Tire Testing Completed at Lowe’s
Written by John Davison · April 4, 2006
Goodyear’s tire testing at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, extended from last week’s two days of testing, is over. Goodyear representatives at the track revealed to this writer that they have now learned enough to go back to Akron and start building tires for the open test sessions in a few weeks. The same tires recommended for the open test will be recommended for the races next month, barring a major surprise.
Tuesday’s tests were conducted by Dale Jarrett and Kevin Harvick. While no times were recorded or reported, we got the impression, confirmed by Goodyear personnel, that the times were more in line with those desired. Last week’s testing included a Craftsman Truck Series participant and we learned that the truck involved broke the old qualifying record while in race trim.
When the open test commences in a few weeks, ‘real’ times should be made available, making a more accurate comparison of the old surface vs. the new one possible. Predictions have mentioned lap speeds in the 197 mph range for the pole position, though track president H. A. “Humpy” Wheeler is on record as preferring significantly slower speeds at the mile and a half track. The new surface is obviously smoother, though drivers said in last week’s press conference that the infamous “Humpy Bump” in Turn Four was still present, merely much less noticeable than before.
Last week’s test sessions also saw the first crash on the new surface, when Jimmie Johnson suffered a flat right rear tire and crashed in the fourth turn. The Wednesday morning crash reportedly totaled the car, though Johnson was uninjured.
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