Penske warns teams not to mess with tires

Roger Penske

Roger Penske has warned his NASCAR team to stay out of any controversy regarding the possible manipulation of tires used during races. The team owner is aware of rampant industry speculation that some crews are drilling tiny holes in tires to allow air to escape during a race, a process known as "bleeding tires." NASCAR has confiscated tires the last two weeks, including those of Team Penske driver #22-Joey Logano following the race at Phoenix.

"It's my understanding that there could be ways to have the tires lose pressure over a stint," Penske said Saturday at the IndyCar Series event at St. Petersburg. Obviously with softer tires, you are going to have better grip and better performance. I've told our guys 'Hey, let's stay out of this.'

I can tell you this: we are not making any adjustments to our tires for that type of activity." Penske didn't know what NASCAR was looking for when it took Logano's tires after the March 15 race at Phoenix. He also doesn't know if anyone in the Sprint Cup Series garage is actually bleeding tires.

"I can't ever point my finger at anyone else. At the end of the day, guys go fast for different reasons, and someone has an idea that that's going on," Penske said. "I've seen no evidence at this point, at least it hasn't been show to me, to say 'this is happening.' The only finger I'm pointing is at my own guys to make sure we're not involved in anything like that." Associated Press