Firestone will remain the exclusive tire supplier for all IndyCar events thanks to a new long-term agreement between Bridgestone America and Penske Entertainment.
The specifics of the deal, announced on Thursday, were not disclosed. However, it will ensure that Firestone continues as the sole tire provider for all IndyCar races, the INDY NXT developmental series, and the Indianapolis 500. Firestone is finishing its 25th consecutive year as IndyCar’s tire supplier with the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway coming up on Sunday.
Paolo Ferrari, the executive chairman and CEO of Bridgestone America, noted that Firestone has been involved in top-level racing since it won the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
Ferrari said, “We believe motorsports are the ultimate challenge for premium performance and a proving ground for advancing in our goals towards sustainable innovation.”
He added, “Our relationship with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has been a critical part of these efforts, and we are proud to keep driving forward together.”
Bridgestone has used its Firestone brand to test and develop new tire materials in collaboration with IndyCar and other partners. Recently, they used materials from hard-to-recycle plastics and palm oil waste for tires in the last two Indianapolis 500 races.
They have also incorporated natural rubber in the sidewalls of alternate race tires over the past two seasons.
Roger Penske, chairman of the Penske Corporation, said that Firestone has been a key part of racing from the beginning, and this new deal extends their “long-term partnership” into the future.
Penske added, “Our relationship with the team at Bridgestone continues to set an industry standard for success and innovation.”
