DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.,
Feb. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In
celebration of his return to racing at this Sunday's Daytona 500,
Dale Earnhardt Jr. donned a Goodyear
Blimp pilot uniform and took a different kind of lap in the
Goodyear Blimp on Wednesday, surprising a U.S. military veteran
with the experience of a lifetime.
Earnhardt Jr., who missed 18 races last season while recovering
from a concussion, will get behind the familiar wheel of his "88"
car Sunday seeking his third Daytona 500 victory on the confidence
of Goodyear tires. But it was an altogether different
experience sitting at the controls of the iconic Goodyear
Blimp.
"This was such a cool day – being able
to co-pilot the Goodyear Blimp and connect with a fan
who has so honorably served our country," said
Earnhardt Jr. "I'm proud to be involved with Goodyear. Ever
since we started working together, I've wanted to ride in the
blimp, so this was a great experience that I will never
forget."
With weather less than ideal in the Daytona Beach area Wednesday, the blimp was
limited in flight and only got off the ground for a few
minutes. But the day was all about Paul Siverson, a Vietnam and Gulf War veteran who served in the
military for 30 years. Siverson describes Earnhardt as his "first,
second and third favorite NASCAR driver."
Coupled with his Earnhardt Jr. fandom, it was Siverson's
dedication to NCServes, a non-profit organization that provides
comprehensive services to veterans, service members and their
families, that made Siverson the perfect candidate for the surprise
ride with NASCAR's most popular driver.
In honor of soldiers like Siverson, the Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Company donated $10,000 to
NCServes with Earnhardt Jr. on hand for the check
presentation. In addition to the blimp flight, Siverson will
receive access at Daytona Speedweeks including tickets to the Great
American Race on Sunday.
Goodyear has more than 100 years of history building innovative
tires and equipment to help support and protect U.S. troops and is
the largest producer of military tires in the country. The tire
manufacturer has helped build more than 150 blimps for the U.S.
Navy and continues to recognize the skills of veterans through a
robust hiring program and was recently recognized with the
Secretary of Defense Freedom Award.
"We're honored to celebrate the return of Dale Jr. to NASCAR and
recognize an American hero like Paul," said Seth Klugherz, Goodyear's director of
North America marketing.
"Connecting American icons NASCAR and the Goodyear Blimp to provide
an experience for a military veteran is a natural way to extend
Goodyear's unwavering support to the U.S. Armed Forces."
Tune-in to watch the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.
ET on FOX, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and MRN.
Fans can visit http://www.Goodyear-NASCAR.com to find photos and
videos of Earnhardt Jr. surprising Siverson and their blimp
ride.
About Goodyear
Goodyear (NASDAQ: GT), founded in 1898
in Akron, is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs
approximately 66,000 people and manufactures its products in 48
facilities in 21 countries around the world. Its two Innovation
Centers in Akron, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art
products and services that set the technology and performance
standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and
its products, go to www.goodyear.com.
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SOURCE Goodyear