Goodyear extends NASCAR partnership

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—When it comes to NASCAR, Goodyear is doing what it has done for just about 70 years: Keeping the pole position.

The Akron-based tire maker Dec. 1 extended its multi-year agreement with the association, renewing its designation as the "Official Tire of NASCAR" and keeping its Goodyear Eagle race tire as an exclusive fitment for all of NASCAR's top three national series. To do that, Goodyear produces more than 100,000 tires for NASCAR teams at its global headquarters site in Akron.

"For more than 25 years, Goodyear Eagle tires have been the only component that connects the stock car to the racetrack," NASCAR President Steve Phelps said in a statement. "Our continued partnership will allow us to push boundaries and innovate our racing product for generations to come."

Goodyear, meanwhile, also will remain as the title sponsor of the annual Goodyear 400, NASCAR's Official Throwback Weekend Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway.

And that connection—Goodyear and NASCAR—just makes sense, according to Richard Kramer, Goodyear chairman, president and CEO.

"From our manufacturing plants to offices around the world, racing is ingrained in our culture," Kramer said, "and the importance of our relationship with NASCAR is reflected in the quality, performance and engineering we put into every Goodyear Eagle race tire."

That quality, performance and engineering may take the spotlight on the racetrack, but it shines on roadways connecting towns and cities, neighborhoods and communities, Goodyear said. Because the technologies that prove themselves under racing's grueling conditions often have a hand in the development of consumer tires that enhance safety and performance for every driver—professional or not.

"Our performance on the racetrack plays an active role in the success of the sport and inspires the development of our consumer tires, fueling our commitment to take performance and innovation to the next level," Kramer said.

Since 1954, Goodyear's Eagle race tires have transformed as racing has evolved. Among some of the technologies to take shape on the track were the introductions of the racing slick in 1972, the radial tire in 1989, the multi-zone tread design in 2013, and the development of the 18-inch Goodyear Racing Eagle tire used on NASCAR's Next Gen stock car.