With NASCAR’s testing ban any driver, any team will jump at the chance for an “official” test. This time Goodyear had five drivers for a two-day test at the 2.5 mile Daytona International Raceway.
“I think the Goodyear tires the last year or two have been pretty competitive,” David Ragan said after the first day of testing. “We haven’t had any issues with them. It’s just a deal where Goodyear tries to fine tune on their tires and combinations to make it right. I’m sure this won’t be the last (test) before the Daytona 500 in February.”
Rookie Joey Logano and Australia’s Marcos Ambrose tested in May, but came back for more.
“We tried a lot of different tires,” Logano said. “I think we had about five or six different ones that we put on, just trying different things that Goodyear has come up with. We had some good ones and some that weren’t as good. You pick what you want and I’m sure they’ll change a few things. I know they are going to come back here again and do some drafting.”
“We’re doing 15-lap minimum runs and we’re putting a lot of different compounds and constructions on, trying to find a good balance,” Ambrose said. “We started from the tire they ran in 2008 and we’re running through 2009 and new development tires just to get some good baselines and figure out the best construction and compound for the race here.”
Marcos Ambrose was just happy for the extra mileage “I’ll put my hand up to try to help out,” Ambrose said. “Every lap I get gives me an advantage. I’m behind Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson by about eight seasons, nine seasons, maybe more. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. Any chance to get in one of these cars helps me.”
Drivers participating included:
· David Ragan in the No. 6 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing
· Marcos Ambrose in the No. 47 JTG-Daugherty Racing Toyota
· Clint Bowyer in the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing
· Joey Logano in the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing
· Brad Keselowski in the No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge.
“I think the Goodyear tires the last year or two have been pretty competitive,” David Ragan said after the first day of testing. “We haven’t had any issues with them. It’s just a deal where Goodyear tries to fine tune on their tires and combinations to make it right. I’m sure this won’t be the last (test) before the Daytona 500 in February.”
Rookie Joey Logano and Australia’s Marcos Ambrose tested in May, but came back for more.
“We tried a lot of different tires,” Logano said. “I think we had about five or six different ones that we put on, just trying different things that Goodyear has come up with. We had some good ones and some that weren’t as good. You pick what you want and I’m sure they’ll change a few things. I know they are going to come back here again and do some drafting.”
“We’re doing 15-lap minimum runs and we’re putting a lot of different compounds and constructions on, trying to find a good balance,” Ambrose said. “We started from the tire they ran in 2008 and we’re running through 2009 and new development tires just to get some good baselines and figure out the best construction and compound for the race here.”
Marcos Ambrose was just happy for the extra mileage “I’ll put my hand up to try to help out,” Ambrose said. “Every lap I get gives me an advantage. I’m behind Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson by about eight seasons, nine seasons, maybe more. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. Any chance to get in one of these cars helps me.”
Drivers participating included:
· David Ragan in the No. 6 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing
· Marcos Ambrose in the No. 47 JTG-Daugherty Racing Toyota
· Clint Bowyer in the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing
· Joey Logano in the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing
· Brad Keselowski in the No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge.