Goodyear has signed a three year deal with NASCAR Winston Cup to be the exclusive tire supplier for the Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and NASCAR Craftsman Truck series. That should put to bed any rumor that Firestone will return anytime soon. Also per the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Goodyear officials say they foresee no supply problems as a result a strike by the United Steelworkers (the union also represents rubber workers). The strike, which began at midnight Saturday(4-19-97), affect the company’s Akron, Ohio, plant, where all racing tires are made(4-25-97). Bill France has said that Firestone/Bridgestone have never approached NASCAR, formally or informally, about getting involved in the series again(Firestone was involved in the 60’s and 70’s). Also there may be some type of a ‘merchandising event’ that may include a NASCAR passenger tire(4-26-97)
