[BringBackWilkesboro]

It seems everyone here has done a good job staying out of the tire problems going on this weekend, and I hate to ruin that, but there are a couple things on my mind.

If you haven't heard yet you are sure to by race time, but what's happening is this weekends tires are literally grinding down to the cords in a matter of 5 or 6 laps. Aside from the obvious issues this creates with the handling and competition, it's also sending tire dust flying around and possibly getting on the grilles and causing overheating. This certainly seems like the worst problem we've ever seen with Goodyear's tires, and there have been far too many.

Now, I hate to side with the un-popular comments Tony Stewart made a while ago (at vegas?), but up until a few years ago everything was fine with the tires. There were races where we saw a few more blowouts than usual, but no one complained. Now Goodyear is constantly messing around with different compounds and whatever else, and these kinds of problems are coming up every few weeks. I don't what it was that made Goodyear need to do this, but their little experiments have not worked, and to paraphrase Tony's remarks from a while ago, Goodyear is bringing a bad product to the race track far too often.

Remember though, I am no expert on this issue and have no knowledge of compounds and whatnot. I could be completely off base, but just based on what I'm seeing, I'm one of a growing number of people who is not exactly happy with Goodyear.

[BiscuitMan]

I don't think it is the Goodyear tire at Indy that is the problem. The track surface was "diamond cut' a few years back. This creates a problem for any car running on the surface. With the heavier NASCAR cars, the condition is exagerated. Reports from crew chiefs and NASCAR state that rubber from the tires has to fill in the grid on the surface of the track for the track to become "tire wearable".

When you see the pictures of "cords" showing from tire wear, that probably from too much camber in the tire. Yesterday, TV coverage was pointing out that Dale Jr.'s car had to have the rear end adjusted to take camber out of the right rear tire. Camber allows the tire to right itself (creating a larger patch) in the corners giving more traction. But, on the straightaways the tire rides on the outer edge of the tire. This creates wear that eventually shows the cords.

[Nevadastars]

Looks like it could be a pretty spooky race for these guys today. They were showing cord in only 10 laps of practice!
Sorry for the huge link.......
RacingOne - Nascar Racing: Auto Racing, Nascar News, Racing News, Nascar Online, Nascar 2008, Nascar Drivers, Nascar, Racing, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson

edit: Mods, feel free to delete this post, it appears that BBW and I posted the same topic at roughly the same time.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

I don't think it is the Goodyear tire at Indy that is the problem. The track surface was "diamond cut' a few years back. This creates a problem for any car running on the surface. With the heavier NASCAR cars, the condition is exagerated. Reports from crew chiefs and NASCAR state that rubber from the tires has to fill in the grid on the surface of the track for the track to become "tire wearable".

When you see the pictures of "cords" showing from tire wear, that probably from too much camber in the tire. Yesterday, TV coverage was pointing out that Dale Jr.'s car had to have the rear end adjusted to take camber out of the right rear tire. Camber allows the tire to right itself (creating a larger patch) in the corners giving more traction. But, on the straightaways the tire rides on the outer edge of the tire. This creates wear that eventually shows the cords.

All sounds plausible, but there are a number of tracks that have been levigated, and we never saw issues even close to this. The feeling in the garage seems to be the same as what you said, once the diamond grinding fills in, it will get better. The problem is, the rubber is coming off as powder, so it's not taking to the track well enough.

NASCAR has also brought in additional tires that were run at Pocono. If the tire itself were not an issue, there would be no point to bringing in a different "backup" tire.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

I don't think it is the Goodyear tire at Indy that is the problem. The track surface was "diamond cut' a few years back. This creates a problem for any car running on the surface. With the heavier NASCAR cars, the condition is exagerated. Reports from crew chiefs and NASCAR state that rubber from the tires has to fill in the grid on the surface of the track for the track to become "tire wearable".

I have to disagree with the aspect that if this were true, the problem would have been every year since the track was "diamond cut". It hasn't until this year.

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

All sounds plausible, but there are a number of tracks that have been levigated, and we never saw issues even close to this. The feeling in the garage seems to be the same as what you said, once the diamond grinding fills in, it will get better. The problem is, the rubber is coming off as powder, so it's not taking to the track well enough.

NASCAR has also brought in additional tires that were run at Pocono. If the tire itself were not an issue, there would be no point to bringing in a different "backup" tire.

NA$CAR brought the tires that were to be issued next week at Pocono. The teams will be allowed to prep them at noon(already passed time I know). They are also gonna have one of those damned competition cautions, and possibly more planned cautions. I fear the race may not be ruined... but I hope not.

NASCAR.COM - Tires stamped for Pocono sent to Indy, on☻stand-by - Jul 27, 2008

[Bob Tanner]

To quote SNL's Anna Rosanna Danna, "Well, if it isn't one thing, it's another..."

I hope this doesn't turn into another Charlotte (I think) 2005 where 70% of the cars had tire problems.

[wardfan]

maybe I'm just being to simplistic but for crying out loud Goodyear has been making tires for 100 years. Why does it seem so many races every year turns into a tire mystery?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I have to disagree with the aspect that if this were true, the problem would have been every year since the track was "diamond cut". It hasn't until this year.

I believe they had the same issue last year but possibly to a somewhat lesser degree. It was fine once the race got started. Hopefully today will be the same.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by wardfan

maybe I'm just being to simplistic but for crying out loud Goodyear has been making tires for 100 years. Why does it seem so many races every year turns into a tire mystery?

Cause they seem to dicker around with the compound and screw things up.

[bob101]

50% of the field is going to have to pull out today and turn in their tires so the other 50% can have enough tires to finish at an average of 15 laps (at most) for a set of tires.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by bob101

50% of the field is going to have to pull out today and turn in their tires so the other 50% can have enough tires to finish at an average of 15 laps (at most) for a set of tires.

Should be enough wrecks to accommodate that problem !!

[stroker crank]

They call that racing? An embarrassment is more like it. That might be the worse race I've ever seen. NASCAR owes the fans an apology.

[Mindwarp]

Originally Posted by stroker crank

They call that racing? An embarrassment is more like it. That might be the worse race I've ever seen. NASCAR owes the fans an apology.

Both NASCAR and Goodyear owe the fans an apology. Worst race ever.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by Mindwarp

Both NASCAR and Goodyear owe the fans an apology.

That'll never happen.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

That'll never happen.

Your correct... it would be an admission of screwin up, and that they never would want to admit... publicly