Goodyear Tire officials yesterday said that after "a closer analysis, a perceived 'tire problem' during Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway isn’t that much of a mystery." In Charlotte, Jim Utter notes seven drivers "complained of experiencing issues with their tires -- several of them Chase for the Sprint Cup drivers contending for the win." But following "further study at the track and talking to the teams involved, only two -- the teams of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Keselowski -- do not yet have a clear-cut explanation for their tire failures." Goodyear officials "bristled at the suggestion by some that they were not doing enough to ensure they were putting the best product on the track" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/8).
GOTTA BE THE SHOES: In Chicago, Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz reports a Jordan Brand-only store "plans to open a 36,000-square-foot retail store" downtown next June. The retail concept called Flight 23 at Footaction "debuted this year" in N.Y., and is "a partnership between Nike-owned Jordan Brand and Foot Locker-owned Footaction." Nike said the store's first location one block from MSG is "the first in a series of planned premium Jordan retail experiences coming to North America" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/8).
YOU CAN BANK ON IT: In Columbus, Evan Weese reported the Blue Jackets "have signed PNC Bank to a multi-year sponsorship that includes arena signage, commercials and a youth reading program." The bank "joins Huntington Bancshares Inc. as a Blue Jackets banking partner." Blue Jackets VP/Corporate Development A.J. Poole said that the team’s "relationship with hometown Huntington is unchanged" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/7).
