NASCAR: Goodyear Tire, Darlintong Fast Facts
31 August 2000
GOODYEAR TIRE FAST FACTS FOR THE WINSTON CUP SERIES - Pepsi Southern 500 BUSCH SERIES - Dura Lube 200 Darlington Raceway - 1.366-mile oval Darlington, S.C. September 1-3, 2000 NUMBER OF TIRES SUPPLIED: LEFT RIGHT Winston Cup Series 1370 1370 Busch Series 625 625 RECOMMENDED MINIMUM RACE COLD PRESSURE: Left Front - 23 psi Right Front - 36 psi Left Rear -- 23 psi Right Rear - 34 psi TIRES: Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials Circumference: Left side: 86.2-inches Right side: 87.4-inches D-Codes: Left side: 6328 Right side: 6334 Pit Stops: 60-64 laps estimated on fuel consumption GOODYEAR NOTES AND QUOTES: Tony Freund, lead engineer, stock car development: "This is the introduction of two new tires (leftside and rightside) into the NASCAR radial tire line-up. The leftside tire will also be used at the Fall Rockingham race but the rightside will only be used at Darlington. We tire tested at Rockingham following the Spring WC and BGN events with Ricky Rudd. We concentrated on developing tread compounds for use on the highly abrasive track surfaces (mainly Rockingham and Darlington). The rightside tread compounds we use at these two tracks are different but similar (like close cousins, the tracks require different compounds but each needs to stand up to a highly abrasive surface). We have developed an excellent correlation between the two race tracks (Las Vegas is quickly falling into the same group as these two). We can test at either one and apply what we learn to the other. For instance, in 1999 we tested at Darlington and applied the results to both tracks. In 2000, we tested Rockingham and are also applying the results to both tracks. "We will still see some tire wear and lap time give-up at the event but it will be dramatically reduced. Like Dale Jarrett in the 1999 Southern 500, we will see teams elect NOT to pit at every caution flag to gain valuable track position. We believe the Goodyear Eagles are on their way to taming the 'Track Too Tough to Tame. '"