—Goodyear representatives Todd Rogers and Bill Bedont said the current tire technology can handle the performance gains.
“We also have a couple variations of this tire on the shelf that we feel comfortable rolling out if we needed to,” he said. “But we’re comfortable with what we have right now. We’ve been running this tire since 2015.”Speed Milestones In Top Fuel300 mph – 301.70, Kenny Bernstein, 1992, Gainesville, Fla.330 mph – 330.23, Tony Schumacher, 1999, Chandler, Ariz.300 mph – 300.40, Jim Epler, 1993, Topeka330 mph – 330.15, Gary Scelzi, 2004, Joliet, Ill.
Rogers said, “We have no plans to change it, but we always want to be learning, because everything constantly changes. Whether it’s clutch disc or whatever these crew chiefs are doing, they’re pretty smart guys.”The question is at what point Goodyear would become concerned.“We are not worried about it,” Bedont said. “We have the technology to stay ahead of where they are. And we work very closely with the teams. We monitor every tire that comes down the track. We follow sequence numbers.
“You might see 340 this year when we get to Maple Grove and places like that. I’ve got confidence in Goodyear. I don’t see an issue there. We can’t go much faster,” Capps said. “They’ll do something to keep it down, I’m sure. I don’t have an issue with worrying about the tire.”NHRA National Dragster