[BiscuitMan]

It looks as though Tony Stewart may actually be invited to future Goodyear tire tests. Since his vocal pungent remarks about Goodyear bringing bad tires to Atlanta, NASCAR's Mike Helton has confirmed that Tony Stewart had the right to speak out about tire problems. Now, Goodyear has actually met with Tony Stewart and discussed the tire problem.


Here's the comments from NASCAR.com on the situation:

Friday the cold war between Stewart and the tire manufacturer showed the first signs of thawing, when a rain delay at Bristol allowed time for a meeting between the driver and Goodyear general manager Stu Grant. Goodyear officials had previously said they had tried to contact Stewart, who hadn't returned their calls.

"It was an excellent meeting," Grant said in a statement. "It was constructive. It was extremely worthwhile to sit down and have a discussion with him. Tony was able to express his concerns and I listened to his concerns. I was able to explain our process, and we both talked about how, moving forward, we can improve the process of developing tires for NASCAR Sprint Cup racing together."

Added Stewart: "We're hoping that Goodyear will now work with us a little better on the racing side of things and rely on our input a little more, because we are the ones driving the cars. It was a good meeting, but at the end of the day, it's up to Goodyear to make it right. If having this meeting helps to make things better down the road, then this meeting was a success."

See the entire article at: NASCAR.COM - Words between Stewart, Goodyear expose a gap - Mar 14, 2008

[kcoruol]

When NASCAR starts losing spectators in droves because we don't like watching the drivers barely able to get their cars around the track without the car sliding out from underneath them, then they might figure out who's more important, Goodyear or the people who make NASCAR what it is, the driver's and fans.

IMHO

[Bob Tanner]

If you look back at history, major NA__AR stories, such as the "Tony vs. Goodyear" saga, have a half-life of about 5-7 days. After that the media gets tired writing about it because there is seldom anything new. The fans also tire of debating it because it transitions from interesting to down-right boring and everyone has stated their personal position.

Then the new event is run and there is a new brouhaha to debate and all is basically forgotten until it comes up again at some point in the future.

[LSC9901]

Well it looks like Tony is really becoming the voice of NASCAR drivers now. It doesn't necessarily mean that I like him but this is twice he has created an uproar and positive change will occur. The new Dale Earnhardt Sr. ?????

[Phils20]

I don't think he'll stick around that long. He's been a champ, and he has other interests.

While I do like the fact he doesn't fear "the establishment", I just think he is growing tired of the BS, as apposed to being a champion of causes.

I make no secret of the fact I'm a fan of his, but that is just how I see it. He is just growing tired of the BS.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Well it looks like Tony is really becoming the voice of NASCAR drivers now. It doesn't necessarily mean that I like him but this is twice he has created an uproar and positive change will occur. The new Dale Earnhardt Sr. ?????

It's a stretch, but we can only hope.

The problem is that, in this current culture we live in, making confrontive and pointed statements, such as he did in the "Goodyear Saga," doesn't sit well with a lot of people. They think 'Kinder and gentler," more diplomatic statements serve a better (and more comfortable?) purpose.

Methinks they could well dwell on the question, "How many wars have ended in lasting peace by diplomatic methods and how many have ended in lasting peace by one side kicking the crap out of the other?"

Therein lies a tale.

But, I could be very, very wrong...?

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by bob101

All of you are under the impression that NASCAR is unhappy with the Goodyear tire and that's what matters. I haven't seen anything to indicate the leadership of NASCAR is disatisfied.

What doesn't make sense to me is "leadership" and "NASCAR" in the same sentence. NASCAR needs to listen for a change. It's not just a matter of fan enjoyment, but driver safety. Major boo boo by Goodyear to uninvite Tony. Maybe if they use him instead of abuse him they might learn something.

[titans#1]

wow just my opinion you guys but i guess i jumped out on the subject too.it's just that i find it odd that out of all the drivers who could have complained about it is the runner up.i like tony but when they interviewed him after the race and just complained instaed of just taking it to nascar in person makes me think is he really man enough.because just like with the whole debrise cautions he complained to the public and when nascar he siad he was sorry and didnt say anything about it and this time with the tire issue he acted tough to the media about it and than nascar steps in and he apolagizes.if your going to complain he should complain to nascar or to goodyear not to us what are we going to do about it?

[titans#1]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Whether he tests the tires or not, they will still be the same tires.

Last time I checked, they all run the same ones!

but he would know how the tires were earlier and could have said something than instaed of waiting after they ran them.goodyear doesnt race the tires they build them and see what the drivers think and if the drivers dont say anything let alone test the tires how will they know?

[titans#1]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Sure you can. Apparently if you have access to a mike, it's easy. Stewart just proved that it is.




Maybe he gave them a good example of how a man handles a problem; do something meaningful to alleviate the situation?



OK, we get the picture. You wouldn't be caught dead wearing a #20 tee-shirt, right? Nothing wrong with that; neither would I. But then I wouldn't be caught dead wearing any NA__AR wearing apparel so I guess it proves nada.

I guess that it's just a matter of perception. What you see as whining, I see as addressing rather vocally and forcefully, a problem. It'll be interesting to see if Goodyear addresses the problem and changes the tires for both Cup and Cup Lite.

first of all of course he can go on national t.v. and complain but it isnt the right thing to do.

and second of all a man doesnt stand behind a mike he takes it up with nascar and face to face and gets it solved not hide behind the mike than say im sorry when nascar steps in.

[PettyBlue]

Originally Posted by titans#1

if your going to complain he should complain to nascar or to goodyear not to us what are we going to do about it?

Stop buying tickets and watch it on TV until the sport dies,after all, that is where the big money comes from that started all the crap.

[titans#1]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Here's the deal though.... The tire tests Tony took part in had no bearin on the tire they raced at Atlanta. It was reported that te tire was totally different from what they tested.

i didnt know this maybe i should read about this a bit first before i go blabbing my mouth.if the tires are diffrent than what they had in testing than he had the right to be angry.

[titans#1]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

Stop buying tickets and watch it on TV,after all that is where the big money comes from.

i understand now why he did it.but i'll never miss a race if im able to watch it.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by titans#1

because just like with the whole debrise cautions he complained to the public and when nascar he siad he was sorry and didnt say anything about it and this time with the tire issue he acted tough to the media about it and than nascar steps in and he apolagizes.if your going to complain he should complain to nascar or to goodyear not to us what are we going to do about it?

And if you've noticed there are not nearly as many debris cautions as there were.
As far as the tires. On one of the Nascar shows, they said some of the drivers had talked to nascar officails about the tires and nothing had changed. So, what's the best way then to get their attention? TV. And as with the debris cautions, it seems to have worked, I think they have their attention now.

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by titans#1

wow just my opinion you guys but i guess i jumped out on the subject too.it's just that i find it odd that out of all the drivers who could have complained about it is the runner up.i like tony but when they interviewed him after the race and just complained instaed of just taking it to nascar in person makes me think is he really man enough.because just like with the whole debrise cautions he complained to the public and when nascar he siad he was sorry and didnt say anything about it and this time with the tire issue he acted tough to the media about it and than nascar steps in and he apolagizes.if your going to complain he should complain to nascar or to goodyear not to us what are we going to do about it?

That's the Tony Stewart personality coming out. Jeff Gordon use to whine about things affecting his ability to drive a race car. Tony spouts out immediately with just about every thought in his head. He's so well versed in any race series (go karts, midgets, sprints, Silver Crown, Indy cars, and NASCAR) and has won championships in every series he has raced in. He feels he has the right to speak out about race situations. I, for one, think it is good for the sport. Tony may have lost a few fans in this fiasco, but when he does a few more of those "passes in the grass" he'll win some fans back.