By David Rogers. NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — With the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race weekend just two months away (May 19) and having had the North Wilkesboro track recently repaved, NASCAR, Speedway Motorsports and North Wilkesboro got together with Goodyear for some good, old fashioned tire testing on March 12, 13, and 14.
The March 12 testing sessions focused on the Truck Series, while March 13 and 14 are focused on the Cup Series.
It was a picture perfect day for racing, as well as for tire testing on March 13. Temperatures hovered in the high 70s, the skies were clear, and only the slightest breeze kept the American flag in the middle of the mostly empty track infield from dropping against the flag pole, motionless.
Scott Cooper, Senior Vice President for Communications at Charlotte-based Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which owns North Wilkesboro Speedway, explained to High Country Sports that a driver from each of the three major car manufacturers were invited to participate, with members of their support teams. The mission is to allow Goodyear to select the perfect tire for the new pavement, to be supplied to the Cup teams who will compete in the All-Star event.
For the March 13 testing, three of NASCAR’s young stars represented the manufacturers: Joey Logano (Penske Racing, Ford), William Byron (Hendrick, Chevrolet) and Ty Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota).
The grip of the tire on the race track and how it performs during acceleration and braking are among the characteristics being evaluated by the race teams and Goodyear.
All three drivers offered high praise for the new paving vs. what they experienced a year ago. Logano said there were still some idiosyncrasies in turn No. 1 and that a bump in turn No. 4 is still there, noting that “… they give the race track character.”
The NASCAR All-Star Race is slated for May 19 at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
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