Las Vegas: Goodyear Racing preview

Outlaws Gear Up For Three-Day Visit To Las Vegas

AKRON, Ohio (Feb. 28, 2002) -- As the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series rolls into Las Vegas, Nev., for the three-day Silver City Shootout at the dirt track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, one thing is apparent.

The racers sporting Goodyear Eagle Dirt Track Specials will be a force to be reckoned with in 2002.

Donny Schatz, who started 12th and finished fourth at Perris Auto Speedway in the second race of the season, said, "Every time we needed to go forward and make a pass, we did. We were the only car able to do that tonight."

The hugely popular series for winged sprint cars is scheduled for 66 events over 106 nights across 22 states. Last year, cars with Goodyear tires won 21 races and most of those wins came in the second half of the season. Goodyear's rigorous off-season testing, combined with what was learned during the second half of 2001, is starting to pay dividends, according to driver Stevie Smith.

"Absolutely," said Smith. "There's a big improvement. Early last year we were getting beat. Now we're closer and we're going to have tracks where we're better. We're getting even temperatures all the way across the tire."

Driver Brian Paulus agreed, saying, "Already I see an improvement with the tires. But, the dedication of the Goodyear engineers is what I'm impressed with."

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