BNS: Goodyear named sole tire supplier

AKRON, Ohio (March 20, 2002) - The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will be the sole tire supplier for NASCAR's Busch North Series for the next two seasons.

The series is one of the most popular in the NASCAR Touring Division. The cars are nearly identical to those used in the Busch Series, Grand National Division, but the Busch North Series races primarily in the Northeastern United States.

"The addition of the Busch North Series means Goodyear is the sole tire supplier for seven NASCAR series," said Stu Grant, general manager, global racing tires. "Our relationship with NASCAR is important to everyone at Goodyear."

During the 2002 season, the Busch North Series will compete in 19 races across eight states. The SPEED Channel cable television network will carry seven of those races via tape delay.

"The exposure for our brand name that the Busch North Series offers is important to every division of our company," said Greg Stucker, director of racing tire sales and marketing. "The series has a tremendous following in that part of the country."

Goodyear conducted a tire test for Busch North Series cars at Hickory Speedway recently. Cal Lint, marketing manager, contract sales, said the response from teams involved with the test was very positive.

"They were all very, very confident, in spite of the cold temperatures we experienced, that they could use these tires on bullring-type tracks like Hickory," Lint said. "Every comment has been very positive about Goodyear supplying tires for the Busch North Series."

The Busch North Series begins its 2002 season April 21 at Lee Speedway in Lee, NH.

-goodyear racing-