"D2681" sounds like some code that factors into a high-tech thriller movie. But it's the designation of Goodyear's latest drag-racing tire, and Funny Car veteran Ron Capps said it's going to play a major role in this weekend's Summitracing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
 
In a statement released Wednesday, Goodyear said full conversion to the D2681 from the current D2550 edition is expected to begin at the following event, the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, at Madison, Ill., near St. Louis.
 
But Capps said, "We're not going to wait until St. Louis to run it."

"D2681" sounds like some code that factors into a high-tech thriller movie. But it's the designation of Goodyear's latest drag-racing tire, and Funny Car veteran Ron Capps said it's going to play a major role in this weekend's Summitracing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
 
In a statement released Wednesday, Goodyear said full conversion to the D2681 from the current D2550 edition is expected to begin at the following event, the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, at Madison, Ill., near St. Louis.
 
But Capps said, "We're not going to wait until St. Louis to run it."
 
Capps, driver of Don Schumacher's NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger, said he certainly isn't the only one who will be taking the opportunity.
 
"I think you're going to see a lot of teams start running the tire right away," Capps said.
 
"We know the tire will be quite a bit different, and you have to applaud Goodyear for staying on top of the advancement in technology," Capps said. "The biggest thing we'll face is having the crew chiefs adapt to this new tire. When a new tire comes out, more often than not, it's never a 'throw it on and continue down the road' situation. It's going to be quite a bit of change.
 
"Some teams will adapt quickly and some not," he said. "So, we'll see. We hope we can adapt pretty quickly to the tire."
 
Carolyn Ashbee, Goodyear's sales account manager for drag racing,  underscored Capps' explanation for introducing the new version.
 
"The cars and the conditions under which they operate evolve continuously, and we feel the tire needs to evolve as well," she said. "We have made this change for that reason. It is important for the teams to know that we are not changing any other aspect of the construction of the current tire."
 
Said Capps, who's third in the standings after five of 23 events, behind John Force and his own teammate Matt Hagan, "Even though it's early in the year, and the teams are not really focused on points quite yet, Vegas is going to be a pivotal race in the 2010 season" because of the new tire and its deadline for mandatory use.
 
Capps said the D2681 tire "will probably be mandatory from St. Louis on. Goodyear's announcement said that full use of the new tire "is expected to begin" at the suburban St. Louis race but said the "NHRA will allow the D2550 tire for so long as the tire is available in sufficient supply from Goodyear onsite to be used by all the Top Fuel and Funny Car teams. After that point, the D2681 tire will be the only one available for use by the teams."
 
Nevertheless, Capps seemed to think teams will want to get a head start on the adjustment period. He said this timing could be perfect for him, for he knows he is in decisive hands and on a track where he has been successful.
 
"What's great about Don Schumacher Racing, among all the crew chiefs and all the teams, is the communication that we're able to have when something like this happens," he said. "That's the benefit of having all these great crew chiefs around. The drivers can relay back to the crew chiefs what they feel with this new tire, and the crew chiefs will work on adapting to it.
 
"At this time of the year in Vegas, the conditions are still pretty good. It's not too hot out, and we know the track is a great track," Capps said. "so you can always take that out of the variables. And it's obviously been great for me. I've won there three times."
 
He won this event last year in his third final-round appearance in the spring race, and he was champion at the 2001 and 2005 fall Las Vegas races.
 
Goodyear's manufacturing plant in Akron, Ohio, has promised to have a full supply of the D2681 for all the racers to use at Las Vegas if they choose. Goodyear also will offer the existing D2550 tire at Las Vegas.