DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 5,2002) – Two American racing traditions have united as NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) announced today a multi-year partnership with the All-American Soap Box Derby.

The All-American Soap Box Derby, a national property with grassroots applications that was founded in 1934, will benefit from the relationship through NASCAR’s media awareness and resources. NASCAR, along with potential partners in the program, will gain from the outstanding reach to families and children that the All-American Soap Box Derby provides as the most established youth and family racing organization in the United States.
"The All-American Soap Box Derby is a long-standing American tradition that possesses many of the core values of NASCAR including teamwork, the spirit of competition, perseverance and sportsmanship," said NASCAR President Mike Helton, who participated in All-American Soap Box Derby competition as a child growing up in Bristol, Tenn. "We look forward to working with Goodyear and assisting the All-American Soap Box Derby in its mission of instilling in today’s youth its core values and, on a grassroots level, helping nurture some of the nation’s future racing stars."

The All-American Soap Box Derby, based in Akron, Ohio, is looking forward to working with NASCAR after enjoying so much success with one of its partners, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. The AASBD maintains a strong relationship with Akron-based Goodyear, which also possesses a long-standing and successful partnership with NASCAR.

"With its success and visibility, NASCAR provides an outstanding opportunity for the All-American Soap Box Derby to further its growth in the future, both promotionally and sponsorship-wise," All-American Soap Box Derby Executive Director Tony DeLuca said. "We possess similar traits and values and it is great to see two All-American racing traditions working together for the betterment of our youth."

The All-American Soap Box Derby will become part of NASCAR’s Youth Program initiative, which was established to expose America’s future generation to the motorsports industry, and more specifically NASCAR, and its numerous opportunities. NASCAR’s Youth Program initiative also includes the Diversity Summer Internship Program and Urban Youth Racing School.