September 18, 2002

The Winston cup series travels to Dover Downs International Speedway this week for the MBNA All-American Heroes 400.

One of the biggest stories of the week is the news that Goodyear will bring to the track a softer compound tire to be run by all NASCAR teams in this event. We have been following this story for some time now and were able to track down a few facts in regard to why this switch from the harder compound tire will transpire.

Goodyear has been moving toward harder compounds for their Eagle racing tires in an effort to promote safety. When down force is applied to the cars we see additional pressure applied to the tires. The past few years have seen aero technology that has sent the down force numbers through the roof in the Winston Cup series.

Add to this mix the introduction of a concrete racing surface (monster mile) and we can begin to see the basis of concern for Goodyear this week.

According to most drivers the big difference in concrete and asphalt is that asphalt gives you a better sense of security. A concrete surface doesn’t offer the amount of grip as compared to the asphalt. Rusty Wallace was noted as saying “it feels like an artificial grip. You’re on top of the race track, your running fast but you feel like if you get sideways you’re going to crash”.

Carole Swartz, Goodyear spokesperson was noted as saying “we have documented an increase in tire operating temperatures at Dover”. The Akron Ohio based tire company will step away from the harder compounds this week and run a softer tire that will dissipate heat more rapidly. It is our understanding that Goodyear will bring several different compounds to Dover in an effort to aid the teams in this adjustment of change.

Dover International is a fast one mile venue that sees an upper racing groove eventually work itself in. Most cars will run the bottom of turns 1 and 2, then ending up with a slightly higher line in turns 3 and 4. The softer compound from Goodyear may cause the upper groove to come in earlier with rubber compounds being forced from the tires and, down onto the concrete surface faster as compared to the harder tire of the past.

Rusty Wallace holds the track record at Dover Downs with a blistering effort. The Ford Taurus of Wallace turned a lap of 159.964 mph on Sept 24, 1999. This softer compound offered up by Goodyear at Dover this week may present a window of opportunity for Winston Cup teams in regard to speed and records.

We look for an exciting race this week on a track that is considered to be self cleaning. It is our hope that extensive testing by Goodyear will bring additional grip to a track that is hard to get a handle on.

You can contact Joe at: Insider Racing News