Bridgestone announced on Wednesday that Firestone will remain as the exclusive tire supply to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for years to come after signing a multi-year contract extension.
The news which was announced in Nashville ahead of this weekend’s season-ending Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Super Speedway sees Firestone continue as the entitlement sponsor to the INDY NXT championship while also extending their sponsorship of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500.
Speaking about the news, Paolo Ferrari, Executive Chairman and CEO of Bridgestone America commented saying:
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. “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.
Roger Penske, Chairman of Penske Corporation commented saying:
Our relationship with the team at Bridgestone continues to set an industry standard for success and innovation. “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