Goodyear extension with NASCAR (2nd Update)

The Goodyear tires were popping like hand grenades at Phoenix. For the last 10 years they have been exploding

UPDATE NASCAR and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced a renewed sponsorship agreement that ensures Goodyear is the exclusive tire of NASCAR’s top three national series.

The newly signed agreement continues Goodyear’s designation as the “Official Tire of NASCAR" and extends an uninterrupted relationship that started in 1954. Goodyear and NASCAR’s six decades of partnership is one of the longest-running sponsor programs in any sport. In addition, Goodyear has been the exclusive tire supplier for the sanctioning body’s top three series since 1997.

“We proudly join Goodyear in celebrating our renewed and longstanding partnership," said Brent Dewar, NASCAR president. “For more than half a century, NASCAR and our teams have trusted Goodyear tires. Our partners’ commitment to innovation and excellence plays a key role in our unyielding pursuit to deliver the best racing product in the world."

From the introduction of the radial tire to NASCAR in 1989 to multi-zone tread design in 2013, Goodyear and NASCAR have consistently innovated to deliver compelling racing. NASCAR has served as a proving ground for Goodyear, preparing and supplying tires that meet the most grueling and demanding conditions. The technology that goes into a tire to withstand and perform in those conditions helps inform and differentiate Goodyear’s consumer tires.

“We are tremendously proud of the pivotal role Goodyear plays in the best racing competition in the world and excited that NASCAR drivers will be crossing the finish line on Goodyear tires in the years ahead," said Rich Kramer, chairman, CEO and president of Goodyear. “With this new agreement in place, we celebrate our enduring relationship with NASCAR and the continuing value of NASCAR to the Goodyear brand"

Each tire Goodyear produces for NASCAR’s top three national series are custom-built by the hands of passionate Goodyear associates in Akron, Ohio – Goodyear’s global headquarters – and donned with the name of the employee who helped produce it.

The depth of the relationship has been built on competition, shared passion and brand growth for the two organizations. Goodyear’s industry-leading brand has been amplified through the duration of the relationship generating awareness for the tiremaker with NASCAR’s passionate fan base. According to a Turnkey Sports & Entertainment sponsor loyalty survey conducted for SportsBusiness Journal/Daily in 2016, Goodyear has been the most recognized sponsor in NASCAR for the past five consecutive years.

10/23/17 Goodyear has conducted tire tests for two NASCAR races scheduled for next season, including the playoff race at Charlotte, but it has yet to announce a contract extension for 2018.

But Stu Grant, Goodyear's general manager of worldwide racing said a new contract with NASCAR is imminent.

"We have not finalized the agreement yet; that's true," Grant said Sunday before the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. "We're getting very close to a contract extension. But we are testing for 2018, we're getting ready to build tires for the Daytona 500. We're operating like we're going to be here in 2018."

Goodyear, in the final year of a five-year contract, has been providing tires for NASCAR since 1954 and has been exclusive supplier since 1997. But IMSA announced recently it was replacing Continental Tire with Michelin as the official tire of its premier series and two major Challenge series, effective in 2019, prompting questions about Goodyear and NASCAR's future relationship. USA Today