- Bridgestone announces its Firestone brand will remain the
sole tire supplier for all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, including the
Indy 500.
- Firestone will also continue as the entitlement partner and
official tire supplier for INDY NXT by Firestone, as well as an
official partner of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- The agreement reinforces collaboration
between Bridgestone and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to help advance
developments towards sustainable racing innovation.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone Americas
(Bridgestone) and Penske Entertainment today announced a long-term
extension to Firestone's role as the exclusive tire supplier of all
INDYCAR-sanctioned racing. The agreement will keep Firestone as the
sole tire supplier for all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, the INDY NXT
by Firestone developmental series, and the annual Indianapolis 500®.
Firestone is currently in its 25th consecutive season
as the exclusive tire supplier for the series. The extension
reinforces Bridgestone's ongoing commitment to driving
innovation through motorsports. The Firestone brand continues its
rich history in open-wheel racing, dating back more than a
century.
"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 CEO, Bridgestone Americas.
"We believe motorsports are the ultimate challenge for premium
performance and a proving ground for advancing in our goals towards
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."
Through the Firestone brand, Bridgestone has worked closely
with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and partners across the paddock to help
advance developments in more sustainable racing. Bridgestone
incorporated certain materials made from hard-to-recycle plastics
and palm oil waste residue in Indy 500 race tires in 2023 and 2024.
The company has also used guayule-derived natural rubber in the
sidewall of alternate race tires the past two seasons.
Bridgestone's motorsports initiatives are aligned with the
company's long-term sustainability goals. They also demonstrate
alignment with INDYCAR's efforts to work towards making the sport
more sustainable.
"Our relationship with the team at Bridgestone continues to set
an industry standard for success and innovation," said Roger Penske, Chairman of Penske Corporation.
"Firestone has been a foundational partner for our sport, from the
very first Indy 500 to now, playing an integral role in the
development of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and its highly competitive
racing. We're extremely proud to carry this long-term partnership
forward into a very exciting and productive future together."
The long-term extension includes Firestone's role as presenting
sponsor and sole tire supplier of the top-tier development series,
INDY NXT by Firestone. The brand signed as presenting sponsor of
INDY NXT in 2023 to help the sport develop the next generation of
racing talent and engage new audiences. The agreement also renews
Firestone's status as official partner and tire supplier of the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the largest spectator sporting
facility on the planet.
The announcement reinforces Bridgestone's investment and
commitment to its workforce in Northeast
Ohio. All Firestone Firehawk race tires are designed and
manufactured at the Bridgestone Advanced Tire Production Center
(ATPC) in Akron. The facility
opened in 2022 across the street from the Bridgestone Americas
Technology Center (ATC). This proximity allows the Firestone Race
Tire Engineering team to work side-by-side with other tire
engineers to transfer insights from racing into other innovation
workstreams.
In addition to providing tire technology and on-track support,
Firestone will continue its role as a key partner in the marketing
and promotion of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone.
The brand's comprehensive, season-long activation features fan
engagement, sponsorships and signage at multiple venues. It also
includes robust social and digital media programs, traditional
media, and hospitality.
Bridgestone motorsports activities are leveraged globally as
co-creation platforms to help deliver the values of the Bridgestone
E8 Commitment. This corporate commitment outlines eight areas where
the company is focused on contributing to a more sustainable world.
The ongoing relationship with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES supports the
values of emotion, energy, ecology, and empowerment.
For more company news, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com
About Bridgestone Americas,
Inc.:
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based
subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and
rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and
sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs
more than 50,000 people across its worldwide operations.
Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and
advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the
way people around the world move, live, work and play.
About INDYCAR:
INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for
North America's premier open-wheel
auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental
series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an
international field of the world's most versatile drivers –
including two-time and reigning series champion Alex Palou, two-time series champion
Will Power, six-time series champion
Scott Dixon and two-time series
champion and two-time Indianapolis
500 winner Josef Newgarden – who
compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and
permanent road courses. The 2024 season consists of 17 races in
the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic
Indianapolis 500 presented by
Gainbridge. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske
Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports
leader. For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,
please visit www.indycar.com. For more information on INDY NXT by
Firestone, please visit www.indynxt.com
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SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.