Three years after the farcical US grand prix of 2005, history almost repeated when the NASCAR world gathered at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the weekend.
Unlike the Michelin withdrawal and subsequent six-car formula one fiasco, however, the premier class of American stock car racing still managed to put on a show at the former grand prix venue.
But the crowd was less than amused that Goodyear’s tyre problems resulted in officials ordering mandatory ‘competition yellows’ – caution periods – every 10 to 12 laps.
Goodyear’s problem was similar to Michelin’s in 2005; the tyres were simply no match for the unique diamond-cut grooves in the Indianapolis tarmac.
But in 2005, it was the construction of the Michelin tyre that was failing because of the demands of the banked corner, while NASCAR competitors were simply wearing through to the canvas in a handful of laps.
Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya competed in both events, and was one of the victims of a failed tyre at Indianapolis on Sunday.
