AKRON, Ohio -- When one of the top late model stock car racing series in the southeastern United States opens its 2005 racing season, there will be many changes.

The United Auto Racing Association’s Southern Touring Asphalt Racing Series opens its season with the UARA-STARS Joe Walker Memorial at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C. March 19. There will be new sponsors, new drivers and new cars.

Goodyear is the exclusive tire provider for the UARA-STARS. But even the tiremaking icon will have something different in 2005. The UARA-STARS will be the first series to use Goodyear’s new D2602 Short Track Special.

Built in Goodyear’s Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, the D2602 is a bias-ply tire and measures 27 inches tall by 10 inches wide. It fits on a 15-inch wheel and uses Goodyear’s A400 tread compound.

“This is going to be a very popular tire,” said Cal Lint, Goodyear’s marketing manager for contract sales. “The teams that have tested it have liked it.”

Among the UARA-STARS drivers that have tested the D2602 already is Jamie Yelton. Yelton finished second in the 2004 points chase and is among the top contenders for the 2005 title.

“This new Goodyear tire is great,” said Yelton after a test session at Hickory. “I think they made a great choice in this tire. It’s fast, consistent and the readings were all excellent.”

Yelton started his career on two wheels, winning motocross championships at the tender age of 15. He moved on to Legends cars and now, at age 28, is starting his fifth season in late model stock car racing. In 2004, he led the UARA-STARS in Sunoco Pole Awards and led the most laps during the season. Yelton lives in Forest City, N.C.

Goodyear has been the exclusive tire for the UARA-STARS since the series’ inception. Yelton said the series has benefited from the long association.

“All the guys with Goodyear are great,” Yelton said. “If someone has a question at the racetrack and they don’t have an answer, they’ll go and find out and get back to you.”

Jamie Yelton and the other UARA-STARS racers know that for reliable racing tires and top-quality service, Goodyear is the best choice.