Gordon calls for better tyres

Following last year's spate of tyre problems at the Charlotte track, Goodyear brought a considerably harder compound to this Coca-Cola 600. In addition to help solve the problems, the track was resurfaced and NASCAR mandated smaller fuel tanks so teams would have to pit more during the race.

Gordon, whose own race ended when his front-right suspension apparently broke, praised the track's new surface but called on Goodyear to bring a better tyre to the Charlotte next time to improve the quality of the racing.

"We got back into the top 10 and I was just looking forward to that last pitstop and getting going," Gordon said. "I can't believe that this is the kind of tyre we have to race on.

"The track is great but the tyres were horrible, the worst tyre I think I've ever run on. I know Goodyear can do a better job than this. I got faith in them that they will. They can't grip the racetrack with a tyre like this. It's not necessary.

"We don't want to blow tyres but we definitely want to be able to race too. It's not a lot of fun out there running around with this type tyre but the race track is fantastic."