Goodyear gets NASCAR drivers' blessing

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - After almost a year of research, NASCAR drivers believe Goodyear has found a tire to run in this year's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Four-time Brickyard 400 winner, Jeff Gordon, for one, guarantees the tire problems have been solved.

"I ran this tire as hard as I possibly could, I put numerous laps in. It's a dead issue," said Gordon.

NASCAR and Goodyear want redemption after last year's Brickyard 400. The race was filled with competition cautions because the tires couldn't hold up.

"There hasn't been a day that we haven't talked about the Brickyard, the race, our feeling about it," said Greg Stucker, Director of Goodyear Racing Sales.

Over the last 11 months, Goodyear has done seven tests and 30 drivers have taken part and they are confident that tire issues will not come up at this year's race.

Kasey Kahne has taken part in every tire test but only recently did he feel Goodyear found a solution.

"Until two weeks we didn't have a tire to race this race and put on another great show at the Brickyard 400," said Kahne. "Track is good, tire is good. We are ready, as far as I'm concerned, I think it's ready to race."

The tires that will be used this year will be made just for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"It doesn't mean that this tire won't be used at other racetracks, but it was developed solely for this racetrack in mind," said Stucker.

Regardless of the tire issue, the fans are just looking for a product they can enjoy.