War Of Words As Brad Keselowski Claims Kyle Larson Made A Derogatory Statement Patterning…
NASCAR’s innovative stints have drawn flak from fans and drivers alike. The most prominent recent example is the Next-Gen car, a 2022 invention.
Although meant to enhance passing on tracks, it has turned out to do the opposite due to aerodynamic weaknesses. However, this year’s Bristol race was a blip on the radar.
Goodyear received waves of applause for offering high-wear tires that worked wonders on the short track. In an attempt to replicate that success, the company tried again at North Wilkesboro Speedway, albeit without much success.
Now the tire brand’s focus is on Iowa, but veterans like Kyle Larson are not too sure about it.
Hosting the first-ever Cup race in its 18-year-old history, Iowa Speedway is gearing up for a grand event. The 7/8 mile oval is known as ‘the fastest short track on the planet’, and holds sweet memories for drivers in Xfinity and Craftsman Truck races. Back in a 2019 tire test, Cole Custer said about Iowa:
“I love the surface here, it’s so bumpy and so wore out, it makes for good racing.” Recently drivers including Kyle Larson criticized NASCAR for repaving the track, but only partially.
Goodyear also held a tire test a few days ago. Prominent Cup drivers like Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Brad Keselowski were roped in.
While still nursing his wounds from his dashed Double plan, Larson chose to return to a stock car early. Plus he even forewent a popular late-model race at Grandview Speedway for the tire test ahead of the Iowa Corn 350.
But the tire results evidently drooped his spirits further. In a recent Frontstretch interview, Kyle Larson explained that the tires lacked grip. “The test was difficult with just three cars…really a brand new surface, so gosh, it took probably four hours or so until we could actually like get some grip and make some decent laps. But yeah, I think with 30 or whatever cars, the groove should widen out from what it was…It was just 4 feet wide, you know, wherever you can put your right sides in…It does have some progressive banking, so it should hopefully be a little bit better.”