The Final Lap – NASCAR News, Radio, Podcast

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCAR MEDIA (USED WITH PERMISSION)

BROOKLYN, Mich. (April 4, 2012) – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Brad Keselowski, Juan Pablo Montoya and Kyle Busch concluded Goodyear Tire testing at Michigan International Speedway on Wednesday. The session was the second day for the test.

Speeds were very quick. Montoya said minimum speed was 189 mph, but cars were going above 215 in the straightaways.

The test is a result of the track’s repave, finished last November. This was the fourth repave – 1977, 1986 and 1995.

PHOTO CREDIT: Todd Davis, LAT USA

By Goodyear Release

Michigan, Pocono, Dover, New Hampshire on the docket; 20 teams to participate

AKRON, Ohio — Amid the spring racing season, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has set an aggressive schedule of tire tests at NASCAR tracks. Beginning next week at Michigan International Speedway, Goodyear will hold four tests in a six-week stretch.

Two of the tracks at which Goodyear will test — Michigan and Pocono Raceway — will have new surfaces for 2012, thus the immediate need for tests. The other two tracks — Dover International Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway — have been designated as tracks where Goodyear continues to incorporate feedback and stay attuned with advancements NASCAR teams continue to make.

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PHOTO CREDIT: NASCARMEDIA (USED WITH PERMISSION)

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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