Goodyear is the latest Akron-based company to give the All-American Soap Box Derby a boost. Goodyear has contributed $30,000 to the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby organization, earmarked for $5,000 college scholarships for each of the six divisional winners in the annual championships at Derby Downs.

The awards will become the Goodyear Champion’s Scholarships.

FirstEnergy recently signed on as the first title sponsor of the Soap Box Derby in years.

News Release from the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby

“Goodyear is delighted to partner with the Soap Box Derby in granting these scholarships to the boys and girls who win their divisions,” said Faith Stewart, Goodyear’s director of community affairs. “Goodyear and the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby are both integral parts of the Akron community, and our company is proud to recognize the accomplishments of the youngsters competing here from all over the world.”

The 75th running of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby will be Saturday, July 21, at Derby Downs.

“The Soap Box Derby organization is grateful for the support of Goodyear, which enables us to enhance our total scholarship awards by 50 percent,” said Joe Mazur, president and chief executive officer of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby.

Youngsters ages 7 through 17 earn the right to compete in the championship finals in Akron either by winning the local Soap Box Derby in their home communities or by accumulating points in rally races held throughout the country. Scholarships are presented to the top three finalists in Stock, Super Stock and Masters divisions in both categories of competition.

When Soap Box Derby officials announced in late March that Akron-based FirstEnergy Corporation is the organization’s new title sponsor, Mazur said he hoped FirstEnergy’s involvement would encourage additional sponsorship support.           

"The Soap Box Derby is gaining renewed momentum, as the program reaches more youngsters in more racing communities,” Mazur said. “The support of companies such as FirstEnergy and Goodyear is critical to our continuing growth.”