Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will run the same tire code (D-4246) on all four tire positions at Watkins Glen this weekend . . . this is the first time NASCAR teams will be running this tire code, and Watkins Glen is the only track at which it will be run . . . compared to the tire run at NASCAR’s other road courses — in Sonoma, Calif. (Sprint Cup) and Montreal, Canada (Nationwide) — this tire has a tougher compound to account for The Glen’s higher speeds and loads encountered in the corners . . . as on all NASCAR road courses, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at Watkins Glen. Goodyear has brought 600 wet weather tires for use by Nationwide teams, should NASCAR deem that conditions warrant . . . this tire was tested by Juan Pablo Montoya at the Goodyear proving grounds in San Angelo, Texas this past November . . . this is a new tire code (D-4215), and introduces the use of carbon fiber technology into NASCAR . . . the carbon fiber helps reinforce the tire’s sidewalls for enhanced handling and contact with the course . . . this tire also features a different tread pattern from last year’s wet weather tire . . . a road car version of the tread pattern is featured on the Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Season high performance car tire. The estimated pit window is every 31-33 laps for the Sprint Cup tires, based on fuel mileage. See tire pressures, sizes, codes and more on my Watkins Glen Race Info page.(8-7-2009)
