Goodyear Offers NASCAR Experiences and Scholarships

As the exclusive tire supplier of NASCAR's three largest series, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. unveiled the Goodyear Racing and Diversity Program, an initiative the company started to provide high school students with a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the many career paths offered through the sport of NASCAR.

The program, offered in six areas including Daytona Beach, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit and Dover (Del.), will provide more than 60 interested minority students annually with a graduated program of at-track experiences, internships and ultimately, the opportunity to receive one of six scholarships to help continue their education, the company said.

As part of the announcement, Goodyear introduced its first two race weekend internship recipients, Eboni Washington and Rodrigo "Rod" Bernal. Eboni and Rod, both seniors at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, will work in their fields of interest with established professionals on Feb. 16 leading into the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race and on Feb. 17 leading into the 50th running of the Daytona 500.

"Goodyear is proud to offer deserving high school students a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the wide variety of career opportunities available through the sport of NASCAR," said Kris Kienzl, NASCAR marketing manager at Goodyear. "Thanks to our longstanding, uninterrupted involvement with NASCAR, we are able to provide an inside look at career paths from engineering and design to marketing and promotions, with mentors from all over the sport, whether from NASCAR, individual race teams, tracks or Goodyear."

In its first year, the Goodyear Racing and Diversity program has already provided more than 60 high school students from across the country the chance to experience NASCAR first-hand and receive a behind-the-scenes look at a NASCAR race. Students participating in these events had to maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and be in good standing in their school and local community to become eligible to apply for race-weekend internships. Once selected, students are paired with one or more ‘mentors’ in career areas of interest to them for two, six-hour days of work. Those students who complete their race- weekend internships are then eligible to apply for one of six scholarships, including five $2,000 awards and one $30,000 scholarship to be used toward their continuing education.

"Eboni and Rod were selected on the strength of their school records and extra-curricular activities as well as the recommendations of their teachers," added Kienzl. (Tire Review/Akron)

Discount Tire & Service Centers has a new sponsorship deal with the Los Angeles Angels for the 2024 season. Discount Tire said this partnership will not only benefit its customers with season-long promotions and giveaways but will also support local non-profits.

"We're thrilled to launch this strategic partnership with the Los Angeles Angels," said Sergio Andonian, president, Discount Tire & Service Centers. "As neighbors, from Anaheim, we are dedicated to serving our local communities and providing quality tire & automotive service at the most competitive prices. Together, we look forward to making a positive and lasting impact in the communities. Add baseball to the mix, and with this winning combination, the possibilities are endless."