INDIANAPOLIS – The Indy Racing League (IRL) and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) have announced an agreement under which the Firestone brand will assume title sponsorship of the Indy Racing League’s official development series and re-establish the series name as Firestone Indy Lights.
Firestone Indy Lights is the premier ladder series for drivers and teams striving to compete in the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. Run in conjunction with the IndyCar Series, the Firestone Indy Lights’ 16-race schedule features eight races on road courses/street circuits and eight races on ovals, including the famed 2.5-mile circuit at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Carburetion Day. Teams compete for nearly $4 million in prize money in cars that are second only in speed to the IndyCar Series at most tracks they visit.
For 11 seasons BFNT served as title sponsor and exclusive tire supplier to the series. Firestone and Dayton brands headlined the Indy Lights Championships from 1991 to 2001.
The multiyear agreement officially renames what has previously been the Indy Pro Series to Firestone Indy Lights, effective immediately. Drivers will continue to compete for the Firehawk Cup awarded annually to the season champion. Firestone also maintains its status as Official Tire for Firestone Indy Lights, as well as the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. In addition, the Firestone Indy Lights event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 23 becomes the Firestone Freedom 100.
The complete Firestone Indy Lights schedule is telecast on ESPN2 in High Definition and available through live Webcasts.
For more information, visit: www.indycar.com/indylights.
