Prior to the Folds of Honor 500, Frontstretch spoke with Stu Grant, general manager of world-wide racing, from Goodyear. He updated the media on the investigation into the tires off of the rear of the No. 18 car of Kyle Busch from the Daytona 500. The tires were analyzed at Daytona International Speedway and then taken to Akron and further dissected by the forensic team at Goodyear’s headquarters.
The initial investigation at Daytona yielded no conclusive evidence of a cut in either of the rear tires. When the forensic team in Akron inspected the tires microscopically, they were still unable to find any evidence of a cut. Goodyear inspected video from the FOX broadcast and the right rear tire clearly showed it was fully inflated until the car slid down the banking and wore through the entire surface of tire. The broadcast video did not provide conclusive evidence on the left rear tire. As a result, Goodyear requested and received additional footage from NASCAR. In analyzing the NASCAR footage, the left rear tire was inflated until it was contacted by another car, which caused it to pull from the rim and fold over.
Goodyear shared their findings with the competition leaders at Joe Gibbs Racing. There has been no official response from the team.
What is it that Mike Neff doesn’t do? Mike announces several shows each year for the Good Guys Rod and Custom Association. He also pops up everywhere from PRN Pit Reporters and the Press Box with Alan Smothers to SIRIUS XM Radio. He has announced at tracks all over the Southeast, starting at Millbridge Speedway. He's also announced at East Lincoln Speedway, Concord Speedway, Tri-County Speedway, Caraway Speedway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.