The Final Lap with Kerry Murphey

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCARMEDIA

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.

Goodyear To Continue As Exclusive Tire Supplier Through 2017

NEW YORK, New York (Oct. 3, 2011) – NASCAR and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today jointly announced they have signed an extended agreement for Goodyear to continue as the exclusive tire used in NASCAR’s top three racing series for the next five years.

The agreement, which extends through the 2017 season, renews Goodyear as the “Exclusive Tire Supplier” of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Goodyear has had an uninterrupted commitment to NASCAR since becoming a race tire supplier in the 1950s, making it one of the longest-running supply programs in any sport. In addition, Goodyear has been the exclusive tire supplier for all three of the circuit’s top series since 1997.

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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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