Published: October 07, 2008 11:33 pm            

Testing under way to fix IMS' NASCAR tire fiasco

INDIANAPOLIS — Weather permitting, more tire testing is slated today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway by Goodyear Racing.

Kyle Petty did some tests earlier and 13 drivers have been on the track this week in the wake of problems incurred in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in July when the Sprint Cup race became a series of 10-lap sprints due to tire problems. More tests will be run in April before a recommendation is made for the tire compound to be used in the 2009 race.

Stu Grant, general manager of Goodyear Racing, said the compound for the race was determined following tests this spring.

He said most of the problems came from tires on the right side. “And the track never rubbered up,” he said.

Numerous studies were made following the race and the tread has been modified for a “stickier tire” being used in the current tests. “We’re encouraged by the tire wear in the tests so far,” Grant said.

Mark Martin and Kasey Kahne are two of the drivers involved in the tests. Martin said he has been involved in all sorts of situations in his years in the series and in late models and said the Indianapolis race was no more bizarre than some others.

“NASCAR made the race the best it could under the conditions and no one was hurt. Goodyear has learned a lot since then,” he said.

“The new tire is more driveable and has great grip and will last longer,” he added.

Kahne said he had run some laps with the new tires. “The grip and turning are better and should be better for racing behind other cars,” he said.

He said the race in July was more frustrating for the fans and media than for the drivers. “It was challenging… once we ‘[understood the situation] we did what we had to do. I finished seventh,” he said.

Grant said tires normally should last as long as a full load of fuel. He said tire problems at Talladega were not the same as those at Indianapolis and appear mainly due to punctures.

He said Goodyear plans an aggressive test schedule next year. “We have one more test this year in Florida and one in Las Vegas in December,” he said.

He and the drivers and Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president, commented on the changes made this year in the new car being used in Cup races.

“The learning curve has been steep with the new car. Car development never stops [and] teams push to the limit to be competitive,” said Pemberton.

• • •

• Driver named — Raphael Matos will have a full-time ride in the IndyCar Series next year.

The 27-year-old native of Brazil will drive the No. 12 Symantec car for Luczo Dragon Racing, owned by Jay Penske and Steve Luczo. He was introduced to the media Tuesday at Indianapolis.

Matos starting racing go-karts when he was 10 years of age and has been driving in the United States since 2002, winning championships four of the past six seasons.

He won the Firestone Indy Lights title this year and the Champ Car Atlantic Series crown in 2007.

“Winning the title this year was a huge benefit,” he said. He said he is familiar with all of the tracks on the 2009 IndyCar Series schedule except for one as Luczo Racing competes in all races for the first time.

He commented on his start in racing. “My father brought a kart home [when I was 10] and said, ’Let’s go have some fun” and I’ve been racing ever since,” he said.

Penske is the son of Roger Penske. “I have the greatest respect for my father and for our car to drive alongside his drivers and cars is awesome,” he said.

        

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