nascar's fault because the whole reason for the tire wear was the weight of the new car pressing against the asphalt harder.

Answer 2

Nascar calls all all the shots and thus are accountable for what goes on on the track.  So yes, I do think it is Nascars fault.

Answer 3

It's not all Goodyear's fault (but it is some) NASCAR sets the testing up for the drivers and Goodyear. If NASCAR decides not to test Goodyear don't have a choice. As for the second part of your question. From what I understand Owners only have to pay for the tires they use. They're good enough that they don't make too many more than they need.

Answer 4

I think the tires are returned to the manufacturer for further testing.

As far as Ray's statement, maybe he was talking about different compounds, widths to height ratios. Who really knows.

He should have expanded on it then.

Answer 5

I respect Ray's opinion a lot, he was one of the greatest crew chiefs ever.  From what I got out of that, NASCAR is limiting the size of the tires that Goodyear can produce.  NASCAR wants ALL the tires used to be a certain size and width.  That is OK for most tracks but the Brickyard is its own special deal with specific needs.  It seems that Goodyear could build a tire that would withstand the punishment the stock cars deliver, especially to the right rear, if NASCAR would loosen its restrictions.  Ray also talked about how they used to be able to put more weight on the left side (with the downforce cars they used to use) so that when they were turning some of the pressure would shift over to the right side and sort of balance out.  Now NASCAR mandates that the weight be split evenly from right to left, with the COT.  This is fine going down the straightaway but adds a greater burden to the right side when they are in the corners.  Add the greater downforce on the rear tire and the extra roll, because the COT sits higher, and it all spells disaster at Indy.  NASCAR needs to stop dictating things that they do not know as much about and leave the tire development to the "experts".  They also need to do a full field test at Indy with several different sizes and compositions of tires to determine the best for racing and wear.  I have seen a lot of used tires for sale but I am not sure about the policy.  I thought they gave them back to Goodyear after the races but am not sure on that.

edit:  I was one of the first people to jump all over Goodyear for this deal but am now of the opinion that it is more NASCAR's fault than the maker of the tires, at least in this instance.

3 STR8 N 08!!!