AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE : GT ) and NASCAR today jointly announced they have signed an extended agreement for Goodyear to continue as the exclusive tire used in NASCAR's top three racing series for the next five years.  

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The agreement, which extends through the 2017 season, renews Goodyear as the "Exclusive Tire Supplier" of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.  Goodyear has had an uninterrupted commitment to NASCAR since becoming a race tire supplier in the 1950s, making it one of the longest-running supply programs in any sport.  In addition, Goodyear has been the exclusive tire supplier for all three of the circuit's top series since 1997.  

"This extension is the continuation of a relationship between experts," said Pierre Jambon, vice president of Goodyear's off-highway business.  "NASCAR is clearly the expert in stock car racing, and it has chosen Goodyear because of our expertise in delivering outstanding performance.  Our tire performance on the track validates our brand, inspires confidence for drivers and helps create exciting racing for fans.  We are proud to continue to be an integral part of NASCAR."

"Our longtime relationship with Goodyear is a testament to the company's consistent high-quality tire it supplies the race teams," said Jim O'Connell, NASCAR's chief sales officer.  "Not only are they experts in tire performance, but they are also a brand that understands how to effectively engage and connect with our fans through creative activation."

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America's premier sports. NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in 20 languages. In the U.S., races are broadcast on FOX, TNT, ABC/ESPN/ESPN2, SPEED and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. NASCAR fans are among the most brand loyal in all of sports, and as a result more Fortune 100 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, and one local grassroots series, as well as two international series. Also part of NASCAR is Grand-Am Road Racing, known for its competition on road courses with multiple classes of cars. NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races at 100 tracks in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., NASCAR has offices in eight cities across North America. The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the third in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, is the Hollywood Casino 400 in Kansas City, Kan., which will air Oct. 9 on ESPN at 2:00 p.m. ET. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.nascar.com. Follow NASCAR on www.facebook.com/NASCAR or on Twitter: @NASCAR.

About Goodyear

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies.  It employs approximately 73,000 people and manufactures its products in 54 facilities in 22 countries around the world.  Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.  For more information about Goodyear, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company