By Lee Elder
ROSSBURG, Ohio (July 18, 2011) — Tyler Walker took his first career victory in World of Outlaws Sprint Car competition when he raced by Sammy Swindell on the final straightaway of the last lap to win the King’s Royal at Eldora Speedway.
Walker enjoyed the traditional crowning ceremony for the winner of the rich, 40-lap race around Eldora’s famed high-banked half mile oval.
Goodyear is the Official Tire Company for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and is the exclusive supplier of rear tires for the WoO competitors. Goodyear also supplies tires for the front wheel positions. Goodyear supplies an exhaustive combination of tread compounds, constructions and sizes to each WoO event that resulted in a line of 17 different tire codes on site for the weekend at Eldora. Goodyear supplied 625 tires for the two-race event.
Swindell was within sight of the checkered flag when his car suddenly slowed.
“We saw a lot of tire wear tonight,” said Goodyear tire engineer Dan Curtis. “The track was dry and it took rubber early in the feature.”
Goodyear supplies four tread compounds, several sizes and different constructions for the rear tire positions at each WoO race.
Walker said he noticed that the track surface was becoming abrasive and adjusted his driving style accordingly.
“I’ve lost so many in the last turn,” the winner said. “I was giving it about half throttle there at the end because I knew the tires (were wearing).”
Swindell finished second, followed by Paul McMahan, Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet.
McMahan said, “I could see the tires were wearing pretty good, so I tried to ease off and maintain as best I could.”
The King’s Royal was the second of two nights of racing at Eldora. Tim Shaffer won the weekend’s first race, the 30-lap Knight Before the King’s Royal presented by Goodyear, in a classic give-and-take race with Jason Meyers. Shaffer started on the pole but Meyers led the first 15 laps. Shaffer led the next six laps before Meyers slipped by to lead lap 22, but Shaffer got back in front for good on the 23rd circuit.
“Jason races you hard but clean,” Shaffer told the huge crowd during Friday’s post-race interview. “You can race against him all night long.”
More information about Goodyear Racing is available at www.racegoodyear.com. More information about the WoO is available at www.worldofoutlaws.com.