With the start of a new racing season there are changes that will go with it and the topic of many conversations is the new tire produced by Goodyear that will be used by the All Star Circuit of Champions as well as the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series this year. Both series will require use of the Goodyear tire in the rear wheel positions.

Joey Saldana, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series winningest driver in 2009, Danny "The Dude" Lasoski and Jason Meyers commented recently on the tire rule and what role it could play in their efforts to capture the 2010 championship title.

“I think some people think it's going to be a big deal,” said Saldana, driver of the Kasey Kahne Racing #9. “It's no different than it was eight years ago when Hoosier came in. You'll just have to figure out what your race car needs. Obviously it's a different tire, so you'll have to do some different things than you did last year to get your car to do what it did last year. I'm looking forward to the challenge. Goodyear makes a good tire and it's the same for everybody. Everyone has the same tire and has to work to figure out what will make their car go fast.”

“They did their homework and we tested them last year and you could tell a little bit of difference, but not a ton,” Danny Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion, said. “I don't think it will be that big of a transition.”

Jason Meyers, who finished second in the 2009 championship battle by a slim 19 points, disagrees.

“We've taken a lot of steps this winter to be ready for it, but I think it will be quite a bit different,” said Meyers. “I hope that we have prepared enough. I think it will be a real big difference and change a lot of things, from the way you set your car up to the way you build your wings and even the way you build your cars for that matter. It's a change they have made and we'll adjust and embrace it and we'll have to work hard to make sure our cars are as good as they have been in the past.”

Cars and drivers using Goodyear tires have claimed 19 of the 32 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championship titles, more than any other manufacturer in the history of the series.

Hardcore race fans can look forward to all of the 2010 action to get started at the Volusia Speedway Park in Florida on February 5. Call the speedway ticket office at 386-985-4402 for more information.

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