Riggs: Tire test at Lowe's helps answer problems thereBy JIM UTTER
ThatsRacin.com Writer
ArticleJUSTIN, Texas - As far as driver Scott Riggs is concerned, Wednesday's Goodyear test at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., went a long way in explaining the rash of tire problems in last month's Nextel Cup race there.
Riggs drove an Evernham Motorsports-prepared Dodge, spending several hours running one-lap qualifying runs and some race-trim practice. Goodyear placed wheel sensors on all four tires to help collect data.
"We were loading the tires a lot more than Goodyear anticipated and a lot more than many of the teams' anticipated," Riggs said. "It was a question of how many pounds of pressure were being put on the tires if you go through the corners faster. The right-front and left-front were the ones Goodyear were looking at the most."
Riggs said the there was a large increase in pressure, a lot more than the level the tires were tested at and more than before the track was smoothed this season by a diamond grinder.
"When a driver said this place had a lot of grip and the place is so fast, I think they were feeling how much more load there was on the tires and how fast we were going in the corners," Riggs said.
Last month's race at Charlotte was marred by an event-record 15 cautions, including 12 for accidents, and most were the result of blown tires. Five of the 10 Chase for the championship drivers had tire problems.