Several drivers are scheduled to test tires for Goodyear at Richmond International Raceway on Tuesday and Wednesday. Participating drivers include #11-Hamlin, #16-Biffle, #26-Whitt, #41-Busch, #42-Larson, and #43-Almirola.(7-8-2014)
UPDATE Goodyear spent Tuesday and Wednesday testing tires at Richmond International Raceway, hoping to avoid a repeat of April’s Toyota Owners 400. During that race, several drivers complained of disintegrating tires, and a handful of drivers saw their right front tire blow, costing them a shot at victory. The company brought about seven new models to the track and had six Sprint Cup drivers on hand to drive them. After sets of 50 laps in the summer sun, the feedback was positive. ‘I’m excited about coming to Richmond with whichever [new] tire they bring,’ Aric Almirola said. ‘They’re all driving great on our car.’ #11-Denny Hamlin thought the heat provided an ideal testing ground. ‘The track is hot enough to where it’s taking rubber, so it simulates a pretty good racing surface,’ he said. ‘These are extreme conditions, and that’s what you want to be tire testing in.’ Drivers were asked to rate the tires that they tried. Goodyear is secretive about the process and won’t reveal specifics about the tires they will ultimately provide teams with for the September race at Richmond International. Hamlin said the tire issues this spring were caused by a change in the car design which produced more downforce on the right front tire. ‘It puts Goodyear in a tough spot to build a tire that’s reliable, without making it so hard that it’s like concrete and the racing is awful,’ Hamlin said. He explained that harder tires aren’t as fast on the track. Drivers were also using the opportunity for extra laps at Richmond to plan ahead for the fall race. #26-Cole Whitt, who has finished 43rd and 41st in his two Richmond Sprint Cup races, was working on his turning lines out of turns 1 and 2. ‘We’re working on our stuff as much as Goodyear is working on the tires,’ he said. #16-Greg Biffle said there’s only so much that can be done, though, since Goodyear wants all the laps run a certain way, to provide consistency in their testing. For #42-Kyle Larson, the testing was an opportunity to drive the track more than he was able to in April.(Roanoke Times)(7-10-2014)
