After Indy, Pemberton says NASCAR, Goodyear plan 'to get it right'

JIM UTTER

The Charlotte Observer

Friday, Aug. 08, 2008

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - NASCAR is planning multiple on-track tests in the coming months at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to work in conjunction with Sprint Cup Series drivers in developing a better tire to use at the track next season.

Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition, said the tests will be held in conjunction with Goodyear and the dates and number of competitors involved will depend on drivers' schedules.

"We definitely have plans to go back multiple times to get it right," Pemberton said Friday at Watkins Glen international.

NASCAR was forced to call many competition cautions in last month's Allstate 400 at Indianapolis because the tires used were wearing to the cords after as little as nine laps on the track. Both fans and competitors complained about the lack of green-flag racing after the race.

Pemberton also said another option under discussion is the use of wider tires for the event.

"Actually we started the discussions (about wider tires) last year a little bit, more so in the spring. We talked about wider tires, we talked about taller tires, wheel diameters and things of that nature," he said.

"We've been kicking around and (Goodyear) has been doing research on it already."

However, Pemberton said no on-track tests have yet taken place utilizing any of those ideas.

reprint or license