Tire manufacturer Goodyear conducted its first tire test with NASCAR's 2013 Sprint Cup car on Tuesday at Martinsville Speedway, and NASCAR used the test to continue developing an aerodynamic package for next season.
Four drivers - Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr. and Carl Edwards - drove the cars, which are designed to give each manufacturer more brand identity.
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| Carl Edwards takes the 2013 NASCAR Ford Fusion for a spin. (Photo: Martinsville Speedway) |
The test provided Goodyear with information on which to base their compounds for next season. Key in that effort is the removal of 100 pounds of weight from the next-generation vehicles, including 60 from a right side that in the current models is infamous for stressing tires on that part of the car.
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| Jimmie Johnson test drives his 2013 NASCAR Chevy SS. (Photo: Martinsville Speedway) |
Although the impact of that weight removal isn't felt as much on a short track, the hope is it pays greater dividends on a high-speed track like Michigan, where a resurfacing led to blistering that prompted Goodyear to make a tire change on the night before the race in June.
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| Richard Childress Racing participated in the 2013 Goodyear tire test at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo: Martinsville Speedway) |
Less weight on the right side may also allow teams to employ softer tires, which drivers hope will translate into better racing.
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| Martin Truex Jr. takes his 2013 NASCAR Toyota Camry around Martinsville Speedway. (Photo: Martinsville Speedway) |
