The oldest Goodyear Blimp is "coming down to Florida to retire," and will "take its final ride Sunday during the Daytona 500," according to Skyler Swisher of the Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL. For the past 14 years, the "Spirit of Goodyear -- based in Akron, Ohio -- has logged more than 41,000 hours in the sky, carried celebrities, provided stunning views of some of the most exciting events in athletics and elicited countless shouts from spectators of 'Look, it's the Goodyear Blimp.'” The Spirit of Goodyear on Sunday will be "accompanied by its sister airship the Spirit of Innovation, which is based in Pompano Beach." After the checkered flag drops, the Spirit of Goodyear will be "disassembled, and the helium that keeps it afloat will be recaptured." Goodyear is "hoping to find a museum to display the airship's gondola, which hangs underneath the blimp and carries the crew." The company also is "working with the Guinness Book of World Records to apply for the record of longest continuously operated airship." The tire company is "building a faster and more agile airship to replace the Spirit of Goodyear that will be able to accommodate more passengers." The company "maintains a North American fleet of three airships" (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 2/19).
