In its 68th year of collaborating with NASCAR, Goodyear has come under intense scrutiny. The debate over Goodyear’s tire quality and its association with NASCAR ignited prominently in 2009, with Tony Stewart leading the charge. In fact, even to date, since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022, the tires provided by Goodyear have struggled to meet the advanced demands of the new vehicle, leading to numerous tire failures throughout the 2022 season. It resulted in a substantial backlash from drivers, with the Ohio-based tire manufacturer bearing the brunt of their frustrations.

The criticisms did not cease in 2023 either, as drivers continued to express their concerns about the tires being unreliable during the regular season. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr recently stepped forward to offer a different perspective, defending both Goodyear and NASCAR regarding the quality of the tires they supply. He also took the opportunity to shed light on the business practices of the company, providing a more balanced view of the situation.

Dale Earnhardt Jr steps up in defense of Goodyear

Flashback to 2009 at the Daytona International Speedway, ahead of the eagerly anticipated Daytona 500, a practice session took a dramatic turn when Stewart, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, witnessed both of his cars getting damaged. It was an unfortunate series of events as his teammate Ryan Newman experienced a Goodyear tire blowout, causing him to spin out and collide with Stewart, resulting in both cars crashing in turn 2.

Having previously criticized Goodyear at the Atlanta and Indianapolis races, Stewart’s frustration was palpable. “It’s just a Goodyear right-rear tire. So it’s the same thing everybody has been talking about all week. It’s the same stuff that we always talk about every year—the failures that Goodyear has,” he said.

However, according to Dale Jr, the narrative has evolved. He believes Goodyear’s new direction is to equip next-gen cars with resilient tires designed for endurance. Interestingly, Dale Jr. emphasized that Goodyear isn’t in the NASCAR business for profits. His rationale?

“I know how hardheaded they are, and I know how hardheaded Goodyear is, and how hesitant they are to get outside of their box, their comfort zone. So Goodyear got burned a few times, man. Big time. Right? They’re not in NASCAR to make money. They’re not making money in NASCAR. They break events. They build those tires. We race the sh*t out of them, and it all pays for itself. They’re making money during the week selling tires to all of us customers on the street. And if all their racing tires are falling apart on the racetrack, they don’t sell many tires on the street. So they cannot have problems on Sunday. Can’t have them. That’s right. Right. And they did.”

Moreover, Dale elaborated on Goodyear’s transition from producing softer tires to crafting durable ones designed for extended wear. This strategy, he mentioned, doesn’t align with F1’s requirements, explaining Goodyear’s absence from the F1 scene.

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Dale dives deep into Goodyear’s strategic pivot from soft to sturdy tires

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In a candid discussion, Dale Earnhardt Jr provided an inside glimpse into the dynamic between NASCAR and Goodyear. Recalling a pivotal juncture, he reminisced about the infamous Indy incident where tires wore out within a mere 10 laps, leading to catastrophic tire blowouts and significant car damage. That was Goodyear’s turning point. Determined to leave behind their legacy of softer tires, they set their sights on crafting a tire impervious to failure.

But what about Goodyear’s absence from the F1 scene? Dale Jr. shared an intriguing insight: “One of the manufacturers of tires was asked why they weren’t in F1. And they said we’re not in F1, because F1 would need us to build a tire that would wear out. And that’s not what we’re in the business of doing. We’re in the business of making tires that last thousands and thousands of miles. And so it goes against our idea of why we make a tire. 

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