DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 22)—Goodyear has signed a new five-year agreement with Daytona International Speedway that names Goodyear as the official tire of the speedway and gives the tire maker a number of other marketing opportunities.
The deal began with the start of the 2005 race season and will help Goodyear expand its racing involvement and marketing reach, Jon Rich, president of Goodyear North American Tire, said during a news conference at the speedway.
Besides being named the official tire, the company is the title sponsor of the Goodyear Legends of Daytona, a new Daytona FanZone attraction. It´s a tribute to racing legends from stock car, sports car and motorcycle racing. Richard Petty was inaugurated into the hall during the Feb. 18 news conference.
The agreement also brings the firm two Goodyear-branded hospitality club suites in the new infield tower behind Victory Lane, and an extension of Goodyear´s Daytona USA sponsorship of the Goodyear Walk of Heritage attraction.
"We've been at this track since the day it opened, and look forward to being here for a long time to come," Rich said. "This relationship is great for Goodyear and its customers. It also symbolizes the link between Goodyear's racing heritage and the development of our passenger tires, particularly the high-performance Eagle brand."