Michigan: Goodyear Racing preview

Goodyear Tire Notes NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Race No. 15 Sirius Satellite Radio 400 Michigan International Speedway (2-mile oval) Brooklyn, Mich. Fast Facts for June 18-20, 2004 Tire: Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials Number of Tires Required: ...

Goodyear Tire Notes

NASCAR Nextel Cup Series
Race No. 15
Sirius Satellite Radio 400 Michigan International Speedway (2-mile oval)
Brooklyn, Mich.

Fast Facts for June 18-20, 2004

Tire: Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials

Number of Tires Required: Left - 1,200; Right - 1,200

Tire Codes: Left - D-6610; Right - D-6812

Tire Circumference: Left - 87.4 in.; Right - 88.6 in.

Technical Inspection Inflation:
Left Front - 30 psi; Left Rear - 30 psi;
Right Front - 48 psi; Right Rear - 45 psi

Minimum Recommended Inflation:
Left Front - 24 psi; Left Rear - 24 psi;
Right Front - 44 psi; Right Rear - 41 psi

Estimated Pit Window: Every 48-52 laps, based on fuel mileage.

Notes: This is the first time Goodyear has brought this particular combination of left- and right-side tires to Michigan . . . the previous combination had been run at the track since June 2001 . . . these same tire codes have also been run by Nextel Cup teams earlier this season at California, Charlotte and Dover . . . in addition to being run at these four tracks again in the second half of the 2004 season, Goodyear will also bring this combination to Chicagoland and Kansas . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Michigan . . . the air pressure in the inner liners must be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.

Goodyear Quote -- Mark Keto, Lead Engineer, Stock Car Tire Development: "Comparing what Goodyear has brought to Michigan in the past, this year's right-side compound is only slightly softer than in 2003, while the left-side compound is significantly softer. The overall construction is also softer, continuing on what we've done with the entire 2004 tire lineup. We have traditionally seen two-tire stops at Michigan, based on many of the races coming down to fuel mileage. Even though our compounds are softer this year, we can still expect to see some teams employ a two-tire strategy to gain track position."