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16th
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After Greg Biffle and 13 other drivers topped 200mph at the newly repaved Michigan International Speedway; it was announced that Goodyear will make a tire change to help fight blistering.
Biffle, driving a Sprint Cup Ford Fusion turned an eye-popping practice lap of 204.708 mph, followed by the Ford of Marcos Ambrose at 203.551 mph and Kevin Harvick in a Chevrolet at 202.954 mph.
"To be perfectly honest with you I wish I could tell you that I was holding my breath and on edge but it must be a lot of adrenaline because I don't remember," said Biffle.
While the drivers felt comfortable at speeds usually reserved for the high banked Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Super Speedway there were many complaints about tire blistering due to the high grip level.
Late on Friday evening NASCAR issued a statement: Goodyear will bring a tougher left side tire from Charlotte that the teams will use in Sunday's event.
The teams will qualify Saturday as scheduled at 1:10 pm ET with the tires previously allotted by Goodyear.
Following the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, the teams will be given a 75-minute practice session with the new left side tires that will start at approximately 6 pm.
"With the new repave here at Michigan, coupled with the high temperatures we're seeing this weekend, we feel this change will help us put on the best race possible on Sunday," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of Competition.
Goodyear's director of Race Tires, Greg Stucker, said the original thought was to allow drivers to scuff in all sets of allotted tires, but, when that didn't address the blistering situation "the safer option", was to go with a new compound.
Biffle, driving a Sprint Cup Ford Fusion turned an eye-popping practice lap of 204.708 mph, followed by the Ford of Marcos Ambrose at 203.551 mph and Kevin Harvick in a Chevrolet at 202.954 mph.
"To be perfectly honest with you I wish I could tell you that I was holding my breath and on edge but it must be a lot of adrenaline because I don't remember," said Biffle.
While the drivers felt comfortable at speeds usually reserved for the high banked Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Super Speedway there were many complaints about tire blistering due to the high grip level.
Late on Friday evening NASCAR issued a statement: Goodyear will bring a tougher left side tire from Charlotte that the teams will use in Sunday's event.
The teams will qualify Saturday as scheduled at 1:10 pm ET with the tires previously allotted by Goodyear.
Following the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, the teams will be given a 75-minute practice session with the new left side tires that will start at approximately 6 pm.
"With the new repave here at Michigan, coupled with the high temperatures we're seeing this weekend, we feel this change will help us put on the best race possible on Sunday," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of Competition.
Goodyear's director of Race Tires, Greg Stucker, said the original thought was to allow drivers to scuff in all sets of allotted tires, but, when that didn't address the blistering situation "the safer option", was to go with a new compound.