2020 RACING MEDIA GUIDE - Goodyear Corporate
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
2020 RACING MEDIA GUIDE 27 2020 R acing M edia G uide
28 2020 R acing M edia G uide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MIKE SIBERINI A Message from Steve McClellan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
TRACKSIDE CONTACT How a NASCAR Tire is Made. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
P.O. Box 943,
Harrisburg, NC 28075 Labor of Love: Associates Proud of Role with NASCAR. . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Cell 704-905-3309
Email: mikesiberini@aol.com Goodyear Racing Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Mike Siberini started Goodyear Racing Ready for a Dynamic 2020 Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
with Goodyear in 1999 Goodyear, NASCAR Readying for Next Gen with New Tire . . . . . . . . 11
as a PR rep with the
NASCAR Truck Series, 2020 Venue Groupings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
followed by a move Conditions Facing NASCAR Racing Tires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
to Cup Series in 2001
and has since been Passenger and NASCAR Tire Cutaways, Race Tire Label Data. . . . . . 15
Goodyear’s PR rep Race Tire Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
at every Cup race.
Goodyear Continues Strong Association with NHRA. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
He also does freelance
TV production work with Goodyear Up to the Diverse Challenge that Is Sports Car Racing . . . 20
Fox and NBC. Prior to a
Goodyear’s Racing History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
PR stint in NASCAR in
1997, Siberini also worked 2019 Racing Champions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
with several professional
soccer franchises.
www.Goodyear.com/Racing @GoodyearRacing
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; 200 Innovation Way, Akron, OH 44316
Produced Feb. 2020 by Goodyear North America Communications, Akron, Ohio
© The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, 2020
Drivers interviewed may have received sponsorship, financial or product support from Goodyear.
2020 R acing M edia G uide 1
STEVE MCCLELLAN
President, Goodyear Americas
DEAR MEDIA MEMBERS
Since 1901, Goodyear has been an integral
part of what happens on the racetrack, and
that’s a responsibility we take personally.
Every NASCAR tire is handmade by Goodyear
associates in Akron where we constantly strive
to unlock performance, technology and
innovation to help drivers reach their racing
potential. It’s through this dedication that
Goodyear has earned the privilege to remain
the “Exclusive Tire Supplier” for NASCAR’s
top three series.
Thank you for being part of our story and
for providing compelling content that makes
motorsport special for millions of NASCAR fans
around the world. We look forward to the
2020 season and the coverage you will provide.
2 2020 R acing M edia G uide
HOW A NASCAR TIRE IS MADE IN AKRON, OHIO
3
2
1 TIRE BUILDING
ENGINEERED COMPONENTS Skilled tire builders at
Goodyear’s Innovation Center
Engineers design and in-house Manufacturing (ICM) facility
associates build all the components in Akron, Ohio hand build
MATERIALS that make up a race tire, including
the bead, sidewall, body plies,
each NASCAR tire to meet
Dozens of distinct ingredients precise specifications.
belts, overlay and tread.
come together in the process
of making a NASCAR race tire.
6
5
4
FINAL FINISH
CURING Tires are trimmed
Tires are exposed to high and inspected by hand
RFID CHIP temperatures and pressure
to bind the components,
for quality control.
A radio frequency identification (RFID) as well as give the tires
chip is embedded in the sidewall of their recognizable shape.
each NASCAR radial tire to track the tire
throughout its life cycle.
9
8
7
SHIPPING &
QUALITY SYSTEMS DELIVERY TO TRACK
After a NASCAR tire is built,
DECAL Throughout the manufacturing
process, components and tires cured and inspected,
The distinctive yellow Goodyear Eagle are subjected to numerous it is off to the race track.
lettering is applied to each NASCAR tire. checks to ensure uniformity
and quality, including manual
and visual inspections, testing
and X-ray.
2020 R acing M edia G uide 3
LABOR OF LOVE: ASSOCIATES PROUD
OF ROLE WITH NASCAR
BEN BOSWELL
13 Years of Service / Tire Builder
“I would have loved to have been a professional
athlete of some sport. However, building tires for
NASCAR is the next best thing!”
TARICE GARRETT
5 Years of Service / Stock Prep
“Goodyear starts with family. My great-grandfather
worked here for over thirty years and my husband
is a tire builder now.”
MARK LEIMEISTER
26 Years of Service / Tire Builder
“Closing in on three decades and being the third generation
in my family to work at Goodyear makes me very proud.
There is nothing like the thrill of finding out the tire I
built ended up in the winner’s circle.”
4 2020 R acing M edia G uide
ASSOCIATES, CONTINUED
JEFF KULMALA
25 Years of Service / Curing
“It’s great to be part of the rubber industry and
it’s great to be part of the history of Akron.”
ROB FORD
22 Years of Service / Final Finish
“Last year, I got to talk to a class of kids about
working at Goodyear, and it was really cool to tell
them about my job.”
PAT FOSTER
16 Years of Service / Extruders
“I like being involved in racing. In the ‘70s I helped
build pro cars. I almost was part of a Nationwide crew.
My dad worked for Goodyear for 43 years, so this is
a big part of my family.”
JOE MASSARO
25 Years of Service / Fabric Lab Operator
“Goodyear is a good company to work for. I’ve seen
a lot of changes over the years. I take a lot of pride in
my work. My job is to test all the components that go
into the tire. It’s really exciting to be part of NASCAR.
Quality is so important because people are driving
200 mph on the tires we build.”
2020 R acing M edia G uide 5
GOODYEAR RACING STAFF
STU GRANT General Manager, Global Race Tires RICK HEINRICH Account Manager, NASCAR
Iowa State (1972); Joined Goodyear 1972 Western Illinois University (1985); Joined Goodyear 1985
Stu joined Goodyear after graduating from Rick joined Goodyear’s retail store division
Iowa State University with a degree in in 1985 after graduating from Western
chemical engineering. After a year with Illinois University with a degree in business.
aircraft tire development, he moved to Rick moved to Goodyear’s headquarters
Goodyear’s racing division in 1973 as a in Akron in 1990 as an accountant in retail
racing tire engineer. Stu was named chief operations and after three years, he
compounder in 1978 and manager of was named operations manager for the
racing tire development programs in 1983. Commercial Tires Centers. He joined the
He transferred to passenger tires in 1991 Goodyear racing division in 2002, where
and then to Kelly-Springfield as marketing he managed the distribution and service
manager of light truck tires. Stu returned of race tires for NASCAR’s top three
to racing in 1994 as director of racing tire divisions. In 2008, Rick became the sales
sales and marketing. In February 1996, account manager for NASCAR.
he was named general manager of global
race tires.
TODD ROGERS Sales Account Manager, Drag Racing
Western Carolina University (2005); Joined Goodyear 2006
GREG STUCKER Director, Race Tire Sales Todd joined Goodyear racing with the
Vanderbilt University (1979); Joined Goodyear 1979
inventory control group in 2006 after
Greg joined Goodyear in 1979 following his graduating from Western Carolina University
graduation from Vanderbilt University with with a degree in sports management. In
a degree in mechanical engineering. After 2011, he became the sales account manager
a year on the technical squad, he joined for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,
the racing division in 1980, moving from K&N Pro Series (East and West) and the
short track and NASCAR tire development to Canadian Tire Series. In 2017, Todd took on
group leader for Indy cars in 1983. In 1986, the role of sales account manager, Drag Racing.
Greg was named chief engineer in racing.
Following three years in original equipment
passenger tire engineering, he returned TOM COURTNEY Manager, Race Event Operations
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (1995);
to racing in October 1998 as manager of
Joined Goodyear 1991
race tire product development. Greg was
promoted to director of race tire sales and Tom joined Goodyear as tire technician,
marketing in October 2000 and director of mounting race tires in the IndyCar group
sales in 2007. while working through college. He became
race tire service manager for the dirt group
in 2001, and was promoted to manager of
JUSTIN FANTOZZI Operations Manager, Racing logistics and distribution for NASCAR’s top
University of Cincinnati (1998); University of three divisions in 2005. In 2013, Tom was
Akron (2002); Joined Goodyear 1996 named manager of race event operations
overseeing NASCAR track operations and
Justin joined Goodyear’s racing division
race tire pre-mounting.
after graduating from the University of
Cincinnati with a degree in chemical
engineering. His race engineering career JAY CHAPMAN Sales Account Manager
included tire compounding and tire design University of Akron (2000); Joined Goodyear 2017
in the sports car, dirt and open-wheel
venues. Justin received an MBA in During his academic career, Jay earned
marketing from the University of Akron in a degree in business management from
2002, at which time he was assigned as the University of Akron and a motorsports
the field sales manager for dirt and asphalt management certificate from Sports
short track and then stock cars. In 2007, Management Worldwide. He began his
he was named marketing manager. In Goodyear career working in its retail
2014, he was named to his current role as stores, starting as a general service tech
operations manager. and working his way up to assistant store
manager. He joined the racing group in
2017 and currently oversees Goodyear’s
involvement in sports car racing, as well
as the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors
Truck Series.
6 2020 R acing M edia G uide
STAFF, CONTINUED
BOB ALTVATER Manager, Race Tire SHANNON BAKER Project Leader,
Development & Quality Advanced Engineering Group
Virginia Tech (1980); Joined Goodyear 1980 GMI Engineering & Management Institute (2001);
Joined Goodyear 2002
Bob joined the Goodyear-Danville
manufacturing facility after graduating Shannon joined Goodyear racing’s advanced
from Virginia Tech with a degree in engineering group after graduating from
chemical engineering. Over the next 22 GMI with a degree in mechanical engineering.
years, he had assignments in multiple He was responsible for force and moment
North American manufacturing locations testing and the implementation of radio
as part of the quality & technology frequency identification (RFID) technology
organization. In the fall of 2002, he in NASCAR. Between 2014-2017, Shannon
moved to Akron and has led the consumer served as lead engineer of Goodyear’s
design standards team, the global product tire vehicle mechanics group before being
performance team and has had multiple promoted in August 2017 to his current
leadership assignments in the regional position, in which he focuses on developing
quality & technology team supporting all advanced technologies for the racing group.
North American manufacturing locations.
Bob joined Goodyear Racing in 2012
and is responsible for race tire product RYAN BENOIT Lead Engineer, Racing Technology
Virginia Tech (2011); Joined Goodyear 2011
development and outgoing quality.
Ryan joined Goodyear in 2011 after graduating
from Virginia Tech with a degree in materials
MARK KETO NASCAR Project Manager science engineering and started work on MRT
Penn State University (1996); Joined Goodyear 1996
tires in Danville, Va. He joined the Goodyear
Mark joined Goodyear’s racing group NASCAR team at the beginning of the 2013
to work with the sports car development season as a compounder. In August 2017, Ryan
team after graduating from Pennsylvania was promoted to lead engineer of the NASCAR
State University with a degree in chemical group. His focus is designing an optimized
engineering. By early 1997 he shifted tire package for each event, tire quality and
to the NASCAR group, working as a tire tire development.
compounder. Mark served as lead engineer
of the NASCAR group between 2001-2011
and project leader for racing technology BILL BEDONT Lead Engineer, Drag & Sports Car Racing
University of Pittsburgh (1999), University of Akron (2003);
between 2011-2017. He was promoted
Joined Goodyear in 1999
to his current position in July 2017.
Bill joined Goodyear in 1999 with a degree
in mechanical engineering. He initially
DAVE AUFFENBERG Project Manager, worked in the global engineering group on
Tire Development, Drag & Sports Car Racing
extruders while getting his Masters degree in
Purdue University (1985); Joined Goodyear 1985
mechanical engineering from the University
Dave joined Goodyear in 1985 in dirt racing of Akron. He joined the race group in 2003 as
and Formula One after graduating a drag designer until 2007. Bill re-joined the
from Purdue University with a degree in race division as lead engineer for drag and
chemical engineering. Dave moved to the sports car tires in 2019.
stock car group in 1987, then the CART
series in 1990. He was made group leader
of dirt, drag and bias-ply tires in 1993, MARTY BURGESS Manufacturing Director,
DeVry Institute of Technology (2016); St. Lawrence College
then was named chief engineer over stock
(2007); Joined Goodyear 1996
car, sports radial, supercar and bias-ply
tires in 1997. Dave’s focus as project Marty joined Goodyear in 1996 and worked
manager since 2011 remains on drag and for nearly 23 years in the Napanee, Ontario,
sports car tires. Canada plant. He has a degree from DeVry
Institute of Technology in business administration
and project management as well as experience
and accreditations as both an industrial
electrician and an industrial mechanic
millwright. He had assignments of increasing
responsibility in both tire manufacturing and
maintenance at Napanee. In October 2018,
Marty joined innovation center manufacturing,
Goodyear’s race tire plant.
2020 R acing M edia G uide 7
GOODYEAR RACING READY
FOR A DYNAMIC 2020 SEASON
firmly back in charge of the sport, along with a
strong and diverse group of leaders like Mike Helton,
Goodyear has been synonymous with racing success Steve Phelps, Steve O’Donnell and many more in the
throughout its history, and that strong tradition continues competition department.
into the new decade. The company’s involvement with
NASCAR, the National Hot Rod Association, in sports cars “Jim France has stepped in and done a tremendous job,”
and now in the burgeoning sport of vintage car racing is said Grant. “And that’s not just running NASCAR on a
unmatched in the United States. day-to-day basis, but also defining the strategy for the
future growth of the sport.”
Goodyear’s longest running association has been with
NASCAR. It dates back to the 1950s, and there has NASCAR enters the 2020 season with most rules similar
been an exclusive relationship with all three of the to the 2019 season when it moved back to a higher
sanctioning body’s national downforce package. The big
series since 1997. change this year are some
adjustments to the
“2020 starts a whole new short track package, as
decade, and while we’re championship weekend
excited to begin another moves to the one-mile
chapter in our motorsports ISM Raceway in suburban
involvement, it’s worth Phoenix this fall.
reflecting on our past
history,” said Stu Grant, “As the official tire supplier
Goodyear’s general manager we made adjustments to our
of global race tires. “2020 tires to handle the higher
marks the beginning of our downforce rules in 2019, and
66th consecutive year of our we will continue to make
participation in NASCAR racing. Goodyear is, without the adjustments necessary to stay ahead of the rule
question, the longest running continuous partner in NASCAR tweaks in 2020,” added Grant.
history. And that isn’t something to be taken lightly.
But keeping up with this dynamic sport, a big change is
“Goodyear and NASCAR have, over the years, developed coming for the 2021 season, and Goodyear and the sport
extremely strong relationships at all levels and in all as a whole have been working that project for some
disciplines. It’s hard to grasp how much has changed time already.
over that length of time, but here we are, and the bond
between Goodyear and NASCAR is stronger than ever.” “Perhaps most importantly, much of our focus this year
will be on the development of our 18-inch bead diameter
NASCAR has proven to be a most dynamic and tire for introduction on the Next Gen car in 2021,” said
forward thinking organization. The one constant is the Grant. “So this year will be a very busy year – not just
involvement of the France family, with Jim France now continued on next page
8 2020 R acing M edia G uide2020 SEASON, CONTINUED
for our tire development said Grant. “Drag racing
engineers but for our Innovation continues to be extremely
Center Manufacturing team popular and we very much
as well. A significant investment appreciate our status as
is being made in our factory in 100 percent, sole tire supplier
order to give us the capability for the top three professional
of producing enough 18-inch divisions – Top Fuel, Funny Car
Goodyear Eagles for the Cup and Pro Stock.
Series, in addition to continuing
to supply 15-inch tires to the “We are constantly working
Xfinity Series and the Gander RV with the NHRA to insure great
& Outdoors Truck Series. Even racing in these categories, and
with all of the challenges we in addition, we continue to
will face in 2020, I’m confident introduce new products in order
that it will be a success because to expand our presence in the
of the dedicated people involved sportsman categories. From the
in both Goodyear and NASCAR new Factory Stock Shootout
and the excellent communication category to Top Alcohol Dragster
between the two groups.” to the Pro Mod and Stock
Eliminator classes, they’re
While NASCAR is Goodyear’s all important opportunities
longest continuous relationship, for us to showcase the
the National Hot Rod Association is Goodyear brand.”
a major focus for the organization,
and one that continues to flourish The NHRA is an extremely
decade after decade. diverse organization, sanctioning
continued on next page
“The same close working relationship we have at
NASCAR, we also enjoy with our friends at NHRA,”
2020 R acing M edia G uide 92020 SEASON, CONTINUED
races in a wide and Bill Elliott
range of vehicles have helped us
for drivers of develop some
all budgets and of these new
experience products and
levels, including have turned into
the pro classes some of our best
of the Mello Yello salesmen too.”
Series to the
sportsmen in the Motorsports,
Lucas Oil Series. by its very
nature, is a fast
“The nitro classes moving sport.
may be the most Keeping up
popular, but the throughout the
bulk of the NHRA many series and
competitors throughout the
are in the Lucas Oil Series, and we want those cars on decades is a job best left to the professionals like the
Goodyear rubber too,” added Grant. ones at Goodyear Racing.
Diversity is certainly the watchword of sports car racing, “We’ve got exciting projects going on in every area
another area that Goodyear has a major footprint. of our motorsports program, and NASCAR and NHRA
are both going into 2020 with a lot of momentum,”
“We made some big strides in our sports car program concluded Grant. “With an upward trend in popularity
in 2019, and we’re building on that in 2020,” said Grant. in both areas, coupled with our ongoing tire development
“We’ve added tires to our Landspeed, Vintage product programs and expanded product lineup, it’s going to be
and SCCA sportsman lines. Old friends like Ray Evernham an exciting year!”
10 2020 R acing M edia G uideGOODYEAR, NASCAR READYING
FOR NEXT GEN WITH NEW TIRE
element of that system. It’s exciting to develop an all
new tire size for use in NASCAR.”
There is much excitement about the upcoming 2020 The 18-inch tire will run on all new dimensions and have
NASCAR Cup Series season. Outside the 36 points-paying many advantages over its 15-inch predecessor.
races on the schedule, a lot of work that will be done by
the industry this year will look ahead to 2021 when the “The new 18-inch tire is about a quarter-inch larger in
series will have a new car and new tire from Goodyear. diameter and an inch-and-a-half wider,” said Mark Keto,
Goodyear’s NASCAR project manager. “The lower aspect
Since last year NASCAR, Goodyear and the sport as a ratio significantly improves handling performance, and
whole has been working on the Next Gen vehicle that will the larger contact patch of the tread provides more
be campaigned in 2021. What that means from Goodyear’s mechanical grip which will reduce the aero dependence
standpoint is a move from a tire that runs on a 15-inch of the car when compared to a car with a narrower tire.”
wheel to one that more resembles one that is run on
current passenger vehicles and fits on an 18-inch wheel. The 18-inch tire has been on track with the first three
Next Gen tests in late-2019 and early-2020 – at Richmond
“Certainly, the Next Gen car is the most exciting and Raceway, ISM Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
most important competition project within NASCAR continued on next page
in a long time,” said Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director
of racing. “It’s virtually a complete redesign of the
Cup Series vehicle.
“In such a massive project, it’s imperative to capitalize
on the expertise and knowledge base in the industry
to impact and meld all the elements of such a complex
undertaking. And that’s exactly what NASCAR has done,
bringing together the teams and their technical
organizations, the OEM’s, NASCAR’s own experts, and
critical suppliers, like Goodyear, to be involved in the
project from the very early stages. With these key
parties involved, the project develops as a system,
not independent parts. And, of course, tires are a key
2020 R acing M edia G uide 11NEXT GEN TIRE, CONTINUED
“All three tests have gone extremely well, and with each continually learning and advancing the durability
test we are learning what the car wants from a suspension performance of the tires, and it will continue even after
set-up standpoint and learning what compounds work the introduction of the new car in the 2021 season.”
at each of the tracks,” said Keto. “The focus of the
early tests has been on car development more so than tire Another challenge will come with the re-tooling of
development. We have limited the amount of on-track Goodyear’s Innovation Center Manufacturing plant in
constructions and focused more on compound development. Akron, Ohio, which will still need to produce tires for
As the car gets more and more refined and near the final 15-inch wheels for the NASCAR Xfinity and Gander RV
design, the tests will & Outdoors Truck
most likely shift to Series while meeting
more focus on tire the demands for the
development. 18-inch version for
the Cup Series.
“As the car goes
through it’s different “It also requires
development phases, commitment, like that
the performance demonstrated by the
requirements will substantial investment
change. In the Next in our manufacturing
Gen car’s current facility to expand the
state of development, 18-inch capabilities
we have learned required for the volume
that the current needed to supply
compounds used on the Cup Series,” said
the 15-inch tires at Stucker. “However
the same tracks are I fully believe the
on the conservative investment in time,
side and we are able money and human
to bring ‘softer’ capital will be well
compounds with the worth it.
wider 18-inch tires.
As the car set-ups “When the Next Gen
evolve, we will use that data to refine our laboratory car hits the track for the 2021 season, the fans will see
test conditions to ensure we are meeting the required a race car with all the key elements like engine,
performance bogeys.” suspension, aerodynamics and tires tuned to produce
great performance and competition. They’ll also see a car
One of the biggest technical challenges of this project is that’s much closer in appearance to the model they see
handling the sustained loads and speeds of a Cup car on an on their OEM’s showroom floor. Enhancing that connection
oval track. Goodyear is uniquely qualified for that challenge between the street and the track is a very important goal
and will accomplish its goals by combining its vast racing of the Next Gen project. From a tire perspective, a large
experience with the latest in tire technology for solutions. number of the tires sold in North America today are
18-inch or larger. All these different aspects are what
“The most significant challenge has been achieving the makes the Next Gen project so exciting.”
necessary tire durability with the new tire size due to the
reduced sidewall height and contained air volume,” said NASCAR is already an exciting sport, and tackling
Keto. “We have conducted tire builds, laboratory testing the challenge of designing the Next Gen car and the
and analysis for the last two years on the new 18-inch 18-inch tire will only bring it to a whole new level.
size. It’s an evolutionary process in which we are
12 2020 R acing M edia G uide2020 VENUE GROUPINGS
For Goodyear Eagle racing radial tires in the NASCAR
Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series & NASCAR Gander
RV & Outdoors Truck Series
GROUP 1 Daytona
Talladega
GROUP 2 Charlotte
Chicagoland
Darlington
Dover
Fontana
Homestead
Kansas
Kentucky
Las Vegas
Michigan
Texas
GROUP 3 Atlanta
GROUP 4 Bristol
Indianapolis
Pocono
GROUP 5 Gateway
Iowa
Loudon
Phoenix
Richmond
GROUP 6 Martinsville
GROUP 7 Charlotte Roval
Mid-Ohio
Ontario
(Mosport)
Road America
Sonoma
Watkins Glen
13
2020 R acing M edia G uide 13
2020 R acing M edia G uideCONDITIONS FACING NASCAR RACING TIRES
GOODYEAR MAKES EVERY
RACING TIRE PRODUCED
FOR NASCAR’S
TOP THREE SERIES.
1,873
THROUGH 2019
GOODYEAR NASCAR CUP
SERIES RACES.
TM
HAS WON
GOODYEAR GOODYEAR BRINGS NEARLY
4,000
PRODUCES MORE THAN
100K
TIRES TO
THE TRACK
ON A TYPICAL NASCAR RACE WEEKEND
TIRES EACH YEAR WHEN ALL THREE SERIES ARE RACING.
FOR NASCAR.
GOODYEAR RACING ENGINEERS WORK WITH EVERY TEAM AT EVERY RACE
TO ASSESS TIRE PERFORMANCE THROUGH CREW FEEDBACK AND DATA COLLECTION.
WHEN
W HEN
EN CO
CORNERING, THE RIGHT
MOST NASCAR TIRES
TIRE SPECIALISTS FRONT
FR TIRE SUPPORTS APPROXIMATELY
RONT TTIR
HAVE SLICK TREADS TO
“MATCH” TIRES INTO
SETS ACCORDING TO THE 4,000 POUNDS MAXIMIZE
TEAM’S RACE STRATEGY. OF LOADD – ABOUT 4X MORE THAN WHAT SURFACE AREA CONTACT
EXPERIENCED
IS EXPER
EXP
XPE ON THE LEFT SIDE. WITH THE TRACK.
AT 200 MPH, RIGHT SIDE NASCAR TIRES
TEAMS TAKE TREAD DEPTH
THE SURFACE AREA OF ONE READINGS BEFORE AND AFTER
TIRE TOUCHING THE TRACK ARE LARGER IN DIAMETER TIRE USE DURING THE RACE
3
IS APPROXIMATELY EQUAL AND TYPICALLY HAVE HIGHER AIR PRESSURE TO HELP DETERMINE PIT STRATEGY
TO HALF OF AN 8.5” X 11” THAN LEFT SIDE TIRES. THIS HELPS CARS IN
THE TURNS ON THE TRACK. AND SETUP ADJUSTMENTS TO IMPROVE
2
PIECE OF PAPER. PERFORMANCE AND MINIMIZE PIT STOPS.
1
7
ON TRACKS LONGER THAN ONE MILE GOODYEAR TESTS RACE TIRES
A TUBELESS INNER TIRE, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
ACTING AS A SAFETY SPARE, AT RACES, OFF-SITE TRACKS
IS REQUIRED BY NASCAR. AND THE GOODYEAR INNOVATION
CENTER IN AKRON, OHIO.
NASCAR is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. ©2020 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
14 2020 R acing M edia G uideCUTAWAYS & TIRE LABEL DATA
Tread Pattern
helps provide
traction capabilities
Tread Compound
aids traction and
wear in varying
driving conditions
PASSENGER TIRE CUTAWAY Carcass Plies
help provide resilience
and load carrying capability
Apex
in some tires, a sidewall
insert to enhance steering
response during cornering
Belt Package Bead
helps control footprint shape interface between
and generate cornering power the tire and wheel
Tread Compound
helps provide grip
to the race track
Belt Package
helps control footprint
shape at high speeds
NASCAR TIRE CUTAWAY Carcass Plies
helps provide load
carrying capability
Inner Liner
serves as an inner tire
to help support the race car
if the outer tire is punctured
Bead
interface between Apex
the tire and wheel Rim helps control sidewall
built to help accommodate stiffness
inner and outer tires
Eight-Digit
Barcode Identifier
Spring Rate
RACE TIRE LABEL DATA Tire Size
tire diameter, tread width
and bead diameter
Product Code
Tire Classification Every new Goodyear race tire
is delivered with a tire label.
Tire D Code
identifies mold, construction
and compound combination;
also found on tire sidewall
Sequence Number
identifies tire production
sequence
2020 R acing M edia G uide 15RACE TIRE FACTS
NASCAR NHRA (TOP FUEL)
CONSTRUCTION Radial Bias-ply
TOP SPEED More than 200 mph More than 300 mph
WHEEL SIZE 15 inch Front 17 inch; Rear 16 inch
WEIGHT 24 lbs. Front 5.25 lbs.; Rear 49 lbs.
TREAD Up to 40 different compounds, One compound each,
COMPOUNDS (Each designed to perform under front and rear
specific track and pavement conditions)
AVERAGE 1/8 inch Front 1/32 inch; Rear 5.5/32 inch
TREAD DEPTH
RECOMMENDED 10 to 54 PSI Front 70 PSI; Rear 6.5 PSI
INFLATION
TIRE LIFE Between 80 and 100 miles About 2 miles
(The distance it takes to use a full tank of fuel) (6 to 8 runs down the drag strip)
PRICE $501 each (Leased by teams) Front $272; Rear $917 (Purchased by teams)
16 2020 R acing M edia G uideGOODYEAR CONTINUES STRONG ASSOCIATION WITH NHRA
meet every race and talk on off-weeks as well. We really
appreciate the relationship we have with the NHRA and
are excited to be a part of growing the great sport of
Racing in the National Hot Rod Association highlights NHRA drag racing.”
some of the greatest and most exciting attributes in
the world of motorsports – speed, power, precision and The NHRA is a sport that is on the rise, and the season-long
performance. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, championships in the Pro classes of the Mello Yello Series
with its long and storied relationship with the NHRA, were won by a strong and diverse roster of drivers in
is a proud part of that. 2019 – Steve Torrence in Top Fuel, Robert Hight in Funny
Car and Erica Enders in Pro Stock.
Goodyear is the exclusive tire supplier to the Top Fuel,
Funny Car and Pro Stock classes of the NHRA’s Mello Yello “Steve Torrence claimed his second Top Fuel title,
Drag Racing Series, and competes throughout the Lucas successfully defending his 2018 championship campaign,”
Oil Racing Series for the sportsman racers. said Rogers. “Torrence and his CAPCO team won eight
of nine races over the summer and rode that hot streak
“Goodyear’s involvement with into the Countdown. They were
NHRA puts us in a partnership with able to hold off a hard charging
a tremendous sanctioning body Doug Kalitta to bring home the
and a huge number of racers championship.
focused on one thing – getting
down the dragstrip, albeit at “In Funny Car, Robert Hight
different speeds and methods,” wheeled his John Force Racing
said Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s Chevrolet to his third career
director of racing. “Providing championship, picking up his
tires that stand up to the 50th career win along the way.
demands of Top Fuel Dragsters Six race wins along with three
and Funny Cars is most likely the runner-up finishes helped to propel
biggest challenge in racing, but Hight into an elite level of NHRA
equally demanding is tuning tires drivers owning three Mello Yello
to the diverse needs of all the championships.
sportsman classes. It’s a pleasure
to work with NHRA and the teams “Erica Enders also claimed her
in focusing on all those needs in third career championship title with
continuity.” a strong performance down the
championship stretch in Pro Stock.
“Our relationship with the NHRA She has made her stamp on history
is so important, and we love as she joins Shirley Muldowney and
working with them,” added Todd Angelle Sampey as the only women
Rogers, Goodyear’s sales account with three NHRA national titles.”
manager for drag racing. “We continued on next page
2020 R acing M edia G uide 17NHRA, CONTINUED
In the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, two champion drivers “We will roll out a new front tire for the Funny Cars
brought home titles on Goodyear tires – Megan Meyer in 2020,” said Rogers. “This tire, the D-2989, features
in Top Alcohol Dragster and Frank Aragona Jr. in very minor changes that will help with some heat buildup
Competition Eliminator. we saw at times last year. Teams will have the option
to run the previous tire, the D-1961, or the new version
“In the Lucas Oil Series, Megan Meyer became the first for the 2020 season.
female champion in the 45-year history of her category,”
said Rogers. “Following the legacy of her champion “We also look forward to more development for our Lucas
father and team owner, Randy, Megan had five national Oil racers. The Sportsman racers are the lifeblood and
event wins in 2019 and has truly become one of the backbone of NHRA drag racing. You see so many types of
brightest young stars in the sport. cars and different types of racing there is just something
there for everybody. We’re really excited about coming
out with some new products in some of these classes.”
Another area of growth for both Goodyear and the sport
as a whole is in the Factory Stock Showdown class.
“We will have a continued focus on the SAM Tech Factory
Stock Showdown in 2020,” said Rogers. “We were able
to work closely with the KB Racing guys during the 2019
“Frank captured the Competition Eliminator title, season. Jason Line, Greg Anderson, and all of those guys
successfully defending his 2018 championship. The over at KB were a big help and really fun to work with.
back to back titles gave Frank his third overall NHRA We are really excited about the racers we have coming
championship, making him the third driver in history back to compete in Showdown in 2020.”
to accomplish that feat in that category.”
Speed, power, precision and performance are all words
The exciting and successful 2019 season is built on a long that help define the NHRA, with Goodyear being there
and consistent history of engineering success by Goodyear. with every pass of its teams.
“Our current rear tire for the Nitro guys, ‘Big Mo,’ has
been in use since 2016, and we’re happy with where we
are in terms of performance and longevity,” said Rogers.
“It’s a situation we monitor closely throughout the year
with both the NHRA and the teams. We will continue to
test throughout the year, even without active plans to
change the tire. We have some things we tried out at
the Las Vegas test in the off-season, with just a couple
of small changes to see how the tire reacts. We are well
aware that we have to be continuously testing to keep
up with this dynamic sport.”
There is one change coming in the 2020 Goodyear tire
lineup in Funny Car, and some potential for enhancements
in other classes as well.
18 2020 R acing M edia G uideNHRA FEATURE HEADLINE PLACEHOLDER, CONTINUED
19
2020 R acing M edia G uide 19
2020 R acing M edia G uideGOODYEAR UP TO THE DIVERSE CHALLENGE
THAT IS SPORTS CAR RACING
Jay Chapman, Goodyear’s sales account manager for sports
car racing. “Goodyear Racing tires were the tire to be on
in the fastest classes at the event, and again have shown
The sport of Sports Car racing is on the rise in the United that we are ‘More Driven’ to be at the top of the podium.”
States with a great number of sanctioning bodies and
series campaigning around the country. Goodyear, as it In all, Goodyear drivers brought home three
has been throughout its history, is infinitely involved. championships at VIR – Ernie Francis Jr. in GT1, Todd
Slusher in P1 and Peter Shadowen in GT Lite.
“Sports car racing offers us the opportunity to showcase
our technical expertise on a variety of vehicles and “With very strong field of competitors in GT1, changing
applications,” said Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director weather conditions and a less-than-perfect track surface,
of racing. “From the challenges of the small open-wheel Goodyear was able to bring multiple tire strategies
and production classes to the demands of high and put two teams on the podium with Ernie Francis Jr.
horsepower GT1, and the resurgence of vintage racing of Breathless Racing reaching the top step, driving
in the U.S., this realm of motorsports provides not only smartly, protecting his car and executing flawlessly,”
exciting racing, but a diverse platform on which to said Chapman. Also, David Pintaric, a previous Runoff
explore many elements of tire and vehicle technology.” champion on our Goodyear Eagles, was third and debuted
an 18-inch tire. His Kryder Racing team’s efforts were
One of the highlights of Goodyear’s sports car program a step towards the future of GT1 racing.
is always the Sports Car Club of America Runoffs, held
this past season at Virginia International Raceway. “P1 had a very strong field with multiple teams focusing
on development of the DP01 car in many different
“The 2019 Runoffs proved to be both challenging and strategies. Some showed aero advancement, while others
rewarding for Goodyear and our teams,” said sought increased mechanical grip. In the end, the
continued on next page
20 2020 R acing M edia G uideSPORTS CAR, CONTINUED
One Motorsports team did their homework and took
home the top two spots with Todd Slusher winning and
Chip Romer finishing a close second.
“GTL was won in fine fashion by Peter Shadowen, as he
piloted his Honda Civic to the lead from flag-to-flag. We
are proud to say that Peter is a returning champion on
Goodyear Eagles.”
In 2020, in addition to the SCCA, Goodyear Racing
will continue to support the growth of the Formula Car
Challenge Series, which races three levels of single-seater
cars that provide a range of platforms to fit many
different drivers talents and budgets; HSR, an organization
that promotes races like the historic 24-Hours of Daytona
and brings in some of the world’s most prestigious cars
while allowing fans to see where sports car racing has
come from and where it is today; SVRA, which allows for
teams to bring historical cars to the track and race with
a more open mindset: HMSA, the most period-correct
sanctioning body that has a strong belief in preserving
the history of sports car racing and displays the best
of the best at venues like Laguna Seca and Long Beach;
and the vintage stock car market as a whole.
“Ray Evernham’s ‘Ghost’ program was in the spotlight at
“SCCA, FCC, HSR, SVRA, and HMSA are all great series the 2019 Runoffs, where he was able to discuss and display
in their individual styles” said Chapman. “While they his amazing creation. The racers admired his talented
each have a slightly different business model, Goodyear build while also taking notes with some one-on-one
works to supply, support and develop products for those discussions,” said Chapman. “The Ghost was also able to
competitors that are driven to win.” reach 196 mph at Pocono Raceway on a 15-inch NASCAR
radial in front a huge crowd of open wheel spectators.
Out of that group, vintage car racing is especially on
the rise. “Bill primarily runs in HSR events and ran a former 2009
Ray Evernham Enterprises car that was originally driven
“Vintage racing continues to grow globally with each by Kasey Kahne in the NASCAR Cup Series. Working with
area of the world seeing unique growth in specific styles Bill is such a pleasure. His talents behind the wheel, as
of motorsport,” said Chapman. “In the United States, we well as his ability to communicate with our engineers
are seeing a surge of growth in the vintage stock car scene. about how the car and tires are interacting together,
Cars that once proudly raced at the highest levels of show he is still very much a professional driver and an
NASCAR on our tires are now making an encore appearance outstanding ambassador of our sport and products.”
and racing at many historic road courses across the
country. We are proud to see our legacy being preserved Sports car racing features an extremely diverse number
as well as telling that story to a younger generation.” of series and cars from multiple eras of the sport, driven
by individuals that have competed at the highest levels
A couple of drivers that provided highlights in the vintage all the way down to the amateur ranks. Goodyear is proud
area in 2019 and will continue into this year are NASCAR to be involved at all levels of the sport, providing the
superstars Ray Evernham and Bill Elliott. safest, most competitive and best tires across the board.
2020 R acing M edia G uide 21GOODYEAR’S RACING HISTORY
1981 Goodyear “Eagle”
1963 A.J. Foyt persuaded
Goodyear to authorize a
tire officially replaced “Blue
Streak” as the designation for its
racing tires. The company’s high
development program for performance passenger tires also
the Indy 500, after a 44-year adopted the “Eagle” name.
absence.
1901 Goodyear’s first
1982
foray into racing, and its first
victory, came when Henry Ford 1964 Foyt won the Indy Car
season’s first race (Phoenix) on
Since the startup of
the NASCAR Xfinity (formerly
Busch and Nationwide) Series
put Goodyear rubber on his
car sponsored by the Detroit Goodyear racing tires. in 1982, all the champions have
Driving Club. won on Goodyear Eagle tires.
Goodyear won the 24 Hours of
Le Mans with Dan Gurney and
1916 Goodyear launched
its first serious race tire 1957 Goodyear asked
Bob Bondurant in a GT Cobra.
development program. Cars
equipped with Goodyear Cord
NASCAR drivers Lee Petty
and Darel Dieringer to do limited 1965 Twelve Indianapolis
500 cars ran on Goodyear tires,
Tires began dominating U.S. race tire testing in West Palm
racing circuits. Beach, Fla. starting the Indy Car phase of
the tire war with Firestone.
1919 Goodyear tires were on 1958 The company’s
the winning car in every major official re-entry into racing.
Goodyear developed the
crashworthy fuel cell for
race this year, including the Indianapolis-style cars, to
reduce the risk of fire.
Indianapolis 500.
1959 At NASCAR’s Darlington
Goodyear won its first Formula
1922 Having accomplished
its goals and faced with economic
race, Goodyear went head to
head against Firestone. Driver One World Championship title.
Jim Reed finished first on
uncertainty, Goodyear dropped
out of active racing participation.
Goodyear tires. 1966 Goodyear produced
its Lifeguard Safety Spare
for NASCAR stock car racing,
referred to as the “tire within a
tire.” NASCAR mandated its use.
Goodyear shared its tire safety
technology, even in the throes
of a tire war.
1983 Goodyear’s radial
rain tire for Formula One cars,
introduced at the Monaco Grand
1967 A.J. Foyt rolled into
Victory Lane at the Indianapolis
Prix, featured a unidirectional
“Gatorback” tread pattern.
500 on Goodyear tires – the
company’s first Indy 500 win
since its re-emergence in racing.
1984 Goodyear introduced
its radial slick tread tires to
Formula One. The first radial
1968 Since 1968, every
NASCAR champion of the
victory was at the Belgium
Grand Prix.
premier Cup Series has been Michelin withdrew from Formula
on Goodyear tires. One racing.
1974 Firestone withdrew
from all forms of racing.
1987 Hoosier, a Lakeville,
Ind., racing tire company,
competed with Goodyear
1978 The tire war began
in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
between Goodyear and Michelin
in Formula One racing. 1988 Hoosier entered
NASCAR Cup racing. A Hoosier
1954 Goodyear conducted 1960 Goodyear won its first
1980 Formula One race
tire production moved to Akron,
win at Richmond, Va., stalled
Goodyear’s Cup win streak at 464.
tire tests at Darlington,
S.C., for the NASCAR Convertible
Series. The featured Goodyear
international sports car race
with Maserati driver Stirling
Moss at the Grand Prix of Cuba,
Ohio, from Wolverhampton,
England. 1989 Goodyear introduced
the radial tire at North Wilkesboro,
tire was the Police Special. It and won the Daytona 500. Goodyear withdrew temporarily N.C. – and Dale Earnhardt won
marked the unofficial re-entry from Formula One racing from the race. Hoosier soon withdrew
into racing. December 1980 to June 1981. from NASCAR’s top tier.
22 2020 R acing M edia G uideHISTORY, CONTINUED
1991 Goodyear’s tubeless
version of the inner liner safety
1997 In April, Goodyear
was selected as the “Exclusive
2006 An industry first,
Goodyear employed RFID
2013 Goodyear debuts its
multi-zone tread technology at
spare, or shield, was introduced. Tire Supplier” for NASCAR’s top technology on a production Atlanta Motor Speedway.
It eliminated the innertube and three series. scale to track tires under a The new right-side NASCAR tire
most tire air equalization. new leasing program in combines two different rubber
1992 Goodyear introduced
1998 Goodyear introduced
its wet racing tire for NASCAR
NASCAR’s top three series.
All race tire production is moved
compounds to form Traction and
Endurance Zones.
under one roof at the Akron
its Short Track Special racing
Eagle for asphalt tracks and
launched new yellow-lettered
Xfinity Series road course events.
After 368 victories and 25
Innovation Center complex. 2014 Goodyear celebrates 60
consecutive years of supplying
Eagle race tires for NASCAR Cup. Drivers’ World Championships
in Formula One, Goodyear 2009 Goodyear developed
race tires to NASCAR and its
drivers.
1993 Every race on the
NASCAR Cup schedule ran
resigned as a tire supplier
after the 1998 season.
a new NASCAR wet weather tire
with a tread pattern based on
the popular Eagle F1 All Season 2015 As part of a broader
on the new breed of Goodyear
Eagle radial racing tires. 1999 Goodyear left open
wheel racing’s CART and IRL
street tire. It is run for the first
time in a NASCAR Xfinity Series
“throwback” initiative during
the Labor Day weekend races at
Bias-ply tires were relegated race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Darlington Raceway, designed
to the history books. series. In the four-year IRL in Montreal in August. to honor the track’s storied past
history, Goodyear earned in NASCAR racing, Goodyear
The Aquatro wet weather tire two driver titles, two tire Celebrated its 1,500th NASCAR replaced its yellow “Goodyear
was introduced in Formula One. manufacturer titles, two Indy Cup victory, by Carl Edwards at Eagle” lettering on the tire
500 wins and 17 total victories. Michigan in August. sidewalls with a white Goodyear
1994 logo to imitate the design of
2001
Hoosier returned to NASCAR tires used in the 1970s.
NASCAR Cup and Xfinity racing Goodyear was selected
but withdrew at the end of
the season.
as sole tire supplier to the NHRA’s
Top Fuel and Funny Car classes. 2016 Goodyear debuts
new advertising featuring
Goodyear reached two
milestones: the 300th victory
in Formula One at Barcelona,
2002 During its return to
NASCAR North Series, Goodyear
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Spain, and the 300th tires helped set 11 track
consecutive victory in qualifying records.
Indy Car at Vancouver, B.C.
1995 2005 Goodyear became the
Goodyear was the sole sole supplier to the new NASCAR
tire supplier to four top racing Grand National Division’s West
series, all with open tire rules: and Busch North series.
Formula One, NASCAR Cup,
NASCAR Xfinity and NHRA drag Production of bias-ply tires for
racing’s top classes. sports, sprints and drag racers
returned to the Akron Innovation
The 1,000th Goodyear NASCAR Center Manufacturing Plant from
Cup victory was reached in April
by Jeff Gordon at Bristol.
Goodyear’s Santiago, Chile,
plant. 2010 Became the “Official
Tire” of the World of Outlaws
In competition with Bridgestone Grand-Am’s new Daytona series.
on the Indy Car circuit, Goodyear Prototype sports car class
2017 Announced new
2012
won 15 of 17 races, including the competed solely on Goodyear
Indianapolis 500. radials. Goodyear begins multiple year agreement with
testing and development for NASCAR.
1996 The Indy Racing League
was formed, splitting from CART.
Goodyear marked the Eagle tire
brand’s 25th anniversary, for
the Sixth generation NASCAR
Cup car, introduced for the
Introduced Option tire for
All-Star race at Charlotte Motor
both race and street tires. 2013 season.
Goodyear continued to battle Speedway.
Bridgestone in both series.
2018 Changed the sidewall
lettering on its wet weather
tires to white from the standard
yellow.
2019 Ended the season with
a running total of 1,873 victories
in the NASCAR Cup Series.
23
2020 R acing M edia G uide 232019 RACING
INSIDE FRONTCHAMPIONS
COVER
NASCAR
Monster Energy
NASCAR Cup Series Kyle Busch
Xfinity Series Tyler Reddick
Gander Outdoors
Truck Series Matt Crafton
NHRA
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series
Top Fuel Steve Torrence
Funny Car Robert Hight
Pro Stock Erica Enders
Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
Top Alcohol
Dragster Megan Meyer
Competition
Eliminator Frank Aragona Jr.
GOODYEAR’S KRAMER PRESENTS NASCAR CUP
CHAMPION BUSCH WITH GOLD CAR AWARD
Goodyear Chairman/CEO/President attended by Busch’s team owner
Rich Kramer attended NASCAR’s Joe Gibbs and other representatives
annual awards ceremonies in from Joe Gibbs Racing, many
Nashville in December and presented NASCAR officials, members of the
2019 Monster Energy NASCAR NASCAR media corps and Goodyear
Cup Series champion Kyle Busch Racing staff. SPORTS CAR
with the prestigious Goodyear Gold Sports Car Club of America
Car award. The Goodyear Gold Car award is 2019 Run-Offs
an exact 1/12-scale replica of the
GT1 Ernie Francis Jr.
Along with Kramer and Busch, NASCAR Cup champion’s car and has
Goodyear’s Gold Car reception was been presented annually since 1985. P1 Todd Slusher
GT Lite Peter Shadowen
Formula Car Challenge
Formula Mazda Bill Weaver
Pro Formula Mazda John Purcell
Formula S Jason Pettit
24 2020 R acing M edia G uidePHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS NASCAR photography by Getty Images, courtesy of NASCAR Front Cover Sean Gardner Page 16 Brian Lawdermilk Page 2 Jared C. Tilton Page 23 (lower) Sean Gardner Page 8 Jeff Curry Inside Back Cover (above & Page 9 Jonathan Ferrey right lower) Brian Lawdermilk Page 10 Jared C. Tilton Inside Back Cover (right center) Pages 11-12 Michael Reaves Jared C. Tilton Page 13 (left) Jared C. Tilton Page 13 (right) Matt Sullivan Pages 1, 4-7, 22-23 Photography by Goodyear staff Page 24 NASCAR gold car photography by CIA Stock Photography Drag racing photography courtesy of National Hot Rod Association Formula Car Challenge photography courtesy of Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear Sports Car Club of America photography courtesy of ESCP (Exclusive Sports Car Photo) Additional sports car photography courtesy of Ray Evernham Enterprises
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER
COMPANY CORPORATE OVERVIEW
Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies.
It employs about 64,000 people and manufactures its
products in 47 facilities in 21 countries around the
world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and
Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-
the-art products and services that set the technology
and performance standard for the industry. For more
information about Goodyear and its products, go to
www.goodyear.com/corporate.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, 200 Innovation Way, Akron, OH 44316
Produced by Goodyear Americas Communications Department, Akron, Ohio February 2020
26 2020 R acing M edia G uideYou can also read
