Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 25, 1994 TAG: 9404240216
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Mehl is no fan of the tire war his company has been forced to fight with the upstart Hoosier Tire Co. He knows it makes the racers nervous and grumpy. It forces his company to take more chances. And if Hoosier wins a Winston Cup race this year (which hasn't happened yet), Mehl faces the embarrassment of having his Goliath of a company lose to the David of tire makers.
On the other hand, Mehl couldn't possibly scrape up enough money in his budget to buy the huge volume of publicity both Goodyear and Hoosier reap for free week after week in NASCAR's biggest series.
"I know, it's the story every week with qualifying, he said Saturday in the pits. "Before this year, usually the only time we got noticed is when something goes wrong with our tire - when somebody loses a race because a tire equalizes," he said.
But whether one likes it, doesn't like it or has mixed feelings, tires again will be in the spotlight in today's race, which starts at noon.
No one dislikes the war more than Mark Martin, but he told Ford's Wayne Estes: "The tires could be a factor here. It looks like we'll have some competition. One brand might be better on long runs than the other. That makes a big issue. Goodyear has a great tire, but [Geoff] Bodine is running real well."
Only four of the 36 drivers in today's field will be using Hoosiers: Bodine, Greg Sacks, Ward Burton and Jeff Burton. And Bodine, who has four Winston Cup victories at Martinsville, is obviously Hoosier's most experienced, capable competitor.
Bodine told Estes that gives him a certain advantage.
"We've had one fear: that we'd do all the development for Hoosier, and then when they are an advantage, other guys will put 'em on and run good," Bodine said. "Then we'll have more competition. Right now, our competition among Hoosier cars is pretty limited.
"Bob Newton [Hoosier's president] wants to sell tires, but I'd like to be the Lone Ranger on them," he said. "Tires could work to our advantage this weekend. We're pretty good, I think. We've run 25 or 30 laps in a row, and we're still" posting good lap times.
Darrell Waltrip, one of Hoosier's most prominent drivers, went back to the Goodyear fold Friday.
Waltrip's defection has prompted talk of Hoosier's imminent demise in the series, but the talk is premature. Bodine says he is still solidly committed to the Lakeville, Ind., company.
And after parting ways with Waltrip, Newton said it didn't change his plans at all and he'd be plenty happy if he could find one top-notch driver to replace him.
On Saturday, Newt on was working toward that end.
Minutes after Harry Gant failed to qualify for the race, Newton arrived at Gant's hauler, wearing his distinctive purple Hoosier jacket and hat. He disappeared into the hauler lounge for a chat with the veteran driver, who has criticized Goodyear tires while still sticking with them every race so far this year.
There have been rumors that Gant and Skoal teammate Rick Mast might switch to Hoosiers, but both drivers have said they will continue to use whichever tire was faster each week.
A few minutes later, Newton reappeared.
"Make a sale?" he was asked.
Newton just laughed.
Said Gant: "We were just talking."
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB