Tire issues loom over Atlanta race
By Bob Pockrass
Saturday, March 18, 2006
HAMPTON, Ga. - The Golden Corral 500 has a chance to be like other Nextel Cup races in Atlanta, where tires aren't a problem the day following a Busch Series event where tires weren't totally dependable.
But the race Sunday afternoon also could turn into a debacle as it did in Charlotte last October.
Ryan Newman and Kyle Busch suffered tire blowouts in the Busch Series race Saturday at Atlanta, sparking memories of the tire-plagued races in Charlotte last year.
"The Cup cars will be worse," said veteran Matt Kenseth. "They've got a lot more power and a lot less spoiler. That will wear the tires off quicker."
NASCAR Vice President Robin Pemberton said the spring Atlanta weekends traditionally have tire issues early in the weekend but they fade as more rubber gets on the track. But there are two differences this year: Teams were not allowed to test at the track in the months leading up to the race and the chance of rain Sunday could rid the track of any old rubber.
"You're always concerned when you come to a green race track," Pemberton said Saturday after the Busch race. "What we saw today, it's close to being typical here. But we'll see. There's a completely different aero package from the Busch Series and the Cup Series, we don't have information right now to look at it."
Goodyear Director for Race Tire Sales and Marketing Greg Stucker said he did not hear of any major problems during Nextel Cup practice Saturday. Pemberton said teams didn't hit 50 laps on a practice run, so it's hard to predict if there will be issues in the event today.
Stucker said the tire this weekend is a new tire for Atlanta, the result of a tire test in January conducted by Newman's Penske Racing South teammate Kurt Busch.
"Atlanta is a very high-wear race track," Stucker said. "We came down with formulations specifically to address that. We felt coming in that we have improved that. Based on what we saw in Cup practice this morning, we think we did. We've got to understand what is happening with the Busch cars."
Greg Biffle, who had problems on his first run in the Busch Series race with his tires wearing down to the cords, said the tire is not the issue.
"We're going faster and faster, we're driving the cars looser and looser," Biffle said. "It's just a product of Goodyear is building the best tire they can for the conditions. This old race track is just worn out and abrasive and eats up tires just like a Darlington does. I think it is the right tire for here."
Pemberton said Saturday night that there had been no decision on whether to throw an early competition caution in the race.
