DARLINGTON, South Carolina—The Goodyear Blimp has become the unofficial mascot of the Ohio-based tire giant since debuting in 1925. As part of its anniversary celebration, the original blimp will grace the sidewalls of all NASCAR stock cars throughout the association's "throwback weekend" for the annual Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway, April 5 and 6.
Stu Grant, general manager of Goodyear Global Race Tires, said that the company's trademark dirigible is celebrating its 100th anniversary throughout 2025 with a tour of over 100 cities, including Darlington, S.C., itself. The special racing tires include a historic image of "Pilgrim," Goodyear's first blimp, which first took flight in 1925, along with a centennial banner.
"Very few brands have the opportunity to celebrate a milestone as significant as 100 years," he said. "Goodyear and NASCAR have been providing fans with unforgettable aerial views and thrilling races for nearly as long. It will be a special commemoration of the blimp's 100th anniversary at the Goodyear 400 with the blimp on the tires and in the sky overhead at an historic venue like Darlington."
Fans will have a chance to see the tires in action at both the Goodyear 400 and NASCAR's Xfinity series races, Goodyear officials said. The special tires will also appear at the World Endurance Challenge and throughout the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) events at Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone, the company said.
The Goodyear Blimp will officially celebrate its 100th anniversary on June 3—100 years to the date of Pilgrim's maiden voyage in Akron, Ohio in 1925. Fans can follow along with the blimp's anniversary tour on its official website.
