![GoodyearSOTtire](/images/j2xml/c4b8cbc8e0d40727e7a2bd97d6928ea2.jpg)
And to help answer that call Support Our Troops created two "Unity for Victory Race Tires." One for Iraq. One for Afghanistan.
The Iraq tire bears the signatures of all 43 of the Nascar drivers who drove on thehistoric Goodyear Support Our Troops® Tires in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races over the July 4th holiday weekend at the Daytona International
Speedway.
The drivers' signatures represent the support of civilians here at home who acknowledge and appreciate what the troops are daily doing for all of us abroad.
Now the troops in Iraq are signing the same "Unity for Victory Race Tire", alongside the names of those drivers, to symbolically bind the American people, civilian and soldier, together in solidarity.
The 1st Infantry Division in Southern Iraq has custody of the "Unity for Victory Race Tire" and is moving it throughout the region to be signed by troopers in various locations.
"Our men and women are thrilled to be part of something both important and fun. And knowing the people at home are with us makes all the difference in the world and boosts morale as we do our work" said MSG Matthew.
"It means so much to us to have the support and loyalty of fellow Americans at home. Seeing such large-scale organizations as Goodyear and Nascar participate in the Support Our Troops Campaign to say "Thank You" sends a positive and powerful message. Those two simple words mean a lot more to a Soldier serving overseas than most people understand." SFC Jake.
The Iraq tire is sister to the Unity for Victory Race Tire which was choppered throughout Southern Afghanistan by the 82nd Airborne in late July and is now back in the U.S.
Together, the two Unity for Victory Race Tires form an integral part of the collection of Goodyear Support Our Troops Race Tires, autographed by Nascar drivers and raced during the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series over the July 4th holiday weekend at the Daytona International Speedway. Those autographed tires were auctioned through the Nascar Foundation and raised $23,000 for SupportOurTroops.Org.
The two Unity for Victory Tires will not be sold. Said Martin C. Boire, Chairman of Support Our Troops, Inc, "It is intended they will travel America to various events as a reminder that we have a moral obligation to step up for the troops the way they step up for all of us. A visible location will likely be chosen where the Unity for Victory Tires will be on public display when not traveling."
"It is entirely possible that these two tires will become icons with meaning far beyond their initial conception."
The "Unity for Victory" Tire will be in Iraq for about two weeks, choppered around to the troops in various difficult and demanding locations to give them the chance to sign it.
The auction and Afghanistan and Iraq "Unity for Victory" race tires are part of a broader campaign announced by Support Our Troops®, Goodyear and Nascar at a press conference at the Nascar Media Center on July 1, 2010. For the first time in history, all Goodyear Racing Eagle tires raced in the Nascar Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races over the July 4th holiday weekend were rebranded with Support Our Troops in red white and blue on their sidewalls. That historic branding kicked off a widespread initiative to benefit U.S. troops.
Said Martin Boire, "Thanks to Goodyear Tire, this is the start of something very big and very good for the troops. It encourages all Americans to join together to expand and strengthen the unbreakable bond of affection and loyalty that we share for our deployed troops. And we look forward to ever-increasing positive good works for them in the future."
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