DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A relatively and unusually calm Speedweeks exploded in controversy Saturday at the very moment Ryan Newman's right-rear tire did the same, resulting in an accident that forced both Newman and his owner/driver teammate Tony Stewart into backup cars for Sunday's Daytona 500.

“

It's the same stuff that we always talk about every year -- the failures that Goodyear has.

”

TONY STEWART

Stewart, owner of Newman's No. 39 Chevrolet as well as his own No. 14 Chevy for Stewart-Haas Racing, was livid with Goodyear for what he claims are faulty tires that have been issued to Sprint Cup teams for the season-opening race. It wasn't the first time Stewart has blasted Goodyear for bringing bad tires to a race, as he did so last year at events in Atlanta and Indianapolis.

But this time, as he experienced his first tire blowout and blowup as a car owner, Stewart seemed even hotter than usual.

"It's just a Goodyear right-rear tire," Stewart said. "So it's the same thing everybody has been talking about all week. It's the same stuff that we always talk about every year -- the failures that Goodyear has. I think that's part of their marketing campaign. The more we talk about it, the more press they get. I think they forget that it's supposed to be in a good way, not a bad way."

The incident occurred during Saturday's final Cup practice for Sunday's 500, which was led by Reed Sorenson with a top speed of 191.575 mph. Newman said he felt a slight vibration in the right-rear of his car as he exited Turn 1 at Daytona International Speedway with Stewart running just behind him, and then almost immediately the tire blew -- taking both of their cars out (watch video).

Looking at it afterward, with the right-rear quarterpanel torn completely off and the entire right side of the No. 39 Chevy mangled, Newman said there was no doubt he was going to his second backup car. The car he had been driving already was a backup to the one he originally thought he would drive in the 500, until he wrecked in his Gatorade Duel qualifying race on Thursday. (Continued)