The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has launched the Goodyear Garage, an interactive consumer attraction and a Web site where race fans can bid on driver memorabilia and win prizes.
A large 50' x 60' garage-themed structure, which will be present at four separate races this year, serves as an interactive museum, highlighting Goodyear's new products and innovation as well as its racing achievements.
In addition to the structure, Goodyear has created www.goodyeargarage.com. The Web site allows fans to delve into Goodyear's 50-year racing history with NASCAR (the company is NASCAR's longest-running sponsor) and offers consumers the chance to win racing-related prizes, bid online for driver memorabilia and enter to win a new vehicle customized by each of four participating drivers: Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman and Kevin Harvick.
"We wanted racing fans to take a look into Goodyear's history and our involvement with racing in a unique arena," said Jon Rich, president of Goodyear, North American Tire. "With Goodyear Garage, fans can learn about Goodyear's products and innovation while also registering to win some terrific prizes with the help from a few racing friends."
The four drivers kicked off the program at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Mark Martin is the first featured driver whose personal items will be available for bidding on GoodyearGarage.com. Autographed racing gloves, racing shoes, a signed trading card and personalized die cast model are some of Martin's donated auction items. Proceeds from Martin's online auction will benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp (www.victoryjunction.org).
Kahne, Newman and Harvick also will donate personal items for auction on GoodyearGarage.com, with all proceeds benefiting the charity of each driver's choice. In addition, Goodyear will be donating an additional $25,000 to each driver's charity.
At the launch, Goodyear executives presented Kyle and Pattie Petty with a check for $25,000 for the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
Martin also is the first to unveil his customized vehicle -- a 2005 Ford Explorer -- that can be won by entering the Goodyear Garage sweepstakes at Lowe's Motor Speedway or online at GoodyearGarage.com.
Meanwhile, www.goodyeargarage.com is the only way to bid online for these drivers' items year round.
