INDIANAPOLIS — Two-time Allstate 400 winner Tony Stewart said Wednesday he is confident Goodyear has solved the tire problems that plagued last year’s race at the Brickyard.
Stewart is among the drivers who have participated in Goodyear’s seven test sessions at the track since last year, when severe tire wear turned the race into a series of 10- to 12-lap sprints.
“I can promise you they put on a full-court press on making sure we don’t have the issues we had last year,” Stewart said during an appearance at the track with teammate Ryan Newman. “We were able to run almost 30 laps and were still not down to the cords on the tires, so I’m confident that with a full field there shouldn’t be any issues at all.
“Obviously I can’t guarantee that, but I can tell you that normally the test is a lot worse on tire wear than it is in the race,” he said. “I think they’ve come back with a combination that’s not only durable but also to where it should be better racing.”
The July 26 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be the first for Stewart as both driver and team owner. He said that gives him two shots to win, and either would be fine.
“It was a dream come true to win at Indianapolis and I’ve been blessed to win it twice,” said Stewart, a native of nearby Columbus, Ind. “But it would be even more special to win it as a team owner. If Ryan wins, I would have that same gratification.”
Stewart won the Brickyard in 2005 and 2007 for Joe Gibbs Racing and formed Stewart-Haas Racing after last season. With three wins in the last eight races, including the non-points NASCAR All-Star Challenge, he leads the Sprint Cup Series by almost 200 points over four-time Brickyard winner Jeff Gordon heading into Saturday’s race at Joliet, Ill.
Newman is seventh in the standings.
“We’re extremely excited with the progress of this race team,” Stewart said. “The success we’ve had has come quicker than any of us dreamed.”
Newman, who is from South Bend, Ind., said his relationship with Stewart is no different than it is with other teammates on race day. Off the track is a different story.
“Our friendship is definitely important, but we have to compete against each other,” Newman said.
“We’re working our way to kind of solidify ourselves to be in the chase,” he said of the end-of-the-season showdown for the series championship. “That’s our goal at this point of the season, to make sure that we can lock up that position.”
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