NASHVILLE, Tenn. — NASCAR — the U.S.-based racing circuit that has had a nearly 70-year affiliation with Goodyear — has awarded the tire maker's outgoing CEO, chair and president with its top award.
Last week, NASCAR Chair and CEO Jim France awarded the Bill France Award of Excellence to Kramer, who recently announced he will retire from Goodyear in 2024 after a 14-year stint as lead executive at the firm.
France recognized Kramer's leadership and contributions to the sport as Goodyear CEO.
The Bill France Award of Excellence has been awarded just 38 times since its inception in 1953. Goodyear received the award in 1965 and in 1971.
According to Goodyear, the stock car racing circuit and Goodyear share the same values of competition and innovation.
"I'm completely humbled by this acknowledgement," Kramer said at the awards ceremony. "The team you see at the track each weekend — anything I'm acknowledged for is due to them. Goodyear is a long-term partner of NASCAR because we share many values."
Goodyear recently developed the 18-inch Goodyear Racing Eagle tire used on NASCAR's NextGen stock car. Last June, Goodyear equipped its tires with real-time tire intelligence capability for the NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 entry at the24 Hours of Le Mans.
Goodyear helped to support NASCAR for the return to competition during COVID-19.
"Rich Kramer and his team at Goodyear have been critically important to NASCAR during a period of challenges, change and growth," France said.
"From their COVID response to help in our return to the racetrack, to the collaboration in the design of the Next Gen race car, to their partnership in bringing NASCAR to the world's stage at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rich and Goodyear have been extremely valuable partners and friends."
France noted that Kramer received the award " for his vast contributions to our great sport."
The NASCAR Awards and Champion Celebration was held at the Music City Center on Nov, 30, in Nashville.
Kramer, 60, joins Jimmie Johnson (2020), Joe Gibbs (2019), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2017), Rick Hendrick (2009), Jack Roush (2001), Darrell Waltrip (2000), Richard Petty (1987) and Richard Childress (1986) as winners.
In May, Goodyear embraced NASCAR's "Throwback Weekend" festivities at Darlington Raceway with a sidewall script design that echoes the original Wingfoot logo from 1900. The special design was a nod to NASCAR's 75th season and Goodyear's 125th anniversary as a corporation.
The Akron-based tire maker is in its 69th year with NASCAR. It has been NASCAR's sole tire supplier since 1997.
