NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and IndyCar have announced that Bridgestone Americas’ Firestone brand will remain the sole tire supplier to the IZOD IndyCar Series through the 2018 race season.
Firestone has supplied tires to the IZOD IndyCar Series since the league began in 1996, and this announcement confirms the Firestone brand’s participation in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2016. As part of the partnership extension, the Firestone brand will increase its commitment to and investments in the series to help maximize the growth potential of the series.
The expanded agreement begins in 2014, and includes tires and technical support, investments in advertising, event promotions, at-track signage, hospitality, race title sponsorships and other programs. Specific details of the agreement and relationship will be announced next year.
The title sponsorship and official tire status of the Firestone Indy Lights series will run through 2013.
The IZOD IndyCar Series 2013 schedule includes 16 tracks with doubleheader race weekends at Belle Isle Park in Detroit; in Toronto, Canada; and at Reliant Park in Houston, Texas.
In addition to the partnership with the IZOD IndyCar Series, the Firestone brand will be the official tire of the race season kickoff – the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif.
In keeping with tradition, Firestone will remain the Official Tire of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Firestone also will continue as the title sponsor of the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway in June.
