Goodyear announced an award Friday and named Daytona International Speedway as its first recipient. The Goodyear Heart of Racing Award will be presented annually to a group or individual in motorsports for exceptional humanitarian efforts. A panel of national motorsports journalists will select winners. The Daytona track was chosen for its assistance in fire-fighting efforts in Central Florida. The track’s July 4 race was postponed until Oct. 17 because of the fires, and it allowed firefighters to use the track’s facilities and also served as a command post. As part of the award, Goodyear donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund on the track’s behalf.(That’s Racin’) (08-01-1998)
