In a major announcement on Wednesday, it has been revealed that the tire supply deal between IndyCar and Firestone has been extended until 2025.
The partnership between the premier open wheel series of North America and Firestone has been extended for another 5 years, as the brand will stay in the business with IndyCar as well as the Indianapolis 500.
Jay Frye, the president of IndyCar added: “Firestone has long been a great INDYCAR partner and is making a huge investment to the NTT IndyCar Series with its new facility in Akron,”
“This extension also reflects Firestone’s commitment to helping to shape INDYCAR’s paddock-wide, five-year plan.”
Firestone shares history with the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar that goes back a long way in time. It was Ray Harroun, who won the very first Indy 500 in 1911, with Firestone tires rolling his car.
The most recent win with a Firestone at IMS came at the 2018 Indy 500, as Will Power in his Penske crossed the brickyard. It marked the 69th victory for Firestone as a tire supplier, twice as many as any other brand in the history of the series.
Philip Dobbs, the CMO of Bridgestone said: “Champions have relied on Firestone tires for more than a century, and racing has always been the ideal proving ground for new technologies that help us evolve and advance our company’s passenger tire offerings,”
“As the NTT IndyCar Series continues gaining momentum, we are introducing new fans to the Firestone brand and strengthening our relationship with the drivers who use our durable, dependable Firestone tires.”
With a 5 years extension in partnership, Bridgestone also announced that, it will be constructing a new plant in Akron, Ohio. The new facility will be used to manufacture the Firestone racing tires in future.
The existing facility of Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC) will also be renovated.
Canadian driver James Hinchliffe, who is a 6 times IndyCar race winner, also tweeted and mentioned the emphasis on safety by Firestone. He stated: "There are few elements that have had a bigger effect on safety and the quality of racing than our tires. Thanks for the commitment and the great tires."
“I started driving on Firestone tires 55 years ago, and they were on my car for the 1969 Indianapolis 500 when I took the checkered flag,” said Mario Andretti, who is a former F1 and IndyCar champion.
“The trust I have always placed in Firestone was cemented that day 50 years ago when I drove on the same right rear tire for the whole race – and it never let me down.
"Firestone has always been a dependable partner, and I am excited to see its partnership with INDYCAR continue into the future.” he said.
The 2019 IndyCar season will kick-off with the first race at St. Petersburg on March 10th. The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is also sponsored by Firestone.
The official pre-season test will take place at Circuit Of The Americas (COTA), on the outskirts of state capital Austin, Texas. The test will last 2 days from February 12th to February 13th with all the teams and drivers present.
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