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Goodyear, Performance Enthusiasts Agree: NASCAR is Golden

20 January 2000

The new Eagle #1 NASCAR performance tire is expected to fortify Goodyear's exclusive tire supplier status in NASCAR's top three racing series

    LAS VEGAS -- The world's largest tiremaker announced today that its 
"officially licensed by NASCAR" tire will feature a bright gold NASCAR logo on 
the sidewall to emphasize their "long and mutually beneficial relationship."

    Goodyear's Eagle #1 NASCAR tire is intended to fortify its exclusive tire
supplier agreement with the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing and
leverage NASCAR's growing popularity.  Last August, Goodyear and NASCAR
previewed a tire concept with a decidedly subdued black NASCAR logo, but has
since decided to make the NASCAR "glow" in bright gold.

    "We wanted to make the NASCAR logo more prominent," Bob Toth, marketing
manager for Goodyear high-performance tires, said.  "The bright gold NASCAR
logo really 'pops' on the sidewall -- just like Goodyear and Eagle.  Race fans
will love the look."

    The tire made its debut here today at Goodyear's annual dealer conference.
Retailers will begin selling the tire in their stores in the spring.

    For those who prefer a more understated look, the reverse sidewall
features the Goodyear Eagle #1 name and NASCAR logo in a stylish black design.

    The new Eagle #1 NASCAR street tire supports a 1997 agreement that made
Goodyear the exclusive tire supplier for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, the
NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Toth said.

    NASCAR is the fastest growing entertainment venue in the country and has
more television viewers than any sport except football.  It hosted 17 of
20 best-attended sporting events last year and has completed negotiations on a
six-year, $2.4-billion deal to broadcast races on Fox, NBC and TBS.

    Mike Helton, NASCAR senior vice president and chief operating officer,
said, "We have a unique relationship because Goodyear is a very critical
supplier.  The Goodyear name on the race tires gives the drivers confidence."

    Toth said the new street tire "takes our partnership to a new level and
targets the booming performance market.  NASCAR fans are very loyal, and the
new Eagle #1 tire will allow them to fly the NASCAR colors between races."

    "We're proud to have Goodyear join our roster of top brands in the
aftermarket," said Steve Boguski, director of automotive aftermarket for
NASCAR.  "Goodyear's strategy to take the NASCAR name right to the point of
purchase is exciting."

    NASCAR's Officially Licensed automotive aftermarket program, developed in
1996, now includes 20 licensees incorporating 32 categories of aftermarket
products.  It was developed to create new avenues of promoting NASCAR and its
leading manufacturers through a powerful marketing program entitled - NASCAR
Garage.  This program incorporates a national weekly television show on TNN, a
daily radio show on MRN, a quarterly magazine by Babcox Publishing and a
dedicated section on NASCAR Online, the official internet site of NASCAR.

    In addition to the Eagle #1 performance tire, NASCAR also licenses
Goodyear Gatorback automotive belts.  The tire, to be manufactured at
Goodyear's tire facility in Union City, Tenn., will be available in sizes
P205/65R15, P205/55R16, P235/55R16 and P225/60R16.  Four additional sizes will
be announced later.