Written by:
Jim Chiappelli
A different set of tire tracks will change the landscape for national 410 sprint car racing in 2010. The sun is slowly setting on the Hoosier era with recent announcements that the World of Outlaws, All Star Circuit of Champions and Knoxville Raceway all reached multi-year deals with Goodyear to be their official tire supplier. Other tracks and sanctioning bodies may follow suit.
The switch to Goodyear tires for 2010 hasn't gone down without a lot of complaints and criticisms. (Boyd Adams)
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Reaction from leading drivers portrays the move as a business decision which provides both opportunities and obstacles while denying the sport competition.
“It’s a big deal,” admits 2001 World of Outlaws champion and longtime Hoosier-user Danny Lasoski. “But I understand why they did it” he added. “Just like the world turns, money dictates, and that’s what happened.”
“It’s not personal, it’s just business,” offers Joey Saldana about the bidding process. “It just so happens right now Goodyear is able to put more money into the series and to dirt track racing. Goodyear builds a great tire and if everyone’s on the same tire it doesn’t matter. It’s just an emblem on the side of the tire and it’s going to be Goodyear, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Not everyone shares Saldana’s sentiments about the policy, which will require competitors to race with Goodyears on both rear wheels.
“They’re trying to make a spec division out of it and that’s something I’ve never been fond of,” states Hall of Fame driver Steve Kinser. “To me, (having multiple rear tire choices) was part of the competition, but those days are over.”
Reigning three-time Outlaws champion Donny Schatz agrees. “You would go to Devil’s Bowl and the Hoosiers stomped all over them and you would go to Williams Grove and the Goodyears stomped all over them and you knew what you had, and the guys who were loyal to their manufacturers were guys who paid the price at certain tracks. I kind of wish we would go back to that old school racing, but hey, I’m just a little pea on the pod. I have to keep my mouth shut and hopefully it works out for us.”
World of Outlaws officials are working with teams and tracks to identify the compounds and construction that best suit the series. Their goal is to reduce traction and increase maneuverability in hopes that leads to closer racing.
Jason Meyers is one of the drivers testing the new rubber. The 34-time Outlaws winner sees the change as an opportunity that will bring more excitement to the series. “We all run the same tires, so it’s going to be a little bit of a learning curve and it will be that way for everybody and I kind sit back and look at it as an advantage to try figure it out before everybody else does.”
Tire testing is a sore subject to Schatz. “We were asked to go tire testing and we didn’t go and I feel like maybe we’re not on the ‘good guy’ list,” he confessed. “I don’t think it’s fair that you take only three or four guys to test. If you’re going to do it, open it up to everyone who wants to go.”
Other tire-rule critics point-out local teams not adapting to the policy will pay the price when trying to compete on some of the national touring series.
“It actually hurts the racer,” said Kinser. “The bidding war starts for who’s going to get in and all that money seems to go to the sanctioning body or the promoters and all it does it drive the expense up for the race teams themselves so that makes it a bad situation. Back in the old days when you got three tire companies in there fighting to see who had the best tire you had a chance to get a little help with tires.”
Goodyear notes it is making a significant investment in the sport through marketing opportunities and a $55,000 mid-season points fund for the Outlaws. The company’s effort also includes a certificate program enabling drivers to earn free tires.
Hoosier will make its last appearance as the official tire supplier to the World of Outlaws at the World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway November 5-7. SPEED will provide live coverage of the finale on Saturday, November 7 at 8:00pm eastern.
