Whenever I see a photo from a NASCAR or NHRA race, I always look at the same thing: the tires. Seeing that big, gold 'Goodyear' lettering on the sidewall is a real thrill for me and for everyone at Goodyear. When anyone sees our name on the tires it's impossible to miss that connection between Goodyear and racing. We make it possible for these outstanding drivers to thrill fans around the country every weekend.

But that bright lettering -- and the tire itself -- is in many ways a symbol. It represents years of technology and innovation, keeping pace with the evolution of the cars themselves. It stands for all the men and women who have a passion for racing, for designing the best possible products to deliver performance in a variety of conditions.

It represents the thousands of people who work at tracks every weekend -- stacking, mounting, balancing and inspecting our racing Eagles or Wranglers. Whether at big tracks or local ovals, these tires are touched by more Goodyear hands than anything else.

Finally, that name on the sidewall represents our brand to consumers. When America's top racing circuits trust their drivers on Goodyear, it helps everyday drivers to feel confident in their own Goodyear passenger tires.

That's because when it comes to racing, Goodyear is more than simply a sponsor. We are a performance colleague. NASCAR, the NHRA and other series rely on Goodyear's performance to operate effectively and deliver those down-to-the-wire thrills year in and year out. We are extremely proud of our association with the sport.

This is a special year for Goodyear's racing operations as we join Daytona International Speedway in its celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Daytona 500. We're thrilled to have been a part of this great event since the beginning, and are looking forward to seeing the big, gold 'Goodyear' sidewall lettering in the Daytona winner's circle -- and at many other tracks -- for years to come.