NASCAR plans tyre testing changes

Speaking to reporters during a teleconference, NASCAR's Robin Pemberton apologised to fans for the disrupted race due to the unexpected tyre wear that forced regular caution periods during the 400-mile race.

"I can't say enough how sorry we are and it's our responsibility," said Pemberton. "We're moving forward with a plan so we don't go through this again."

"I think it deserves to be said that the race didn't come off like we had hoped. The fans didn't get what they exactly wanted and we'll do everything in our power so it won't happen again, I can tell you that much. We're going to put a lot of effort towards it."

Pemberton believes they should start up a testing team together with Goodyear, bringing together some of the most experienced drivers and best teams to get the correct tyre selection ahead of every event.

"That's been done in the past, a Goodyear tyre test team," Pemberton said. "But one of the things that we have learned, is that we need to test the current cars with the current engines, and you need to test with the best drivers you can.

"Having substitute drivers has been kicked around, but I think the examples are Darlington where we had Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle, and Ryan Newman there to conduct a test. They did a great job, we got good information, and came out of Darlington with a great tyre."

Pemberton also said the teams had the opportunity to choose where they wanted to hold open test sessions this year, but Indianapolis was not among their priorities. He expects NASCAR to conduct more tests together with Goodyear at almost every track next season.

"We look at giving the teams more of an opportunity to test at places that they feel they need the most help," Pemberton added. "So you won't see the big test that we've had in the last two or three years that we conduct and manage. It will be more of a team-specific outing with the proper tyres from Goodyear.

"I can almost guarantee that almost every track next year will have some sort of activity with a private test leading up to the race at some point."

NASCAR is currently studying changes to their testing policy for next season, featuring more freedom for teams to choose how much and where they test.