TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2004) – Jimmy Mars won a frantic late-race battle with Donnie Moran to capture the Northern Xtreme DirtCar Series season opener at East Bay Raceway Park and so opened the Goodyear era in late model dirt car racing.

Moran, who started fourth in the 40-lap feature on the fast 1/3-mile dirt oval, stalked Mars over the final five laps but came up less than a foot short at the finish. The pair brought the near capacity crowd to its feet at the end.

Monday’s race marked Goodyear’s first as the exclusive tire supplier for Xtreme.

“The tires performed flawlessly,” said Justin Fantozzi, Goodyear’s sales and marketing manager for late model dirt. “It was a good, close race and we are very happy with our first night with the Xtreme organization.

The drivers were happy, too.

“From the drop of the green flag, the tires were good,” said Moran. “They fired on every restart, they didn’t blister, and they were consistent. What more can you ask from a tire?” Mars agreed and said, “I think the tires are fine.” During the main event, the drivers were able to use every groove East Bay has and frequently charged through the corners three abreast. It was the exciting brand of racing the series is noted for. Goodyear’s variety of tires allowed the teams to use a number of different tire strategies.
“The teams used multiple combinations of tires throughout the night,” said Fantozzi. “All comments from the drivers were positive.” The same track hosts the Stacker2 Xtreme DirtCar Series season opener Tuesday night.



Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on the Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!