AKRON, Ohio – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., exclusive tire supplier of NASCAR’s three major national series and NHRA Racing’s Top Fuel and Funny Car series, honored U.S. Armed Forces by transforming the appearance of all related racing tires over the Sept. 16 weekend. This marks the second straight year that Goodyear has altered the sidewalls of its race tires to honor U.S. troops. 
The design, featuring a patriotic color scheme reading “Support Our Troops” on the tires’ sidewalls, replaces the traditional “Goodyear Eagle” or “Goodyear Wrangler” sidewalls that are used in races every week. The sidewall change coincides with the launch of the “Goodyear Support Our Troops” initiative, an 11-week awareness and fundraising effort designed to generate support and honor the sacrifices of armed forces and their families at home.
“The sacrifices that soldiers and their families make for us every day deserve recognition,” said Garth Ely, Goodyear director of brand marketing. “We hope that through the symbolic gesture of changing our tires, coupled with a grassroots fund-raising campaign, we can help make a difference in the lives of the troops and their families. There are many tangible ways that Goodyear is helping military families, ranging from donating tires to military families in acute need, providing care packages to deployed troops, to offering a special military tire rebate.”
The 2011 Goodyear Support Our Troops Program includes the donation of tires to help military families, a special Goodyear tire rebate that will be offered for the duration of the program and a marketing campaign to raise awareness and trigger consumer involvement. Consumers and race fans can personally get involved in a variety of ways. Opportunities range from spreading the word that military families can take advantage of incremental savings on tires, to donating to the Support Our Troops organization. Goodyear is providing a chance for fans to show support through bidding on the authentic, race-used Goodyear Support Our Troops NASCAR and NHRA tires from the Sept. 18 NASCAR Geico 400 and O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA National Top Fuel and Funny Car races – autographed by the drivers who used them – as well as great experiences and items donated by many NASCAR and NHRA teams and other sponsors.
“We are very proud to have an iconic American company like Goodyear once again support us in our efforts to positively impact the lives of our country’s service men and women and their families,” said Martin Boire, executive director of Support Our Troops. “We are happy that NASCAR and NHRA fans – some of the most patriotic and dedicated fans in the world – will have even more great ways to show their support through this year’s program, and we encourage them to follow the lead of Goodyear, NASCAR and NHRA.”
This second year of the program features unique new ways for consumers to join Goodyear in supporting the troops, including visiting www.goodyear.com/supportourtroops. There, they can experience the Goodyear Bootcamp Challenge, a first of its kind competition between NASCAR and NHRA drivers in a battle to see who really is the fastest off the track. The Challenge will pit drivers from both sports, such as Joey Logano and Tony Schumacher, in a series of physical events that use Goodyear Racing Eagles during a test of strength, speed and agility. Drivers from both sports not participating in the actual competition will be joining in the fun through a series of videos that will be posted throughout the program on Goodyear’s website.
“Consumers can also help support our troops by sharing the details with their friends, family and any military members they know and urging them to visit www.goodyear.com/supportourtroops to get involved,” added Kris Kienzl, Goodyear marketing manager. “They can also help financially by texting the word “Troops” to 20222 to make a contribution*, donating all or part of their rebate during Goodyear’s ‘Traction in Action Tire Sale’ or by making a donation directly to Support Our Troops.”
All funds raised will be donated to Support Our Troops, a nonprofit nationwide organization that bolsters the morale and well-being of America’s troops and their families. The funds raised through the Goodyear effort will benefit the organization’s highly effective programs, which deliver more than $10 million per year in care packs and requested items to the front lines, positive support at home, kids’ camp assistance and more.
Goodyear has a longstanding history with the U.S. Armed Forces, with over 100 years of commitment to building innovative and reliable equipment to support and protect our troops. To this day, Goodyear’s commitment extends beyond products and charitable donations; priding itself on hosting events at U.S. military bases throughout the year, bringing service men and women and their families a chance to interact with drivers and take rides on the Goodyear Blimp.
* $10 will be charged to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Msg & data rates may apply. Service is available on most carriers. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Terms: www.hmgf.org/t. Text STOP to 20222 to unsubscribe; text HELP to 20222 for help.
