Goodyear responds
There are a lot of rumors out there in regard to the tire situation at Irwindale Speedway. The feared switch from Goodyears to Hoosiers in the NASCAR Super Trucks division has several drivers upset. One wanted to know the answer to a question about where the tires are produced.
I was able to have a few of my questions answered, through e-mail, to shed some light on the tire shortage at Irwindale Speedway.
Justin Fantozzi, who is a sale and marketing manager at the Akron, Ohio, Goodyear plant, answered some of those questions.
Here is what he had to say:
Q: Is there a tire shortage?
A: Yes, we are experiencing a tire shortage in certain areas.
Q: Is the shortage unique to Irwindale Speedway?
A: The shortage is not unique to Irwindale. We have customers in other areas experiencing the same problem.
Q: Is the shortage a result of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series teams complaining about the quality of their tires, thus creating a production gap for the lower levels of NASCAR?
A: The race tire segment involved is not connected to our NASCAR production. NASCAR tires utilize radial tire technology, while the current tire supply situation involves our bias-ply technologies.
Although the two categories of tires are built in the same facility in Akron, Ohio, they are built in different areas of the factory and must be built on different machinery. Our relationship with NASCAR and the teams has never been stronger.
Q: How does Goodyear feel about the NASCAR Super Trucks drivers being forced to use Hoosiers because of the tire shortage?
A: We’re disappointed to be in this predicament. However, we do understand the situation we have created. Race tracks owners have to take care of the financial end of their businesses. Looking ahead, we hope that someday we can win back their business, if they so choose to change brands at this time.
About Haddock
in the Paddock
Tim Haddock covers motorsports — including stock-car and open-wheel racing — for the Los Angeles Daily News.
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