Before NASCAR became synonymous with controversies, one of its earliest and most heated debates revolved around the infamous tire wars of the late 1980s. This fierce competition saw Goodyear, NASCAR’s long-standing tire partner, go head-to-head with Hoosier, a determined newcomer founded by stock car racing veterans Robert and Joyce Newton. While Goodyear was celebrated for its precision and reliability, Hoosier quickly gained attention for its bold approach and deep racing roots.
Did NASCAR pull unfavorable tricks on Bodine after his Hoosier choice?
Today, the only choice that NASCAR drivers have is none other than Goodyear. Good or bad, one has to simply accept what is in store and drive with it. But not long ago, a brand named Hoosier had stirred up this undisputed leader from within and had almost claimed the throne. For any driver to have a smooth run on the track and minimize pit stops, the quality of the rubber in the tires plays a pivotal role. Things started to go topsy turvy for Goodyear as Morgan Shepherd won at the Daytona 1988 which put an end to Goodyear’s prolonged winning streak. Neil Bonnet showcased a similar feat where he won with only 9 tire changes – a feat worth remembering!
Soon, the battle between the two manufacturers had become potent and they were in constant competition to make the superior tires. Drivers would test each of the tires for a week and then side with the one that they would find more favorable. However, this soon came to an end after Bonnet met with a fatal accident during his practice session and did not survive. He was sporting Hoosier tires during this session. In the week following, another accident occurred as Rodney Orr got killed in a similar fashion after he met with a horrendous crash during his practice session for the Daytona 500. The uncanny common link to the Hoosier tires contributed to them instantly withdrawing and transferring a competitive edge to Goodyear.
As Bodine gets prepared for a Q&A session with his fans, Dale Earnhardt Jr remarked, “Y’all ask him if he thinks Goodyear really conspired against him after his stint with Hoosier. Wild if true”. This has sparked curiosity among fans again who want to get to the brim of the Goodyear Vs Hoosier controversy. Geoff Bodine, a staunch supporter of Hoosier during its tumultuous rivalry with Goodyear, had always been at the center of such speculation. Despite racking up 12 pole positions in 1994, Hoosier’s final year, the brand couldn’t sustain the financial strain of supplying 1,200 tires, nor recover from the tragic deaths of two drivers during practice sessions.
