Amid Major Backlash From Drivers, Chase Elliott’s Renegade Celebrates Its 125th Anniversary

Amid the NASCAR world’s roaring engines and screeching tires, one name has remained synonymous with racing for 125 years: Goodyear. The tire giant’s milestone anniversary was marked by the majestic flight of its iconic blimps over Akron, Ohio, Carson City, California, and a scenic journey from Lake City to Pompano Beach, Florida. Yet, beneath the celebratory hum, discontent simmers among the drivers, revealing tire trouble that refuses to deflate, and in the midst of it is Hendrick Motorsports Golden boy Chase Elliott.

NASCAR and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company share a connection etched over seven decades. Their partnership has endured, with Goodyear proudly serving as NASCAR’s sole official tire partner for 25 years. Despite the vocal dissatisfaction from fans, the marriage between the two entities renewed recently, prompting fans to question the reasons behind NASCAR’s loyalty to the tire brand.

Drivers Voice Concern Over Goodyear Tires and Racing Dynamics

Recently, a race at Watkins Glen International stirred more than just exhaust fumes. Denny Hamlin, piloting the #11 Toyota Camry, lost out to HMS star driver William Byron, triggering a surprising theory. Hamlin’s musings transcended the realm of tires, suggesting a more profound issue behind the challenges of overtaking the track. He pinpointed the unchanging braking markers, a sign that the tire’s grip remains constant throughout a race, leading to fewer mistakes and fewer opportunities for breathtaking passes.

“So our markers are our markers, are our markers. And they don’t change because the grip of the tire or whatever is the same through the whole run. And it seems like the grip is so consistent from lap one to lap 40 of a run. We don’t make mistakes because we’ve just, we’ve, we’ve got so many reps at it. We’re not blowing corners anymore. No one’s missing.” Hamlin stated in his podcast. 

For Chase Elliott, 2023 seemed poised to be a victorious year, yet the tracks have proven fickle. The 2020 Cup Series champion, part of Hendrick Motorsports, had demonstrated consistent performance, but his rendezvous with luck soured. Michigan’s promising prospects were dashed as Elliott’s #9 Chevrolet suffered a right rear tire failure, plummeting him from contention and leaving fans questioning who indeed held the blame for this racing misfortune.

WATCH THIS STORY: Chase Elliott’s Aggressive Mindset Hours Before the Highly Speculated Run Warns the Whole NASCAR Grid

The tale of bad luck for Goodyear does not end with just Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin, though. A veteran NASCAR driver has been criticizing the company for some time.

Unyielding Scrutiny From Competitor of Chase Elliott: The Persistent Challenge of Tire Failures 

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The racetrack can be relentless in echoing history. Almost mimicking Chase Elliott’s misadventure, Ryan Preece of Stewart-Haas Racing narrowly avoided calamity as his right rear Goodyear tire deflated, drawing stark parallels to the earlier incident. The tire debris on the track waved the caution flags in Michigan, and as the tire was changed in the pit, social media platforms buzzed with speculations and criticisms.

“For a long time, and I still feel like Goodyear is in a tough place, because they feel like if tires fail, then it could hurt their sales on Monday,” Chase Elliott had previously stated.

Looking at all this, a pattern emerged—tire failures have been causing havoc since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022. Numerous drivers, including Tony Stewart’s protege, found themselves dangerously close to disaster as Goodyear’s products faced scrutiny. The tire manufacturer attempted to pacify its NASCAR consumers by conducting tire tests at Richmond Raceway but failed to curb the tirades.

Chase Elliott’s struggles, Hamlin’s theories, and the collective tire-related grievances of the racing community continue to intertwine, painting a picture of an uncertain future.

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As the dust settled and tire controversies raged on, one question remains: Is Goodyear’s racing legacy hanging in the balance? With drivers’ dreams dashed and championships possibly decided by the capriciousness of tires, the sport finds itself at a crossroads.