The Final Lap with Kerry Murphey

The Kobalt Tools 500 will showcase the second to last race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on the newly repaved and reconfigured one-mile oval at Phoenix International Raceway. To prepare the new surface, PIR has implemented a month-long program to groom the track. One of the techniques that is being utilized is an advanced tire dragging machine that will focus on enhancing the upper groove of the race track by applying rubber into the surface. Track officials are pleased with the early results and are confident that the grooming will produce excellent results in advance of the race teams arrival for the Kobalt Tools 500.

Race fans eager to see the stars of NASCAR take on Phoenix International Raceway’s newly repaved and reconfigured 1-mile oval will have their first opportunity to do so during a Sprint Cup Series testing session at PIR on Tuesday, October 4. Gates will open at 8 a.m. for this very special fan event and the public testing session will run until 5 p.m. A subsequent day of NASCAR testing on October 5 will be open to media, but closed to the general public.

Phoenix International Raceway’s free fan event during the October 4 test will offer general admission seating in the Bryan Grandstand and infield viewing for patrons to take in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage activities. In addition, Sprint Cup Series star Kyle Busch – driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota – will participate in a moderated fan Q&A session during the October 4 event. Fans may submit their questions for Busch at Facebook.com/PhoenixRaceway.

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Goodyear wrapped up tire testing at Phoenix International Raceway on Monday and Tuesday. Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch were all on hand testing the rubber on the new racing surface. Kurt said like a roller coaster, you drive up the banking off of Turn 2 and then you drop down. It’s a nice, light feeling when you get up top – a really interesting back straightaway. I’m also glad they kept many of the old, signature characteristics of Phoenix.”
Teams will head to phoenix for an official NASCAR Test on October 4th

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCARMEDIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 30, 2011

GOODYEAR CONCLUDES TWO-DAY TIRE TEST ON NEW SURFACE AT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson & Tony Stewart drive new track

(PHOENIX, Ariz.) – Five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers – Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch – completed a two-day Goodyear tire test at Phoenix International Raceway on August 29-30. The tests ran from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day and provided NASCAR’s official tire manufacturer with data and feedback on PIR’s new racing surface following the August 12 completion of the track’s first major paving project since 1990. The research gathered from the tests will assist Goodyear in selecting a tire for the Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at PIR on November 13.

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Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Kurt and Kyle Busch
will be first to run on PIR’s new surface as part of Goodyear tire test on August 29-30

(PHOENIX, Ariz.) – Goodyear, the exclusive tire for NASCAR, will test Phoenix International Raceway’s new surface August 29-30, with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch participating. The testing sessions will be closed to the general public. All testing activities are subject to weather.