Consider the recent "marketing campaign" comparing a Shelby Super Snake Mustang against a Shelby Cobra. The Cobra lost, big time. It was OBVIOUS to any seasoned car guy (like Club Cobra members) that the 'Stang was running SLICKS against the stock Cobra tires.
That video and the results quickly became a joke, disdain was heaped on Shelby (justly deserved) and the results were thrown out and ridiculed. I would have the same opinion of THIS race, the results would be a joke, if tire choice factors are not equalized.
While Tommy may win, it would indeed be a "hollow victory" and would prove nothing. After the win, perhaps Tommy and the Shelby marketing group could do lunch, and talk about how they fooled the public with much hype. Yeah, they really pulled a fast one on MOST of the "sheep" out there, but did not fool the serious car guys for a second.
...just a thought.
A link to the pathetic video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liLpiev54lA