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Tire war
In motorsports, a tire war occurs when more than one manufacturer provides tires for a motorsports series. Historically, tire wars have occurred in many high-level series, such as Formula One, NASCAR, Super GT, and MotoGP.
Tire wars are a controversial practice: on the one hand, they promote technical innovation, forcing tire manufacturers to "push the limits" of their tire manufacture. On the other hand, when all event competitors plan to stretch their tires' performance envelope, the event risks widespread tire failures that can reduce driver safety; such a scenario occurred at the 2005 United States Grand Prix.
When NASCAR was founded in 1948, it sourced tires solely from Firestone. In 1954, Goodyear entered the sport. For the next two decades, both tire manufacturers would claim race victories and speed records until Firestone left NASCAR in 1974. In the late 1960s, the deaths of Jimmy Pardue and Billy Wade spurred both Goodyear and Firestone to manufacture the "Inner Liner Safety Spare," also known to NASCAR as "Lifeguard": a second internal envelope to slow a failed tire's deflation and allow drivers to return to the pit. Conversely, controversy erupted at Talladega Superspeedway's 1969 debut race, when drivers experienced tire failures during practice, Firestone withdrew from the race, and Richard Petty led a driver walkout over safety concerns.
In 1978, the McCreary Tire & Rubber Company entered NASCAR. Although J. D. McDuffie won the pole at Dover with McCreary tires, the company never won a race and quickly exited the sport. This left Goodyear as the sole NASCAR tire supplier until Hoosier entered the Busch Grand National Series in 1987.
In 1986, Goodyear faced a hostile takeover by Sir James Goldsmith. NASCAR feared that the new management might threaten the manufacturer's racing program, and invited Hoosier as a backup plan.
In 1988, Hoosier entered the Winston Cup Series. Hoosier gained an early advantage in the season's second race, at Richmond, where Morgan Shepherd took the pole and Neil Bonnett won the race using Hoosiers. Two weeks later, Bonnett won again at Rockingham.
During the season, NASCAR allowed teams to switch between Goodyear and Hoosier tires. Teams learned that Hoosiers were softer and faster, while Goodyears were more durable and safer. To eliminate Hoosier's competitive advantage, Goodyear began developing a faster tire.
The tire war injured several drivers who crashed following tire failures, most notably during the 1988 Coca-Cola 600. Initial practice suggested that Goodyear's compound was too soft for the track. As a result, all drivers except Dave Marcis switched to Hoosiers over safety concerns, and Goodyear withdrew their tires. Those decisions proved disastrous in the race, when Hoosier tire failures caused crashes that injured Bonnett, Rick Wilson, and Harry Gant. With almost no Goodyear competition, Hoosier's Darrell Waltrip won the race. Despite this setback, Hoosier continued to win; Bill Elliott drove the tires to victory lane at the 1988 Firecracker 400 at Daytona.
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Tire war
In motorsports, a tire war occurs when more than one manufacturer provides tires for a motorsports series. Historically, tire wars have occurred in many high-level series, such as Formula One, NASCAR, Super GT, and MotoGP.
Tire wars are a controversial practice: on the one hand, they promote technical innovation, forcing tire manufacturers to "push the limits" of their tire manufacture. On the other hand, when all event competitors plan to stretch their tires' performance envelope, the event risks widespread tire failures that can reduce driver safety; such a scenario occurred at the 2005 United States Grand Prix.
When NASCAR was founded in 1948, it sourced tires solely from Firestone. In 1954, Goodyear entered the sport. For the next two decades, both tire manufacturers would claim race victories and speed records until Firestone left NASCAR in 1974. In the late 1960s, the deaths of Jimmy Pardue and Billy Wade spurred both Goodyear and Firestone to manufacture the "Inner Liner Safety Spare," also known to NASCAR as "Lifeguard": a second internal envelope to slow a failed tire's deflation and allow drivers to return to the pit. Conversely, controversy erupted at Talladega Superspeedway's 1969 debut race, when drivers experienced tire failures during practice, Firestone withdrew from the race, and Richard Petty led a driver walkout over safety concerns.
In 1978, the McCreary Tire & Rubber Company entered NASCAR. Although J. D. McDuffie won the pole at Dover with McCreary tires, the company never won a race and quickly exited the sport. This left Goodyear as the sole NASCAR tire supplier until Hoosier entered the Busch Grand National Series in 1987.
In 1986, Goodyear faced a hostile takeover by Sir James Goldsmith. NASCAR feared that the new management might threaten the manufacturer's racing program, and invited Hoosier as a backup plan.
In 1988, Hoosier entered the Winston Cup Series. Hoosier gained an early advantage in the season's second race, at Richmond, where Morgan Shepherd took the pole and Neil Bonnett won the race using Hoosiers. Two weeks later, Bonnett won again at Rockingham.
During the season, NASCAR allowed teams to switch between Goodyear and Hoosier tires. Teams learned that Hoosiers were softer and faster, while Goodyears were more durable and safer. To eliminate Hoosier's competitive advantage, Goodyear began developing a faster tire.
The tire war injured several drivers who crashed following tire failures, most notably during the 1988 Coca-Cola 600. Initial practice suggested that Goodyear's compound was too soft for the track. As a result, all drivers except Dave Marcis switched to Hoosiers over safety concerns, and Goodyear withdrew their tires. Those decisions proved disastrous in the race, when Hoosier tire failures caused crashes that injured Bonnett, Rick Wilson, and Harry Gant. With almost no Goodyear competition, Hoosier's Darrell Waltrip won the race. Despite this setback, Hoosier continued to win; Bill Elliott drove the tires to victory lane at the 1988 Firecracker 400 at Daytona.