AKRON, Ohio, May 23, 2013 -  Goodyear Transforms NASCAR Tires for Memorial Day Race Weekend and Launches Charity Auction to Benefit Support Our Troops^® Continuing its long history of supporting the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, exclusive tire supplier of NASCAR™s three major national series, is waving the green flag on the fourth annual â'Goodyear Gives Back' charitable program benefitting the Support Our Troops^® organization. To launch this year's program, Goodyear will again transform its race tires by replacing the 'Eagle' and 'Wrangler' sidewall design with desert camouflage lettering that reads 'Support Our Troops' on all NASCAR tires used during Memorial Day Weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The commemorative tires are one of a number of initiatives that are planned as part of this year’s program, which includes the launch of www.Goodyear.com/GivesBack, a charity auction featuring autographed NASCAR memorabilia and VIP experiences, along with at-track activities and multiple opportunities for racing fans to participate, all to benefit the Support Our Troops^® organization. Memorial Day Weekend is a time for all of us to reflect on the incredible sacrifices soldiers and their families make every day to protect our freedom, said Gary Melliere, Goodyear™s general manager of sponsorships. Goodyear is proud to continue its longtime support of the military with this program, and we hope all NASCAR fans will join us in helping to raise funds for this great cause. Fans can personally get involved in this year's Goodyear Gives Back program by visiting www.Goodyear.com/GivesBack to bid on authentic Goodyear NASCAR tires autographed by the drivers who used them, as well as other unique items including VIP motorsports experiences and memorabilia, and rides on the iconic Goodyear Blimp.

All auction proceeds go directly to Support Our Troops^®, and Goodyear will match the funds raised through the charity auction up to $50,000.* “We hope that fans will join us in our support of the military through this charity auction at www.Goodyear.com/GivesBack, where along with bidding on exciting items, fans are able to support a really great cause, said Kris Kienzl, Goodyear's NASCAR marketing manager. “We encourage fans everywhere to help spread the word to family and friends by directing them to visit the Goodyear Gives Back site and get involved.â€Â During the program, which runs through July 8, 2013, consumers can also make direct donations to Support Our Troops^® through the Goodyear website and purchase Goodyear Gives Back merchandise through the auction link (while supplies last). Support Our Troops^® is a nonprofit nationwide organization that works to bolster the morale and well-being of America's troops and their families by delivering over $20 million per year in care packs and requested items to the front lines, providing positive support at home, kids camp assistance and more. The Goodyear Gives Back program has played a very important role over the years in helping to raise awareness and funds to better the lives of U.S. Armed Forces and their families, said Martin C. Boire, Executive Director of Support Our Troops. 'We want to thank Goodyear and NASCAR for continuing to give racing fans a fun opportunity to support our service men and women through this program'. To date, the Goodyear Gives Back program has raised more than $700,000 in cash and product donations that have gone directly to supporting the troops and their families.

This year’s program launch is part of a strong effort made by the racing community to show its support of the military this Memorial Day race weekend, including NASCAR's launch of the second-annual “NASCAR: An American Saluteâ€Â initiative, an industry-wide effort to honor and celebrate the service of the United States' current Armed Forces members, veterans and their families. Goodyear is also supporting Charlotte Motor Speedway's Patriot Partners bus sponsorship program, which is bringing thousands of troops to Charlotte Motor Speedway for 54th running of the Coca-Cola 600 from Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. and Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C. “Goodyear continues to be a great NASCAR partner as we unite to honor the sacrifices of the men and women who serve in the U.S. military,â€Â said NASCAR President Mike Helton. “We hope that the Goodyear Gives Back program, in conjunction with the NASCAR “An American Saluteâ€Â initiative, will continue to encourage NASCAR fans to express how thankful we are for those who serve our country and their families, while also raising money to help support them. To continue its show of support for the military, representatives from Goodyear, NASCAR and a group of volunteers teamed up at Charlotte Motor Speedway to fill care packages for the troops with personalized “thank you cards and other essential items donated by Goodyear and NASCAR sponsors and partners. Through its official NASCAR partnership, UPS Trackside Services is providing shipping and managing the delivery of the care packages from Charlotte to active duty troops in Kuwait and Afghanistan. Goodyear, the largest producer of military tires in the U.S., has a longstanding history with the U.S. Armed Forces, with more than 100 years of commitment to building innovative and reliable tires and equipment to support and protect our troops. Goodyear's commitment extends beyond products and charitable donations; priding itself on hosting events at U.S. military bases throughout the year, bringing service men and women and their families a chance to interact with drivers and take rides on the Goodyear Blimp.

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 is the No. 1 spectator sport with more of the top 20 highest attended sporting events in the U.S. than any other sport, and is the No. 2-rated regular-season sport on television.  NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in 20 languages.  NASCAR fans are the most brand loyal in all of sports, and as a result more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. NASCAR consists of three major 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 (FL), NASCAR has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Charlotte (NC), Concord (NC), Conover (NC), Bentonville (AR), Mexico City, and Toronto.

About Support Our Troops^® SupportOurTroops.Org provides simple constructive ways for citizens and community minded businesses to show their patriotism and appreciation for those who sacrifice so much to protect our country, our homes, our families, and our American way of life. The official SupportOurTroops.Org website is a nationwide platform for individuals, organizations, businesses and non-profits to bolster America's troops and their families in a multitude of ways. It is a moral covenant with those who serve to protect us and our families. SupportOurTroops.Org is a resource that was not available to previous generations of troops, which now stands as a permanent living testament to the affection, gratitude and loyalty good Americans hold for those who do so much for all of us every day.

About Goodyear. Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies.  It employs approximately 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 52 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 or its products, go to www.goodyear.com. Consumer purchases of Goodyear tires will not affect the total contribution to charity.Support Our Troops^® is a registered trademark licensed through SupportOurTroops.org. See Participating Retailer for complete details.