Tag: Firestone

IndyCar Series Oval Testing Tuesday and Wednesday

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Four today and two tomorrow. Today and Wednesday at IMS the IndyCar series will conduct two separate tests on the oval.

Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren and Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing will run a swingle day Firestone tire test. ECR’s Alexander Rossi and Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s Takuma Sato will begin a two-day parts evaluation.

I like that a couple of the teams not normally included in tests are getting to participate.

The turn 2 mounds will be open for fans during the scheduled 9 am- 5 pm test.

Pre-Race Notes: Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway

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From Firetsone:

The Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend takes place at “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet ” in Newton, Iowa, and features three races on the 0.875-mile oval; Two NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, the “Synk 275” and “Farm to Finish 275” doubleheader, as well as an INDY NXT By Firestone race.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES

Firestone will supply approximately 1,800 Firestone Firehawk race tires for practice, qualifying, and the pair of 275-lap (245.85 miles) races. Notably, the race distance for both events has been extended by 25 laps from last year.

Qualifying for both races will take place Saturday, July 12, with the first race of the doubleheader, the “Synk 275”, set for later that afternoon, and the “Farm to Finish 275” to take place on Sunday, July 13.

Each NTT INDYCAR SERIES entry will receive the following Firestone Firehawk race tire allocation:

  • 13 sets of tires per entry
  • One additional set of non-race spec tires designated solely for use in highline practice

Notes from Cara Krstolic, Director of Race Tire Engineering and Manufacturing:

Following the June test at Iowa Speedway, we conducted a full analysis of the data collected, and in partnership with INDYCAR, made the decision to build a new right-front race tire. This tire features a slightly revised construction to better handle the extreme loads experienced during the test session. A similar construction has been used successfully at Iowa Speedway in previous races.

The left side tires are the same construction and compounds as the Indianapolis 500 with a smaller stagger from last year at Iowa to help drivers run multiple lines during the race.

The right-side tire compounds remain unchanged from last year, as they performed well in managing the heat generated by Iowa Speedway’s high speeds and temperatures.

INDY NXT by Firestone

Firestone is providing close to 300 race tires for practice, qualifying and Saturday afternoon’s 75-lap (67.05 miles or 55-minute) INDY NXT by Firestone race at Iowa Speedway.

Each INDY NXT by Firestone entry will receive the following race tire allocation:

  • 3 sets per entry

Notes from Cara Krstolic, Director of Race Tire Engineering and Manufacturing, on INDY NXT by Firestone tires:

The INDY NXT by Firestone oval tire for Iowa Speedway features a similar right-side tire design to last year but with a lighter tread gauge. Both right side tires will have the same compound specifications as in 2024 at Iowa. The left side tires have the same construction and compounds as last year.

INDYCAR Announces Race Tire Rule Update for Sonsio Grand Prix

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    Firestone alternate tire

    From IndyCar. An interesting rule change for next weekend.

    INDYCAR has announced an update to the race tire usage requirements for the Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on Saturday, May 10.

    For the race, teams will be required to use:

    • Two sets of alternate compound tires (one more than previously required)
    • Two sets of primary compound tires (one more than previously required)

    There are no requirements in terms of new (sticker) sets of tires used in the race. The two completed laps needed to satisfy the tire requirement rule, where one (1) lap must begin once the Green Flag has been displayed to the Race Leader (Rule 15.3.3.2.3.) for each of the four sets (Rule 15.3.3.2.) remains in effect.

    The update strives to ensure an all-out, driving on the limit, thrilling and entertaining product for fans and generate even more strategic challenges for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series. Additionally – working with Firestone – the current, standard event weekend road and street circuit tire allocation that began this season (five sets of primaries and five sets of alternates) was contemplated with this tire requirement format option in mind. The tire allocation for the IMS road course, the only two-day road and street circuit event on the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule, remains unchanged at five sets of primaries and four sets of alternates.

    “INDYCAR is continually looking into ways to improve an already extraordinary on-track product,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “Firestone is a terrific partner, and their higher degradation alternate tire has given strategists plenty to think about on road and street circuits this year. We expect this update will challenge teams and drivers even more.”

    In an additional move to ensure more robust on-track activity during the Sonsio Grand Prix event, Practice 2 on the IMS road course will be adjusted from a limited green flag guarantee of 45 minutes to 35.

    Following the event on the IMS road course, INDYCAR will review both updated procedures and evaluate its use for future races.

    Coverage of the Sonsio Grand Prix, round five of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship, begins at 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday, May 10 on FOX, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network. The first practice of the weekend is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET Friday, May 9 and can be seen on FS2.

    The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES event is the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst on Sunday, May 4. Coverage begins at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

    Long Beach Preview

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    The 2025 Long Beach weekend is one I have been anticipating since my last visit to southern California since my last trip in 2022. Sunday’s Indycar race marks 50 years of racing on the streets of this city by the sea.

    It is the 41st race IndyCar. The first race was Formula 5000 event in 1975, followed eight years of Formula 1. How special is this place? Formula 1 tried to return a few years ago and was rebuffed by the city and the grand prix owners. NASCAR turned an eye toward staging a race here as well.

    IndyCar resolved the issue by buy the late Kevin Kalkhoven’s half of the franchise. Since by law only one weekend a year can be used for a race in the streets, it is solely for IndyCar as long as they wish.

    The third race of the 2025 season should play out much like the St. Pete opener, although there are a couple of added twists.

    Longer Race

    The race distance is now 90 laps, up from 85 the past few years. How will the new distance affect fuel strategy? Can someone still make it on two stops? And if fuel isn’t the question mark, tires certainly will be.

    Changing Colors?

    Firestone will bring the same compound to Long Beach that was used at St. Pete. We can assume high wear on the alternates. IndyCar has returned to the new allotment formula of five sets of primaries and five sets of alternates.

    Long Beach has traditionally been a race for the alternate tires, but with the alternate rubber’s shorter life this year, is this now a race favoring the primary tires?

    Kyle Kirkwood said in the media conference that it is too soon to tell

    “In the past, it’s typically been a red tire race. That’s
    obviously going to change now, considering it’s the same
    tire as St. Pete. That’s really the only question mark we
    have in our minds right now. We need to get through the
    first practice to know exactly how bad or good it’s going to
    be.”

    Palou Goes for Three

    Alex Palou has a chance Sunday to match teammate Scott Dixon’s feat in 2020 of winning the first three races of the season. I say he will not win this weekend.

    Andretti Global looks to be reasserting their street course dominance. Both Colton herta and Kyle Kirkwood have each won at Long Beach. Look for one of them to be in Victory Lane after 90 laps.

    IMSA

    A highlight of Long Beach is the IMSA event which accompanies the IndyCar race. Saturday’s 100-minute race has some added interest for IndyCar fans.

    Robert Wickens makes his return to major league motorsport, driving a Corvette in the GTD class. Wickens won several races and the championship in the Michelin Pilot Challenge.

    It will be a thrill to watch him race at this high level again. I have a feeling some fans who use the IMSA race time to just walk around the track will be watching this race.

    Firestone To Continue as NTT INDYCAR SERIES Exclusive Tire Supplier through Long-Term Extension 

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    It is always good news to hear Firestone is staying.

    From IndyCar:

    Highlights-

     Bridgestone announces its Firestone brand will remain the sole tire supplier for all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, including the Indianapolis 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 toward sustainable racing innovation.

    INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024) – 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 presented by Gainbridge.
    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 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.”
    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 toward 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 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, Tennessee, 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.