Goodyear honors U.S. military with custom tires

AKRON, Ohio (May 20, 2016) — Goodyear, the official tire of NASCAR, will customize its Eagle race tires this month for all NASCAR races at the Charlotte Motor Speedway to support U.S. Armed Forces.

Goodyear's race tires will sport a “Support Our Troops” message on the sidewall instead of the usual “Eagle” logo, the tire maker said. NASCAR will kick off its annual military tribute, "NASCAR: An American Salute," leading up to the Coca-Cola 600 on May 29.

“Support for the military is part of the fabric of our company,” said Stu Grant, Goodyear's general manager of global racing.

“Goodyear's rich history of making tires for the U.S. Armed Forces is a source of pride for our associates — especially the many that have served — and these tires are a reflection of our deep respect for all Military branches.”

Goodyear has more than 100 years of history building tires and equipment to help support and protect U.S. troops and is the largest producer of military tires in the U.S., the firm said.

The company recently was recognized as a "military-friendly employer" by G.I. Jobs magazine for its leadership in hiring and supporting veterans. In 2014, Goodyear surpassed a three-year goal of hiring 1,000 veterans and since then has renewed the commitment to hiring another 1,000 veterans over three years.