#24-Jeff Gordon is scheduled to begin preparations today for what could be a historic victory in August at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The four-time Brickyard 400 champion is representing Chevrolet in a closed two-day tire test at the Speedway. He’ll be joined by Ryan Newman (Dodge) and Matt Kenseth (Ford) as Goodyear checks to see how its new, softer tire compounds fare on Indy’s newly paved surface. All the teams can be expected to test at the Speedway either before or after the Nextel Cup race July 10 at Chicagoland Speedway. The sessions are scheduled July 5-6 and 11-12. Rain is in the forecast for today, which could disrupt a test already postponed once. It was pushed back to allow for grinding of the track after a Firestone test in preparation for the Indianapolis 500 produced unusual tire wear. A subsequent Firestone test indicated the grinding had done its job.(Indianapolis Star)(4-26-2005)
UPDATE: Goodyear will attempt — again — to hold its NASCAR tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway today after Tuesday’s session was rained out. The tire manufacturer postponed a similar session earlier this month when the track’s surface was being grinded. Today’s test is closed to the public.(Indianapolis Star)(4-27-2005)
UPDATE 2: On-track preparations for the Brickyard 400 began Wednesday. A Goodyear tire test, shortened to one day by rain Tuesday, was completed with Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet), Ryan Newman (Dodge) and Matt Kenseth (Ford) running laps.(Indianapolis Star)(4-28-2005)
