IndyCar signs long-term extension with Firestone

IndyCar has signed a long-term extension with tyre supplier Firestone.

Contract:

• Firestone will continue as the exclusive tyre supplier for all IndyCar-sanctioned series
• Extension includes the continuation of its title sponsorship of Indy NXT
• Agreement also renews Firestone’s status as official partner and tyre supplier of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Context:

Firestone is in its 25th consecutive season in partnership with IndyCar. During its time with the series, the Bridgestone subsidiary has focused on promoting sustainable practices. The brand developed the guayule tyre, manufactured from natural rubber derived from the guayule desert shrub, which requires less reharvesting than traditional sources of rubber.

Firestone also deployed sustainable tyres produced from recycled plastics across the entire Indianapolis 500 event in 2023. This came about through collaborating with fellow IndyCar partner Shell.

Comment:

“At Bridgestone, motorsports are our passion – always have been and always will be. This is particularly true for our Firestone brand, which has been part of world-class racing since winning the first Indy 500 in 1911,” said Paolo Ferrari, executive chairman and chief executive of Bridgestone Americas.

“We believe motorsports are the ultimate challenge for premium performance and a proving ground for advancing in our goals toward sustainable innovation. Our relationship with the NTT IndyCar Series has been a critical part of these efforts, and we are proud to keep driving forward together.”

Coming next:

This contract was signed at Firestone’s Nashville headquarters ahead of this weekend’s season finale at the Nashville Superspeedway.

Go deeper:

• Inside the deal: How IndyCar is working with Shell and Firestone to fuel its sustainability drive
• IndyCar CEO Mark Miles on the Fox media rights deal, expanding into new markets, and plans for an international series