Nationwide cars bolt on rain tires, make NASCAR history in Montreal race
By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Sunday, August 03, 2008
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David Griffin / NASCAR Scene
NASCAR Nationwide Series cars make laps around the rain-soaked Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course during Saturday's NAPA Auto Parts 200.
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MONTREAL – For the first time in NASCAR history, rain tires were used during an official event. A thunderstorm rumbled over Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Saturday afternoon, interrupting the Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200.
On lap 9, NASCAR brought the cars down pit road to change from slicks to grooved wet-weather tires. The teams had three minutes, once all the cars were in their pit boxes, to change to rain tires, add a windshield wiper and install defrosters for the windshield. Some drivers changed visors on their helmets.
NASCAR then decided to try to blow some of the pools of water off the track, further delaying the restart.
NASCAR sent the cars back on the track in the same order they entered pit road.
Goodyear constructed rain tires several years ago for use on road courses but has never had the need to use them in competition.
Polesitter Scott Pruett led until the first caution, with Marcos Ambrose second, Max Papis third, Patrick Carpentier fourth and Jacques Villeneuve fifth.
Comments
4 responses to "Nationwide cars bolt on rain tires, make NASCAR history in Montreal race"
robert mcleester said:
Aug 2, 2008 at 5:42 PMa different kind of race thats for sure.will be interesting to see where this goes in the future.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportFlying Squirrel said:
Aug 2, 2008 at 6:59 PMit's about time, at least those ones shouldn't wear down to the cords like those hunks of junk Goodyear took to Indy!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJohn Lockhart said:
Aug 2, 2008 at 10:21 PMI'm with Robert,will they bring that rain tire to Sonoma,or Watkins Glen if it rains there?That would be cool to see how all the Cup racers do.And how about the other tracks? The way most of them bank,the water would probably run off better,except maybe in the pits.
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This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportPierre Bourque said:
Aug 3, 2008 at 10:45 AMNot to spoil a good story, Lee, but the first time rain tires were used in a Nascar money-paying points event was about 6 weeks ago at Mosport, Ontario during a round of the Nascar Canadian Tire series, a race that started under brilliant sunshine and ended in a thunderstorm and torrential downpour. So, yes, Nascar history was made in Canada. But just not yesterday. Now, wait until we have to bolt on SNOW tires for a Nascar event ! :) Pierre Bourque http://www.pierrebourque.com
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