2012 RACING MEDIA GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

For more than 100 years, Goodyear has Goodyear Racing Staff ______2 been racing. And Steve McClellan over that time, our Marketing that’s More Driven ______4 President, Goodyear involvement in motor North American ‘Support our Troops’ Program Sees Expansion ______5 sports has become more than just a sponsorship opportunity or Goodyear Continues Far-Reaching Racing Program ______6 proving grounds for our ... It’s become part of who we are as a company. Tracking at the Track: RFID Technology ______8 As we look forward to another exciting Race Tracks Change, Goodyear’s Quality Stays the Same ______10 racing season, I’m confident that Goodyear is still building upon that proud heritage. Venue Groupings for Goodyear Racing Radials ______12 Goodyear’s role in racing is one we all take Finishing Touches Maintain Quality of Goodyear’s Race Tires _ _ _ _ 14 very seriously because in many ways, it’s the public face of our company. Our The Evolution of Goodyear’s Bias Ply Tires ______16 performance on the plays an active role in the success of the sport. Race Tire Sticker Data, NASCAR & Passenger Tire Cutaways _ _ _ 17 But it’s more than that. The fact that Driving Excellence – 1,000 Feet at a Time ______18 NASCAR, NHRA and experts in many other forms of racing choose Goodyear provides Biondo and Goodyear: A Winning Combination ______19 evidence of the quality and performance we engineer into every race tire. And Goodyear Improves Sports Car Offerings for 2012 ______20 importantly, it also inspires the development kiesel Races the Clock ______22 of our consumer tires, giving everyone a reason to trust Goodyear in delivering Ruman Races into History ______23 superior performance for their vehicle. At Goodyear, we’re committed to building Goodyear Continues to Lead in the Dirt ______24 the world’s best tires. But don’t just take our Racing’s Weekend Warriors Rely on Goodyear ______25 word for it. See us in action at a dirt track, road course, drag strip, superspeedway or key Points in Goodyear’s Racing History ______26 even in your own neighborhood. You won’t 2011 Goodyear Racing Champions ______28 be disappointed.

NASCAR RACING DRAG, SPORTS, DIRT & SHOR T TRACk Mike Siberini Lee Elder P.O. Box 943, Harrisburg, NC 28075 2144 Almanor Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93036 Cell 704-905-3309 email: [email protected] Phone 805-981-8678; Fax 805-981-8690 Cell 805-377-3537 email: [email protected] Mike Siberini started working with Goodyear in 1999 as a PR rep with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, followed Lee Elder, a 1979 graduate of San Diego State University with a degree by a move to Sprint Cup in 2001. He also does freelance production in journalism, has worked with the Goodyear Racing public relations work with FOX, ABC/ESPN and TNT. Prior to his PR start with team since 2001, where he focuses on PR for a variety of racing NASCAR in 1997, Siberini also plied his trade with several venues. He had been sports director of two radio stations, sports professional soccer franchises. editor of two newspapers and spent six seasons as media coordinator for NASCAR’s Southwest Tour.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company ; 11 44 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44316 Photography available upon request, or by visiting the Goodyear website at www.goodyear.com/media or www.racegoodyear.com or at CIAstockphoto.com (username: goodyearmedia; password: racetires); Produced 2-12 by Goodyear Global Communications Department, Akron, Ohio © Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, 2012 Drivers interviewed may have received sponsorship, financial, or product support from Goodyear. GOODYEAR RACING STAFF

Stu Grant General Manage r, Global Race Tires Justin Fantozzi Marketing Manager, Racing Iowa State (1972); Joined Goodyear 1972 University of Cincinnati (1998); University of Akron (2002); Joined Goodyear 1998 Stu joined Goodyear after graduating from Iowa State with a degree in chemical . After a year with Justin joined Goodyear’s racing division after aircraft tire development, he moved to Goodyear’s graduating from the University of Cincinnati with racing division in 1973 as a racing tire engineer. Named a degree in chemical engineering. Named marketing chief compounder in 1978. In 1983, Stu was named manager in 2007. Prior positions include field sales manager of racing tire development programs, where he manager for stock cars, as well as dirt and asphalt worked until transferring to passenger tires in 1991 and short . His racing career also includes tire then to kelly-Springfield as marketing manager of light compounding and tire design in the sportscar, dirt, truck tires. Stu returned to racing in 1994 as director of and open-wheel venues. Justin received an MBA in racing tire sales and marketing. In February 1996, he marketing from the University of Akron in 2002. was named general manager of global race tires. Rick Campbell Project Manager, Greg Stucker Director, Race Tire Sales Tire Development, NASCAR Vanderbilt University (1979); Joined Goodyear 1979 College of Wooster (1979); Joined Goodyear 1979 Greg joined Goodyear in 1979 following his Rick joined Goodyear race tire development after graduation from Vanderbilt University with a degree graduating from the College of Wooster with a degree in mechanical engineering. After a year on the in chemistry. His early tire experience includes stock technical squad, he joined the racing division in 1980, cars and . As group leader for stock cars moving from short track and NASCAR tire development in 1987, Rick was instrumental in Goodyear’s success to group leader for Indy cars in 1983. In 1986, Greg was through two in 1988-89 and in 1994. Named named chief engineer in racing. Following three years chief compounder for all of Goodyear’s in original equipment passenger tire engineering, he programs in 1996 and, in 1997, he was named chief returned to racing in October 1998 as manager of engineer for the IRL series. Rick went back into race tire product development. Greg was promoted NASCAR as team leader in 2000 and broadened his to director of race tire sales and marketing in responsibility in 2008 to project manager, tire October 2000 and director of sales in 2007. development, NASCAR.

Dave Leffler Director, Race Operations Dave Auffenberg Project Leader, The Ohio State University (1980); Joined Goodyear 1990 Tire Development, Drag, Sports, Dirt Purdue University (1985); Joined Goodyear 1985 Dave graduated from The Ohio State University with an MBA in finance and joined Goodyear in 1990 after working Dave joined Goodyear in 1985 in dirt racing and 10 years in various financial positions with transportation Formula One after graduating from Purdue University and management consultant firms. Since joining with a degree in chemical engineering. Dave moved Goodyear, Dave has held a variety of positions within to the stock car group in 1987, then the CART series Goodyear’s finance organization, including Director, starting in 1990. He was made group leader of dirt, Financial Planning & Analysis, North American Tire, and drag and bias-ply tires in mid 1993, then was named Finance Director for Goodyear’s off-highway business. chief engineer over stock car, sports radial, supercar Dave joined Goodyear Racing in 2008 and serves as a and bias-ply tires in 199 7. Dave’s focus as project focal point for finance/operations and marketing. manager in 2011 remains on drag, sports and dirt tires.

Dan Harrison Manager, Race Tire Product Bryce Jones Sales Account Manager, Engineering & Quality Virginia Tech (1978); Joined Goodyear 1978 University of Nevada, Reno (2001); Joined Goodyear 2003 Dan joined the Goodyear-Danville manufacturing Bryce graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno facility after graduating from Virginia Tech with a with a degree in chemical engineering in 2001. He degree in Mechanical Engineering. He moved to Akron earned his MS degree in chemical engineering from in 1984 as a design engineer on the radial medium truck Northwestern University in 2003. Upon joining Goodyear engineering team, followed by assignments in several in 2003, he worked in racing doing compounding for North America manufacturing locations as part of the drag and sports car tires. He then worked from 2007 Quality & Technology organization. Upon returning to to 2010 at the Akron Mix Center as the section head Akron in 2007, he became a project manager for the of the testing laboratory. In early 2010, he became commercial truck tire team for both North America and sales account manager, drag racing. Latin America. Dan joined Goodyear Racing in 2009 and is responsible for race tire product development and outgoing quality.

2 Chris Mileti Lead Engineer, Tire Development, Drag Racing, Sports Car, Dirt Racing, Short Track University of Akron (2000); Joined Goodyear 2000 Chris joined Goodyear’s drag racing group as a tire designer after graduating from the University of Akron with a degree in mechanical engineering. In the fall of 2003, Chris transferred to Goodyear’s NASCAR advanced engineering group to work on technology development programs. He was named lead engineer of that same group in the spring of 2004. In January of 2010, he was named the lead engineer for Goodyear’s drag racing, , dirt racing, and land record programs. Rick Heinrich Sales Account Manager, Sprint Cup Series Steve Rigot Sales Account Manager, Western University (1985); Joined Goodyear 1985 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rick joined Goodyear’s store division in 1985 Gardner-Webb University (2004); Joined Goodyear 1996 after graduating from Western Illinois University with Steve joined Goodyear in 1996 and has held various a degree in business. Rick moved to Goodyear’s positions at Goodyear’s Statesville plant, including headquarters in Akron in 1990 as an accountant in mold technician, crew leader, manufacturing retail operations and after three years he was named planner/scheduler and business team leader. In 2005, the operations manager for the Commercial Tires after earning a degree in business administration from Centers. He joined the Goodyear racing division in North Carolina’s Gardner-Webb University, Steve was 2002, where he managed the distribution and service promoted to mold plan coordinator for all consumer of race tires for N ASCAR ’s top three divisions. In 2008, and race tire molds and moved to Akron. In 2007, he Rick became the sales account manager for the became team leader of the Applied Physical Metrology NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. lab. Steve joined the Goodyear Racing team in 2008 as sales account manager with responsibility for the Scott Junod Sales Account Manager, NASCAR Nationwide Series. Short Track Racing Iowa State (1985); Joined Goodyear 1985 Steve Petrescu Sales Account Manager, Sports Car Racing Scott joined Goodyear after graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in industrial engineering and Cleveland State University (1992); Joined Goodyear 1998 started his Goodyear career in medium commercial Steve graduated from Cleveland State University truck sales and marketing. Scott held various positions with a degree in industrial engineering. He joined in human resources and industrial engineering, and has Goodyear in 1998 as an area manager in race tires. worked in several production facilities. Scott joined In 2001, he was promoted to performance test driver Goodyear Racing in 2007 as sales account manager and worked with Chrysler OE, eventually being for short track racing. He also holds a Juris Doctorate promoted to automotive engineer, Chrysler OE account, degree from the University of Akron and is a member in 2005. He began his work as sports car account of the Ohio Bar Association. manager in 2010, and earned his Masters in engineering management from Cleveland State Mark keto Project Leader, Racing Technology University in 2011. Penn State University (1996); Joined Goodyear 1996 Mark joined Goodyear’s racing group to work with the sports car tire development team after graduating from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in chemical engineering. By early 1997, he shifted to the NASCAR group, working as a tire compounder. Between 2001 and 2011, Mark served as lead engineer of the NASCAR group before being promoted in July 2011 to his current position, in which he will focus on developing advanced technologies for the racing group.

3 MARkETING THAT ’S MORE DRIVEN Moving Beyond Brand awareness

For more than 100 years, racing name because it’s become the start of last year’s racing season, has been part of the Goodyear synonymous with great performance highlights the multitude of experts story. Today, it’s hard to visit a dirt in ,” said kris kienzl, who rely on Goodyear tires for their track, road course, drag Goodyear’s NASCAR marketing superior performance. strip or superspeedway manager. “Our job is to take that Developing tires for drivers in without encountering the brand awareness and help them some of the nation’s premier racing Goodyear name. understand why Goodyear’s racing series, such as NASCAR and NHRA, This season marks involvement is important to them.” means Goodyear is constantly the tiremaker’s 58th For Goodyear, racing is innovating new technologies and year as a supplier about more than just marketing processes. But those innovations for NASCAR, making it one of the opportunities and brand exposure; aren’t kept inside the racing division. longest-running supply programs in it’s about learning…driving They’re shared across the company, any sport. And last year, Goodyear innovation, enhancing performance where many are adapted to make signed a five-year extended and quality. In fact, every form excellent consumer tires. agreement to continue as the of racing the company is involved exclusive tire used in NASCAR’s in provides opportunities for top three racing series through the advancements in tire development, 2017 season – a position proudly helping to bring a better product held by Goodyear since 1997. to consumers. With more than a century of “The experts who race on racing heritage, and a continued Goodyear tires don’t choose us just presence in some of the nation’s because we’re well known or have a top series, race fans undoubtedly strong racing heritage,” said kienzl. “Our engineers learn a lot from know the Goodyear name. “They choose Goodyear because Goodyear’s involvement in racing But what do those fans think we build superior performing tires.” because it’s such a demanding about Goodyear? That’s the multi- That mantra is exactly the point environment,” kienzl said. “Applying million dollar answer the company’s Goodyear is driving home with its their knowledge to our consumer marketing team is always after. “More Driven” advertising campaign. tires makes perfect sense. That “Fans recognize the Goodyear The campaign, which launched at track-to-street connection is part 4 ‘Support our troopS’ prograM SEES ExpanSion

n 2011, Goodyear once again honored members of of what makes racing such a I the U.S. Armed Forces by transforming the appearance powerful tool for Goodyear.” of its iconic race tires – and giving back to a good cause. To further promote the The second edition of the “Support Our Troops” connection between its racing program expanded Goodyear’s sidewall makeover to include all three of NASCAR’s major national series, as and consumer tires, Goodyear’s well as NHRA Racing’s and series. marketing team is taking fans The red, white and blue “Support Our Troops” message, which behind the scenes to see its own replaced the “Eagle” and “Wrangler” lettering on sidewalls across each series, also marked the launch of Goodyear’s 2011 “Support Our experts in action. One example Troops” initiative – an 11-week awareness and fund-raising effort which of this effort was the company’s generated support and raised donations for the Support Our Troops “Proving Grounds” program, which nonprofit organization. kicked off at last year’s . “The sacrifices that soldiers and their families make for us every day deserve recognition,” said Garth Ely, Goodyear director of brand “Developing a new tire for the marketing. “We hope that through the symbolic gesture of changing freshly-repaved Daytona track in our tires, coupled with a grassroots fund-raising campaign, we could 2011 was the perfect opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of the troops and their families.” Goodyear showed its support by donating tires to military families showcase Goodyear’s technical in need, offering a special military tire rebate and hosting a charity expertise,” kienzl said. “We created auction where fans bid on race-used Support Our Troops tires a series of videos showing fans how autographed by NASCAR and NHRA drivers. Goodyear develops and tests a The campaign also introduced a challenge competition where NASCAR and NHRA drivers battled to see who was fastest off the NASCAR tire. The end result was track. Drivers from both sports were tested in a series of physical a new tire that received plenty of events that used Goodyear racing Eagles during a test of strength, praise, from drivers and fans alike.” speed and agility. In the end, NHRA driver Del Worsham walked away as the champion. Throughout the videos, Thanks to the generous support of Goodyear dealers and Goodyear’s message to viewers consumers, the “Support Our Troops” program once again raised more was simple: If NASCAR drivers than $100,000 to support active duty troops and their families. It also depend upon Goodyear to build the secured a place for cause-related marketing in Goodyear Racing’s future for years to come. right tires for them, consumers can be confident in Goodyear’s ability to build tires with superior handling for their car, truck or SUV. “We want to show consumers that Goodyear wouldn’t be the same without racing,” said kienzl. “Just like racing wouldn’t be the same without Goodyear.” 5 GOODYEAR CONTINUES FAR-REACHING RACING PROGRAM

Few companies, if any, have as long and successful a history in the sport of auto racing as The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Across racing country and throughout the world, Goodyear is synonymous with quality, speed and safety. In the United States, NASCAR dominates much of the racing world. As the official tire supplier of NASCAR’s top three series – Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck – Goodyear is an integral part of the sport. “Our involvement with NASCAR continues to pay dividends on a number of different levels,” said Stu Grant, Goodyear’s general manager of global race tires. “For one, the tremendous visibility of the series allows for terrific exposure “The severe service conditions and Wranglers to the top three of the Goodyear that our racing tires see in divisions of NASCAR through 201 7.” brand. This ensures NASCAR represent a great proving But Goodyear’s involvement that Goodyear tires ground to develop the tire technology in motorsports does not end with are top of mind that allows for the exceptional NASCAR. Far from it. when it comes to performance of our consumer and Goodyear is also involved in tire purchase time for the many commercial tires. As we enter our the National Hot Rod Association, motorsports enthusiasts in North 58th consecutive year as a tire for both the professional and America and around the globe.” supplier to NASCAR we’re proud to sportsman classes. In addition to the marketing have announced a five year extension “The NHRA is by far the most benefits of being involved with of our supply agreement in late 2011. successful sanctioning body in drag NASCAR, there are technical This contract extension ensures a racing, and we are very happy with our benefits as well. steady supply of Goodyear Eagles association with this fine organiza tion,”

6 the starting line and much lower these United States and beyond. down the track.” The company’s commitment to In sports car racing, Goodyear’s motorsports is unrivaled in the tire line is also expanding, much to business and looks to continue. the benefit of its teams. “Overall, Goodyear has been “Our new line of DOT-approved involved in motorsports for more than Eagle RS radials has been performing 100 years,” added Grant. “Racing exceptionally well on both autocross has influenced our products, our circuits and road courses, and we processes, our leadership, and our are gradually expanding our size corporate image, and I believe that our offering,” said Grant. “We are also strong commitment to motorsports adding rain tires to some of our will continue well into the future.” more popular sizes. All in all, it’s been a very exciting project and we couldn’t be more pleased about our entry into this segment of the DOT tire market.” Goodyear’s Dirt Track tire program is also going strong for 2012. “We don’t have many changes to report in our dirt track program,” said Grant. “We look forward to the running of the 52nd annual Goodyear knoxville Nationals, and we continue said Grant. “Our involvement in this as the official tire supplier of the area of motorsports allows us to obtain World of Outlaws series and many positive Goodyear brand exposure other regional dirt track series and to a different fan base than in tracks around the country. NASCAR, and like our NASCAR “In our short track program, Penney involvement, it translates into gains Racing Supply now serves as our in our consumer tire business. national tire distributor. That will That is a good feeling for all “On the technical side of drag establish some consistency in delivering those involved in Goodyear Racing, racing, I’d like to say that we are our tires to racers throughout the U.S. from those that build and support very excited about our growing list Competition Tire Canada will remain the tires to those thousands and of drag radial slicks. "In a growing our distributor north of the border.” thousands of competitors that race number of applications, our radial Goodyear’s racing program on them each week. tires provide high levels of grip off is as widespread and diverse as

7 TRACkING AT THE TRACk rfid tEChnoLogy

Keeping track of all the tires Goodyear brings to the race track is a big job. On a NASCAR triple header weekend, where teams in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series all compete, that number can approach 5,000 tires. So knowing where every tire is and to whom it belongs needs some close managing. Last season, NASCAR inspectors on pit road were armed with hand-held RFID (radio frequency identification) scanners, similar to those used by Goodyear inventory control specialists at the track. With those, inspectors were able to scan tires on pit road and verify the ownership credentials of any tire on any car. This year, a collaborative effort between Goodyear and NASCAR has incorporated newer technology to enhance its existing system of tire tracking.

8 hELpS goodyEar and naSCar ManagE tirE invEntory

“It’s really a technology one at the exit of the garage to make relationship that we have with sure that the tires on the car preparing AN ICON NASCAR,” said Rick Heinrich, to go out on the track are indeed IN THE SkY Goodyear’s product manager. “We assigned to that specific team. Now in their 87th year of flight, will work together to construct a “The system was developed by Goodyear’s world-famous airships travel more than 100,000 miles transmission system each week at Goodyear’s Chris knauf, utilizing an across the United States each year as the race track to make our database Impinj-made RFID reader and a series the tiremaker’s “Aerial Ambassadors.” available over of antennas. The antennas capture Among the blimp’s assignments a WiFi-like the data located on the RFID tags, are NASCAR and NHRA events throughout the season. signal in real the reader ‘assembles’ the data and The blimp tradition began in time. This the software makes order of the data 1925 when Goodyear built its first signal will be and presents it in a usable fashion.” public relations airship, the Pilgrim. Over the years, Goodyear has built trans ferred to All of this is crucial in Goodyear more than 300 airships. a NASCAR inspector via a powerful, and NASCAR’s desire to manage Today, Goodyear operates omni-directional access point.” one of the most important elements three blimps in North America: the “Last year was our first foray with of the race weekend. Spirit of Goodyear, based in Akron, Ohio; the Spirit of America, based the readers on pit road,” added “The tires are vital to NASCAR’s in Carson, California; and the Spirit Jerry kaproth, NASCAR’s senior desire to establish a competitive of Innovation, in Pompano Beach, special projects coordinator. “This field and series,” said kaproth. Florida. Flying approximately 1,500 feet year we’ll have a new setup that is “As partners, it is incumbent upon above the racetrack, the Goodyear a platform reader. We plan to set up NASCAR and Goodyear to work blimp carries a pilot, camera this platform in two locations – one together so the competitors are operator and camera equipment to on our NASCAR inspection station all treated equally. To accomplish provide aerial shots for television coverage on race day. A high- to read the RFID tags in both the that, we are taking advantage of definition camera, featuring a tires and the teams’ chassis, and technologies that both organizations gyro-stabilized lens that allows are using to oversee the process.” for a smooth and steady picture, is mounted on an aluminum track Goodyear and NASCAR and can be raised or lowered have worked well together for from the gondola. The signal is 58 consecutive seasons now, and trans mitted via microwave antenna with last year’s contract extension from the airship to the on-site television production mobile units. through the 2017 season, that For more information on the relationship will continue to flourish iconic , well into the future. visit www.goodyearblimp.com.

9 RACE TRACkS CHANGE, BUT GOODYEA R’ S QUALITY

What can easily be said about track will have a new surface, the sport of NASCAR is that it’s fast it guarantees that we’ll have moving and ever changing. With to come back with a new tire the number of facilities that have setup. To go along with the new, recently been resurfaced, along smoother surface, the cars will with three more tracks on the books generally have more grip from in various stages of the same the new asphalt, which means process, The Goodyear Tire & we’ll need to control heat build-up Rubber Company’s racing division in the new tire. Therefore, we will have to work fast to change need to strike the right balance with several more tire recommendations the tread compound to control that for the coming season. heat while still optimizing grip.”

“Both the Daytona and Phoenix repaves went very well from our perspective,” said Stucker. “Starting with Daytona prior to the 2011 season, we had a bit of a head start comparing that process to what went on with Talladega’s repave just a few years ago. We got a lot of Photo courtesy of Michigan International Speedway good information on the asphalt mix After last season’s highly The results during the 2011 they were going to use and were successful repaving projects at both season were solid. Both races at able to get on the track with several Daytona International Speedway Daytona and the fall race at Phoenix teams in December to have a tire and Phoenix International Raceway, came off without a hitch. As evidence test. All the work we did in advance three tracks are scheduled for the of that, Goodyear will bring back the of that paid off. same treatment for 2012 – Michigan same tire combinations to each of “As far as Phoenix, it was a little International Speedway, Pocono those two tracks to start this season. different situation in that we ran on Raceway and . the old configuration in March, and “Track resurfacing always then had a completely new track when presents a challenge,” said Greg we returned for a very important Stucker, Goodyear’s director of race race in November. Again, we were tire sales. “Just by the fact that the able to get on the track for a test as

10 PERFORMANCE STAYS THE SAME

soon as it was done and came out laid down, with just the top layer replaced. Goodyear will monitor of that with a good setup.” of asphalt needing to be completed. the process closely, doing as much That brings us to 2012. Michigan That will happen as soon as the computer modeling as possible is the furthest along of the three weather cooperates in northeastern during the process, and hope “new” repaves. The surface at the Pennsylvania, and Goodyear will to get on the track far enough two-mile oval has been completed, test there as soon as possible. in advance of the October race and Goodyear plans for a test early kansas will follow a similar weekend to have a test. in the season. model as Phoenix. After the first “From an engineering standpoint, As of the start of the 2012 season, race weekend at the track in April, each track is unique. With the the new surface at Pocono is mostly the old surface will be torn up and newer mixes of asphalt, the amount of time we spend working with track officials , and advanced nature of our process, we can do a lot of work before we ever even get to have a car on a new track surface,” said Stucker. “Having to come out of the box last year with a new tire setup for the Daytona 500 was a challenge, but we’re very happy with our results. Phoenix was

Continued on page 12

11 Photo courtesy of RACE TRACkS CHANGE, CONTINUED 2012 VENUE GROUPINGS

for goodyear Eagle and Wrangler racing radials

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series & Camping World Truck Series

Group 1 Daytona Talladega

Group 2 Charlotte

Chicagoland Photo courtesy of Michigan International Speedway Darlington Homestead Las Vegas a different model, but we had on the track to confirm our Michigan similar success. recommendations, all the hard Texas “This year, at Michigan, Pocono work in track imaging, translating Atlanta and then kansas, we have three data and computer modeling we Auto Club (Fontana) Dover tracks of varying lengths and have done will pay off.” kansas configurations being repaved. And Hard work is a way of life in kentucky even though the tracks are different, the racing business, and the one Rockingham we are able to apply similar methods axiom that seems to apply most is Bristol to coming up with new tire setups. that the more things change, the Indianapolis We have a good bit of history on more they stay the same. And so Iowa Phoenix all three facilities and we will again it goes – new season, new track Pocono work closely configurations, with the same Richmond contractors, consistent track officials performance Martinsville and NASCAR. from Goodyear Infineon (Sonoma) Once we Racing. Elkhart Lake actually get Montreal Watkins Glen

12

FINISHING TOUCHES MAINTAIN QUALITY OF GOODYEA R’ S

Building a Goodyear race tire is press,” said Harrison. “They have normal. The X-ray can find voids, a long, arduous process. Even after an inspection station that consists of or air trapped between components, the racing Eagles and Wranglers a turn-table that allows them to view and foreign material, but primarily are conceived, designed, built and every aspect of the tire, and a bank the X-ray inspector is looking at the cured, the job is not done. It’s not of high intensity lights that enhance quality of the reinforcements, such until each and every tire built in the their visual inspection. When you’re as the ply, belts and overlay.” Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear inspecting something that Innovation Center runs through a is black, the quality of the series of quality control tests that light used during inspection they are approved for use on the is very important. world’s race tracks. “Inspectors are looking, “First, something that is important and feeling, for imperfections to note is there are a multitude of that may have occurred quality processes and procedures during the curing process. built into the tire manufacturing Visually, they are looking for process,” said Dan Harrison, conditions on the tire that Goodyear’s manager of race tire shouldn’t be there. They also product development and quality. use their hands and fingers “Our quality procedures are an to feel for very subtle things integral part of every step throughout that are not easily seen. As the manufacturing process.” in many of the processes After a Goodyear race tire is involved in manufacturing our race Next in line is the Shearography built and cured, four basic quality tires, cured tire inspection requires test, which is an optical test that inspections are performed on every extensive training, knowledge provides additional information about tire before it’s shipped. Those and proficiency.” the internal structure of the tire. steps include a visual inspection, The next step is the X-ray “Although the X-ray can detect an X-ray test, a Shearography test process, where an inspector will some voids in the cured tire, smaller and a ride quality test. view all the internal components voids are difficult to see as they may These processes start with of the tire. be masked by the reinforcements or the visual inspection, which “We look at the entire internal other tire components,” added encompasses both sight and touch composite structure of the tire,” Harrison. “In the shearography inspections. said Harrison. “As in the visual process, very small voids can be “The tire is delivered to the tire inspection, the X-ray inspection is detected. The process is a complex inspector, still warm from the curing looking for any condition that is not one that results in images of the

14 RACE TIRES

inside surface of the tire taken machine measures the radial and while stressed in a vacuum. ” lateral force variations seen by the Once a tire has gone through road wheel. These forces simulate these three stages, it is ready for a the forces the race car will see from ride quality test, or in Goodyear’s the tire only. These are checked terminology, a force/balance test. against established standards to “The equipment used is a force/ ensure there will be no tire induced balance machine,” continued vibration for the drivers and teams. here are the same as those Harrison. “The force machine “Second is the balance station. used in Goodyear manufacturing station consists of two perfectly It’s very similar to what you see plants that produce consumer round half rims, and a road wheel when you have your personal and commercial tires, as well. that has load cells attached to it in vehicle tires balanced, except that The final finish process is something both radial and lateral directions. it’s automated. The tire is rotated Goodyear does for every product The tire is mounted on the rims, on a perfectly balanced rim, and line it produces, including NASCAR. inflated to a prescribed specification, the dynamic balance of the tire is “Our involvement with racing is and indexed into the turning road measured, displayed, recorded and very important to Goodyear, and wheel until the load wheels reach checked against established these tires are our ‘ambassadors’ the specified test load for the tire. Goodyear standards.” for the entire Goodyear family,” said As the tire/wheel rotates, the force In reality, the processes listed Harrison. “They have our name in big, bold yellow letters on them for the world to see. The associates that hand-build these tires put their name on them. For Goodyear Racing, our quality is a source of pride.” These final inspection steps are just some of the many quality processes and procedures that are forever present in each and every phase of Goodyear’s tire manufacturing process. Building every tire to high quality standards is the Goodyear way.

15 THE EVOLUTION OF GOODYEA R’ S BIAS-PLY TIRES

What do the fastest lap in These aren’t your grandfather’s Racing and Formula NASCAR, the fastest passes in bias-ply tires. classes. They will also be used in NHRA, the winged sprint cars of the “We build bias-ply tires for every the new series. World of Outlaws and the American type of racing,” said Greg Stucker, Today’s bias-ply racing tires are Canadian Tour’s stock Goodyear’s director of race tire technologically advanced. And while car series have in common? sales. “The world of bias-ply racing they do have different handling Well, they all race on Goodyear is every bit as competitive as radial characteristics than radial race tires, tires – that’s given. But the real racing, so we keep moving forward.” bias-ply tires have a key advantage answer lies in the type of Goodyear Look no further than Goodyear’s that many racers consider vital: tires they use. new line of Aramid construction Bias-ply tires cost less to manufacture If you know racing history, bias-ply tires for sports cars. than radials – a savings which the answer is simple: The tires “This new line of tires is aimed at Goodyear passes on to racers. above are all Goodyear bias-ply open wheel-type cars that compete NASCAR’s regional series, racing tires. in the Sports Car Club of America,” such as the k&N Pro Series East, ’s record lap, 212.809 said Goodyear’s Steve Petrescu, Pro Series West and Canadian Tire mph at sales account manager for sports Series, primarily compete on short in 1987, was accomplished before car racing. “The tires are more tracks around North America. the era began and However, their before ’s top series schedules also ran exclusively on Goodyear radial include road courses tires. Since then, Goodyear’s bias- and speedways ply tire development has continued every season. The at the same industry-leading pace variety of demands as the work on its radial tires. placed on the tires Del Worsham, Matt Hagan used by drivers is and Greg Anderson won their extraordinary, and 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag the heavy stock cars Racing Series championships on create application Goodyear bias-ply tires. NHRA responsive with better wear. difficulties not seen elsewhere in Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series We’ve added new materials and the automotive world. Sportsman champs Duane Shields a stiffer construction package to “We save teams money in many ( ), Lou Ficco Jr. the design.” forms of racing with our bias-ply (Competition Eliminator) and Peter The tires can be used by SCCA tires,” Stucker said. “At the same Biondo (Super Gas) did the same. racers in the C Sport Racing, D Sport time, we can’t stop the research

16 ConStruCtion

and design effort. This is a very RACE TIRE STICkER DATA Eight-Digit competitive business and Goodyear Barcode Identifier Every new Goodyear race tire is has a proud history of producing delivered with a tire label. Spring Rate Number successful bias-ply racing tires.” Tire Size tire diameter, tread width Most drag racers blast down the and bead diameter strip on bias-ply tires. One example Product Code is Goodyear’s D2681, the rear tire Tire Classification Tire D Code that propelled Matt Hagan to the identifies mold, construction and compound combination; first sub-four second pass in NHRA also found on tire sidewall Funny Car history in 2011. Sequence Number identifies tire production sequence The D2681 help s Funny Cars Other markings on the race tire (not shown) include: F, H or X indicating type of final quality and Top Fuel dragsters accelerate inspection. Two colored dots indicate the optimal match mounting position for the tire and wheel. to speeds in excess of 300 miles per hour over a span of 1,000 feet. NASCAR TIRE CUTAWAY The tires grow and change shapes Tread Compound while gripping the track surface. helps provide grip to the race track

“I would argue that these are Carcass Plies some of the most advanced tires helps provide load carrying capability in the racing world,” said Goodyear’s Belt Package Inner Liner helps control serves as an inner tire to help support Bryce Jones, marketing manager footprint shape the race car if the outer tire is punctured at high speeds for drag racing. Bead Apex interface between helps control sidewall stiffness The same can be said for the the tire and wheel Rim built to help accommodate dirt track tires Goodyear builds for inner and outer tires sprint car drivers around the country. The stresses and loads placed PASSENGER TIRE CUTAWAY on tires in the broadsliding sport require tremendous technical Tread Compound aids traction and wear advancements from a tiremaker. in varying driving conditions At Goodyear, bias-ply racing Tread Pattern helps provide traction capabilities tires aren’t a thing of the past. They represent the cutting edge Carcass Plies help provide resilience and of racing technology and a program load carrying capability which continues to drive forward. Belt Package Bead Apex helps control footprint interface between in some ti res, a sid ewall insert to enhance shape and generate the tire and wheel steering response during cornering cornering power

17 DRIVING EXCELLENCE –1,000 FEET AT A TIME

The ear-splitting, ground drag racing applications. “Our D2681 rear tire for the fuel shaking world of drag racing has “The engine that drives our categories (Top Fuel and Funny been an important part of Goodyear programs is our development Car) and the D2200 (for ) Racing’s legacy for decades. Most process,” said Greg Stucker, have been successful tires,” said important milestones in the straight Goodyear’s director of race tire Bryce Jones, Goodyear’s sales line sport have been accomplished sales. “It has always been that way account manager for drag racing. on Goodyear tires – and records because the drag racing business But while the tires Goodyear are continually being broken. is so dynamic. Teams find ways builds for the professionals make Because Goodyear’s development to generate new power and more headlines, the company is also program evolves on racing’s cutting top end speed every week and heavily involved in the Lucas Oil edge, the company consistently we have to make sure our tires are Drag Racing Series for Sportsman builds tires capable of providing grip the right ones for that application.” racers, where tiremakers compete for the intense forces generated by Goodyear continues in 2012 as head-to-head. the 9,000 horsepower cars of racing’s the exclusive tire provider for the stars In the Sportsman world, Goodyear fastest machines, the Top Fuel and of the National Hot Rod Association’s leads the way with innovations. Just Funny Car rockets of the National premiere categories, the Full Throttle ask 2011 Sportsman champs Duane Hot Rod Association. Drag Racing Series Top Fuel, Funny Shields (Top Alcohol Dragster), On September 16, 2011, driver Car and Pro Stock classes. Lou Ficco Jr. (Competition Eliminator) Matt Hagan made the first sub-four and Peter Biondo (Super Gas). second, 1,000-foot pass by a Funny New for 2012 is Goodyear’s Car in NHRA history. And he made D4463 offering for the Competition his mark on history with a set of Eliminator and Super Stock category Goodyear Eagles. cars. The D4463 is the third tire in The development process is Goodyear’s new drag radial line of an important part of all Goodyear’s larger radial tires. The first two tires in 18 the line, Goodyea r’s this tire perform in both elapsed time and top speed. D4459 and D446 1, well across They represent a major development .” made successful a variety of The D8 tread compound is debuts in 2011. atmospheric among the newer members The D4463 conditions of Goodyear’s list of compounds. measures and race car It has proven to be very effective 33 inches tall and applications.” under racing conditions. The D4463 14.5 inches across The D4459 is the latest in Goodyear’s line of the tread face. It mounts on a measures 31 inches by 13.5 inches drag racing tires. 15-inch wheel. Like its previously and the D4461 is 32 inches by 14.0 introduced brethren, the D4463’s inches. Like the D4463, these tires construction includes Goodyear’s mount on 15-inch rims. D8 tread compound. “In our testing and under racing “This is a fast tire,” Jones said. conditions, we have seen that these “It’s for cars in the Competition tires can produce gains of eight Eliminator and Super Stock classes hundredths of a second or more,” that want to go fast. We have seen Jones said. “The tires show gains

BIONDO AND GOODYEAR: A WINNING COMBINATION

The toughest thing Peter Biondo did during the combination. But after 2011 racing season wasn’t winning a specific round or careful consideration he beating a specific opponent. It wasn’t making a perfect changed to an 1,100 jump from the starting line in a key race. horsepower engine, believing A frequent national champion, he’d certainly done that he’d need the change all that before. to win the title. That required No, the remarkable thing he did late in the 2011 Biondo use a different tire, season was change from one engine package to another Goodyear’s D1022. in the midst of a national championship run in the NHRA “I’d never run on the 1022 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series’ Super Gas category. It before,” Biondo admitted. “But was a change that also forced Biondo to switch from I switched in t he middle of a one Goodyear Eagle Dragway Special to another on championship run. I have the rear of his 1963 Corvette Roadster. confidence in Goodyear, period.” “I’ve won six national championships and 14 divisional The D1022 measures 34.5 inches tall and 17 inches championships,” Biondo said. “Ever since day one, I across the tread face. The D2532 is 33.5 inches tall and have raced on Goodyear tires. I have faith in you guys.” 17 inches wide. Both tires mount on 16-inch rims and The change worked. Biondo, of Queens, N.Y., is the have Goodyear’s D2A tread compound. 2011 Super Gas champ. Biondo won races on both tires in 2011. Biondo started the season with an 800-horsepower As Peter Biondo will tell you, winners race on power plant in the Corvette, using Goodyear’s Goodyear tires because Goodyear has a tire for every D2532 drive tire on the rear axle. It was a successful drag racing application. 19 GOODYEAR IMPROVES SPORTS CAR OFFERINGS FOR 2 01 2

The design, development and production pace at Goodyear’s Innovation Center in Akron, Ohio is always brisk. But lately that pace has been moving at, well, racing speeds in the sports car arena. For 2012, Goodyear Racing will enter new racing series, introduce new constructions for existing programs and supply products to new areas where growth is expected. “We always try to anticipate changing demands,” said Steve Petrescu, Goodyear’s sales account manager for sports car racing. Goodyear will introduce a new line of tires in its bias-ply line for 2012, featuring the tiremaker’s Aramid construction. The new line includes fitments for Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) competitors in the C Sport Racer, D Sport Racer and classes. The new tires have a stiffer sidewall construction, are more responsive to driver input and have enhanced wear characteristics.

20

“We’ve always been competitive in the open wheel classes,” Petrescu said. “But this new construction is a dynamic step forward.” Tires featuring the new construction will also be supplied to the new Formula 1000 Championship Series, which begins competition in 2012. Goodyear is the series exclusive tire supplier. Goodyea r’s role as the exclusive tire supplier for the Star Mazda Star Mazda program since the community, Goodyear has developed Championship presented by series began operations in 1991. a more robust rain tire for those cars. Goodyear also continues in 2012. The Star Mazda Championship “This is a multiple-use rain tire,” The sanctioning body conducted presented by Goodyear sanctions Petrescu said. “A lot of the teams races at some of the best-known requested a rain tire with a longer facilities and oval life and we’ve built it. This tire will tracks in North America. The help reduce difficulties created when Championship has become a the cars go out on career destination series for many a track that is only partially damp, drivers, while at the same time where track conditions dry gradually.” becoming a recognized step in the Goodyear’s Eagle RS line of development of drivers wanting to DOT radial tires also has new rain reach road racing’s highest levels. offerings, with four new sizes of rain For many of those drivers, the tires being added for 2012. The new an extended testing program on Championship is the first line is designated the Eagle RSR. various car components during the opportunity to race on radial tires. Those same Eagle RS and Eagle off season, since the cars continue Goodyear is also the exclusive RSR tires will be available in the to evolve. During testing, the tire supplier for one of the SCCA’s historically strong segment of solo sanctioning body elected to keep most populous classes, Spec Racer racing and autocross events, along the same radial tires Goodyear Ford, and there is a new offering with a new line specifically aimed at supplied last season. Goodyear for the SRF teams in 2012. At the solo programs across the country. has been the tire supplier for the request of teams in the SRF Continued on page 22

21 SPORTS CAR OFFERINGS, CONTINUED

different tread compounds for the Trans Am name famous. front and rear tires.” cars will be NASCAR-type stock The Porsche Cup offerings were cars. Group 3 is for the Porsche In solo racing, cars are allowed a natural outgrowth of Goodyear’s Cup-type sports cars. on the track one at a time and race status as the exclusive tire supplier Goodyear’s vast racing heritage only against the clock. There are for the SCCA Trans Am Series. The positions the company as the perfect plenty of sanctioning bodies and tiremaker provides both radial and tiremaker to successfully supply a classes in this form of racing. bias-ply tires for the wide variety of program as varied as Trans Am. “We’ve also developed a new tire competitors in Trans Am. package for the Porsche Cup series, ” Trans Am’s is for the Petrescu said. “The Porsche Club program’s traditional cars, such as of America has a terrific program and Mustangs, Corvettes, Jaguars and our new package includes tires with others that historically made the

kIESEL RACES THE CLOCk

Give some race drivers an edge and they’ll give class. Powered by a turbocharged rotary engine, the car you a fast lap, or maybe win a race. Give California’s develops up to 400 horsepower and weighs 1,800 pounds Jeff kiesel an edge and he’ll win a championship. with the driver seated behind the steering wheel. kiesel, the Sports Car Club of America national The car was difficult to drive until, following the champion in the E Modified class of Solo Racing, has recommendation of a friend, kiesel obtained a set a big edge: Goodyear tires. of Goodyear tires as a trial. “The compound is critical because you only get “All of the car’s bad habits went away,” kiesel said. three laps, one at a time,” kiesel said. “You get to walk “It wasn’t the car, it was the other tires we were using. the track, but you can’t drive it.” Now we don’t have any of that stuff happening.” Most of the solo racing venues are in stadium kiesel’s streak of five Solo2 National Championships parking lots or non-functioning airports where the and five Pro Solo National Championships puts him in course is marked by cones. elite company among racers, but not within his own Typically, the races are family. Shawn kiesel, Jeff’s wife, owns four national titles two-day events where the and his father, Mark, finished second at the national course is changed overnight championship event in 2009. and drivers are allowed three And the racing genes don’t end there. Jeff and Shawn laps per day. Cars are on the have two children who race karts. track one at a time, racing Jeff kiesel said Goodyear Racing’s customer service only the clock. has been important to his championship run, citing kiesel drives a 1958 Austin Darryl Duncan and Jim Dowdy of Carroll Shelby Racing Healy Sprite in the E Modified for their assistance.

22

RUMAN RACES INTO HISTORY

“If you put something on my car and it says of the car with my hands in the air,” she said. “It was Goodyear on it,” said sports car racing veteran Amy the last race for that car.” Ruman, “I’ll make something happen.” The car, a Chevrolet Corvette, is the same one her father bought and started racing in 1994. Ruman has won in SCCA regional competition, but her win was a milestone victory. She became the first woman to win a Trans Am race and was named to the 2011 American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters All American team. Both the car and its drivers have used Goodyear radial and bias-ply tires through the years. Ruman has performed testing duties for Ruman, a four-time Sports Car Club of America the tiremaker as well, helping Goodyear’s development Northeast GT-1 champion, celebrated her biggest process. That familiarity with the tires, Ruman said, has victory in 2011 after winning her first Trans Am race. helped her as a driver. Goodyear is the exclusive tire supplier for Trans Am, but “We squeeze every mile out of a set of tires, I’ll tell Ruman has raced on Goodyear tires her entire career. you that,” Ruman said. “Sometimes that will help “I’ve just done well with them,” Ruman said. because, on a hot Trans Am track with a car that heavy A second generation racer, Ruman raced in lighter, and that powerful, you need to know how your tires are open wheel cars before moving into the going to react and perform. I know the Goodyears will so-called heavy iron of the powerful Trans Am/GT-1 perform well.” class. The victory came at Road Atlanta, during a So how has the victory changed Amy Ruman? Has season in which Ruman felt she was close to winning it lifted a weight off her shoulders? Of course not. She’s several times. a racer. Ruman took the checkered flag on pit road after “I want the Trans Am championship now,” Ruman said. a track-blocking crash ended the race early. She “I want to go beat (Trans Am champion) Tony Ave.” celebrated immediately. Naturally. But Ave races on Goodyear tires, too. “I jumped out of the car and stood on the side Looks like another good year for Trans Am.

23 GOODYEAR CONTINUES TO LEAD IN THE DIRT

Goodyear’s role as the key three different tire supplier in the broad sliding, compounds. dirt-throwing world of winged sprint The same tires car racing continues in 2012, as the used by the Outlaws tiremaker supplies the best-known are also supplied touring series and most influential to touring series and tracks in the sprint car world. tracks around the country. That over the country and internationally. Most prominent is Goodyear’s includes sponsoring the biggest race He raved about the tires his series position as the Official Tire of the in the sport, the Goodyea r knoxville used in 2011 – especially World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. Nationals, at in Goodyear’s “100” compound. Goodyear exclusively supplies Iowa. The summer classic attracts “Out here on the West Coast, the tires for the Outlaws and has racers and fans from every corner ‘100’ is the (compound) you want to similar agreements with other of the sprint car world. run with,” kaeding said. “We’ll put a sanctioning bodies. “Obviously, Goodyear gets a lot of ‘200' on the car occasionally if there “It’s a dynamic environment,” exposure at the knoxville Nationals,” is rubber down, or if the track is really said Justin Fantozzi, Goodyear Fantozzi said. “The race is a huge heavy in order to free the car up some. Racing’s marketing manager. “The stage for us to help build brand But the ‘100’ is a tire that is capable Outlaws teams race several times recognition because it draws so of lasting through the night and it will a week on a wide variety of track many fans from every corner of the stay with you at the end of the night.” sizes and dirt surfaces. Everywhere country and around the world. We Goodyear’s commitment to building they go there’s a solid group of local also supply tires for the weekly the best tire for every application racers waiting for a chance to race program at the track. Our goal, also led to the development of a against the touring series stars on obviously, is to win races one day slightly different right rear tire for the tracks the locals know really well. and sell consumer tires the next.” Oil Capitol Racing Series. The competition is extraordinary.” For the 2012 season, Goodyear “The demands are different for Goodyear supplies up to is also supplying tires to touring the OCRS cars, so we worked with 17 tire codes at WoO races. series such as the All Stars Circuit the teams to create a different right At any given event, Goodyear of Champions, United Sprint Car rear tire,” Fantozzi said. “This business supplies one size tire on the right Sanctioning, Golden State king of is about service, so we built a tire rear corner of the car with four the West Series, Oil Capitol Racing for their needs.” different tread compounds. On the Series, Northern Outlaw Sprint That’s why Goodyear’s service left rear, Goodyear makes four sizes Association and Cajun Sprinters. leads the industry. available, most with four different Tim kaeding, the 2011 king of compounds. Front tires come in the West champion, has raced all

24 RACIN G’ S WEEkEND WARRIORS RELY ON GOODYEAR

They can be found in every corner race cars. The 14-inch tire mounts West, Canadian Tire Series and of North America – wrenching and on smaller cars, many which are NASCAR Mexico. Because the welding for days on end, aiming at the front wheel drive and generate less k&N and Canadian series share a one day of the week when they go horsepower than the short track common rulebook, teams can race racing. They work in home garages, cars Goodyear typically outfits. interchangeably, confident that seldom have sponsors and race “We continue to develop our they’re already familiar with the for the sheer love of competition. product lines each year to better Goodyear rubber. Many teams are They are short track racers: serve the short track industry,” said affiliated with NASCAR Cup teams the grassroots backbone of the Scott Junod, Goodyear’s sales account and are part of NASCAR’s Driver racing business. And they’re more manager for short track racing. “We Development Program. numerous than racers in any other listen to the promoters and teams “Our relationship with NASCAR form of the sport. during the process and that input is is an important part of Goodyear very important to Goodyear.” Racing,” said Greg Stucker, Tires made for the late model Goodyear’s director of race tire stock cars of the American sales. “It goes beyond what the fans Canadian Tour (ACT) fit both touring see at the superspeedways where series competitors and weekly we work with the NASCAR Sprint racers at tracks in the northeastern Cup, Nationwide and the Camping U.S. and southeastern Canada. World Truck Series. We’re also Goodyear is the exclusive tire committed to NASCAR’s regional Goodyear’s long-standing provider for the ACT, its sister series programs and many of the weekly determination to equip short track in Canada, the Serie ACT Castrol programs we supply are part of racers with superior performing tires and the Bond/Auto Wix Tiger Tour. NASCAR’s weekly track program.” has made it an industry leader for Goodyear also supplies tires for Goodyear is also the exclusive decades. The same development the United Auto Racing Association’s tire provider for the National Dirt process that effectively engineers Southern Touring Asphalt Racing Racing Association’s Late Model tires for the top series of NASCAR Series (UARA-STARS), a super late and Modz (modifieds) national and NHRA also generates exceptional model series that has become one championship programs, as well as tires in short track racing . Goodyear of the most popular series of its kind winged sprint car programs at tracks builds tires for teams that race in the southeastern U.S. such as knoxville Raceway in Iowa. at the same track, both paved and On the other end of the short The wide range of racing tracks, unpaved, every week and for teams track spectrum are NASCAR’s four surfaces and car types in the world competing on regional tours. New development series spanning of short track racing requires a great for 2012, Goodyear has developed across North America – the k&N deal from a tiremaker – and a tire for entry-level, four-cylinder Pro Series East, k&N Pro Series Goodyear proudly delivers. 25 kEY POINTS IN GOODYEAR RACING HISTORY

19 01 Goodyear’s first foray into racing, and its 1974 first victory, came when Henry Ford put Firestone withdrew from all forms of racing. Goodyear rubber on his car sponsored by the Detroit Driving Club. 1978 The tire war began between Goodyear 1916 and in Formula One racing. Goodyear launched its first serious race tire development program. Cars equipped with Goodyear Cord Tires began dominating U.S. racing circuits. 1960 1919 Goodyear won its first international sports cars Goodyear tires were on the winning car race with Maserati driver Stirling Moss at the in every major race this year, including the Grand Prix of Cuba, and won the Daytona 500 . . 1963 1922 A.J. Foyt persuaded Goodyear to authorize Having accomplished its goals and faced a development program for the Indy 500, with economic uncertainty, Goodyear dropped after a 44-year absence. out of active racing participation. 1980 1964 Goodyear’s Eagle tire replaced Blue Streak 1954 Foyt won the Indy Car season’s first race as the official designation for its racing tires. The company’s high-performance passenger Goodyear conducted tire tests at Darlington, (Phoenix) on Goodyear racing tires. tires also adopted the Eagle name. S.C., for the NASCAR Convertible Series. The featured Goodyea r tire was the Police Special. Goodyear won the 24 Hours of Le Mans Formula One race tire production moved to It marked the unofficial re-entry into racing. with Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant in a Akron, Ohio, from Wolverhampton, England. GT Cobra. Goodyear withdrew temporarily from Formula 1965 One racing from December 1980 to June 1981. Twelve Indianapolis 500 cars ran on Goodyear tires, starting the Indy Car phase 1982 of the tire war with Firestone. Since the startup of the NASCAR Nationwide (formerly Busch) Series in 1982, all the Goodyear developed the crashworthy fuel champions have won on Goodyear Eagles. cell for Indianapolis-style cars, to reduce the risk of fire. 1983 Goodyear won its first Formula One World Goodyear’s radial rain tire for Formula One Championship title. cars introduced at the Monaco Grand Prix, featured a unidirectional “Gatorback” 1966 tread pattern. Goodyear produced its Lifeguard Inner Liner 1957 Safety Spare for NASCAR stock car racing, 1984 Goodyear asked NASCAR drivers Lee Petty referred to as the “tire within a tire.” NASCAR Goodyear introduced its radial slick tread tires and Darel Dieringer to do limited race tire mandated its use. Goodyear shared its tire safety to Formula One. The first radial victory was testing in West Palm Beach, Fla. technology, even in the throes of a tire war. at the Belgium Grand Prix. 1958 1967 Michelin withdrew from Formula One racing. The company’s official re-entry into racing. A.J. Foyt rolled into Victory Lane at the Indianapolis 500 on Goodyear tires – 1987 the company’s first Indy 500 win since its Hoosier, a Lakeville, Ind., racing tire 1959 re-emergence in racing. company, competed with Goodyear in the At NASCAR’s Darlington race, Goodyear NASCAR Nationwide Series. went head to head against Firestone. Driver Jim Reed finished first on Goodyear tires. 1968 Since 1968, every NASCAR champion 1988 of the premier Sprint Cup (formerly Nextel, Hoosier entered NASCAR Sprint Cup racing. Winston Cup and Grand National) has been A Hoosier win at Richmond, Va., stalled on Goodyear tires. Goodyear’s Cup win streak at 464.

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1989 1998 2004 Goodyear introduced the Goodyear introduced its wet racing tire Goodyear celebrated 50 non-stop years at North Wilkesboro, N.C. – and Dale for NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series of NASCAR involvement. Earnhardt won the race. Hoosier soon and Craftsman Truck road course events. withdrew from NASCAR’s top tier. Goodyear linked its Wrangler light truck and After 368 victories and 25 Drivers’ World SUV tire marketing to NASCAR racing by Championships in Formula One, Goodyear stamping the brand on the sidewalls of the 1991 resigned as a tire supplier after the Craftsman Truck Series tires. Goodyear’s tubeless version of the inner 1998 season. liner safety spare, or shield, was introduced. It eliminated the innertube and most tire 2005 air equalization. 1999 Goodyear marked the Eagle tire brand’s 25th Goodyear left open wheel racing’s CART anniversary, for both race and street tires. and IRL series. In the four-year IRL history, 1992 Goodyear earned two driver titles, two tire Goodyear introduced its Short Track Special 2006 manufacturer titles, two Indy 500 wins and An industry racing Eagle for asphalt tracks and launched 17 total victories. new yellow-lettered Eagle race tires for first, Goodyear Sprint Cup. employed 2001 RFID Goodyear was named the sole tire supplier to technology on 1993 the NHRA’s Top Fuel and Funny Car classes. a production Every race on the Sprint Cup schedule ran scale to track on the new breed of Goodyear Eagle radial tires under a racing tires. Bias-ply tires were relegated new leasing to the history books. program in NASCAR’s top The Aquatro wet weather tire was three series. introduced in Formula One. All race tire production is under one roof 1994 at the Akron Innovation Center complex. Hoosier returned to Sprint Cup and Nationwide racing, but withdrew at the end 2009 of the season. Goodyear developed a new NASCAR 2002 wet weather tire with a tread pattern Goodyear reached two milestones: the 300th During its return to NASCAR North Series, based on the popular Eagle F1 All Season victory in Formula One at Barcelona, Spain, and Goodyear tires helped set 11 track street tire. It is run for the first time in a the 300th consecutive victory in Indy Car at qualifying records. NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Circuit Vancouver, B.C. 2003 Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal in August. 1995 Goodyear became the sole supplier to Celebrated its 1,500th NASCAR Sprint the new NASCAR Grand National Division’s Cup victory, by at Michigan Goodyear was the sole tire supplier to four in August. top racing series, all with open tire rules: West and Busch North series. Formula One, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Production of bias- ply tires for sports, 2010 NASCAR Nationwide and NHRA drag sprints and drag racers returned to the Akron Became the “Official Tire” of the World racing’s top classes. Innovation Center Manufacturing Plant from of Outlaws series. The 1,000th Goodyear Sprint Cup victory Goodyear’s Santiag o, Chil e, plant. was reached in April by at Bristol. Grand-Am’s new sports 2011 In competition with on the Indy car class competed solely on Goodyear Extended contract with NASCAR as the Car circuit, Goodyear won 15 of 17 races, radials. “Official Tire Supplier” of all three national including the Indianapolis 500. touring series through the 2017 season.

Ended the season with a running total 1996 of 1,585 victories in the NASCAR The Indy Racing League was formed, Sprint Cup Series. splitting from CART. Goodyear continued to battle Bridgestone in both series. 1997 In April, Goodyear became the “Exclusive Tire Supplier” for NASCAR’s top three series.

27 2011 GOODYEAR RACING CHAMPIONS

Tony Stewart,

NASCAR’s 2011 Sprint Kent Prather Matt Hagan Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Greg Pursley Tim Kaeding SCCA GT Lite Champion NHRA Full Throttle NASCAR Nationwide NASCAR K&N Pro Series Golden State King of the Cup champion, Funny Car Champion Series Champion West Champion West Series Champion receives his third SPORTS CAR RACING Goodyear Gold Car naSCar Champions Star Mazda Championship at NASCA R’s Sprint Cup Series – presented by goodyear Nationwide Series – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. National – Tristan Vautier year-end banquet Camping World Truck Series – Austin Dillon Expert – J.W. Roberts k&N Pro Series East – Max Gresham in December. The k&N Pro Series West – Greg Pursley presented by goodyear Canadian Tire Series – Scott Steckly Goodyear Gold Car, West Coast Pro Formula Mazda – Lloyd Read Mexico Series – German Quiroga a 24-carat gold replica 2010-2011 Winter Series – Frank Cusack West Coast Region Pro Formula Mazda – Lloyd Read of the Sprint Cup SHORT TRACk Formula Mazda – Peter Workum Southwest Region Formula Mazda – Darryl Wills American Canadian Tour – Brian Hoar champio n’s car, is hand Midwest Region – Jason Vinkmuller Serie ACT Castrol – Patrick Laperle Southeast Region Formula Mazda – Ty Young engraved each year by Bond Auto/Wix Tiger Tour – Derrick O’Dennell NASA National Champion – Darryl Wills UARA-STARS – Brennan Poole artist Michael Dunlap, dirt racing SCCa Champions who has been sculpting World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series – Jason Meyers GT1 – Michael Lewis Golden State king of the West Series – Tim kaeding GT3 – John Black the award since 1985. Oil Capitol Racing Series – Sean McClelland GT Lite – kent Prather Goodyear Presents the United Formula Mazda – Darryl Wills Sprint Car Series – Terry Gray Spec Racer Ford – Richard Spicer All Stars Circuit of Champions F Production – Steve Sargis National Champion – Tim Shaffer H Production – Greg Gauper Great Plains – Tim Shaffer Southern Pacific Divisional Formula Ohio Region – Tim Shaffer Atlantic – Vince Gaddini Northern Outlaw Sprint Association – Casey Mack Cal Club Region Formula S – Renny Damon Interstate Racing Association – Billy Balog Cajun Sprints – Lane Whittington MOTORCYCLE RACING National Dirt Racing Association Late Models – Ron Parker aMa flat track Modz – kyle Strickler Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Expert Twins – Jared Mees DRAG RACING Expert Singles – Sammy Halbert Combined GNC – Jake Johnson nhra Champions Pro Motorcycle Superstore.com Full Throttle Series Pro Singles – Michael Martin Top Fuel – Del Worsham Funny Car – Matt Hagan Pro Stock – Jason Line Lucas Oil Series Top Alcohol Dragster – Duane Shields Competition Eliminator – Lou Ficco Jr. Super Gas – Peter Biondo

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2012 RACiNG MEDiA GuiDE

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Corporate Overview Goodyear employs approximately 73,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 54 facilities in 22 countries around the world.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company 1144 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44316 Photography available upon request, or by visiting the Goodyear website at goodyear.com/media or www.racegoodyear.com or www.ciastockphoto.com (username: goodyearmedia, password: racetires) Produced by Goodyear North American Tire Communications Department, Akron, Ohio – February 2012