Firestone will continue to play a pivotal role in the NTT IndyCar Series for several years after agreeing to a major extension with Penske Entertainment.
According to a press release, Firestone will continue to be the sole tire provider for all NTT IndyCar Series races, which move to Fox Sports next season. The tire company will remain the sponsor of the Indy NXT by Firestone developmental series. Additionally, Firestone will continue to present the annual Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
According to Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, this extension takes Firestone and Penske into the next decade.
“Firestone has been a foundational partner for our sport, from the very first #Indy500 to now."@FirestoneRacing will continue to serve as official partner and tire supplier of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. pic.twitter.com/duIrTFbBxc
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) September 12, 2024
"At Bridgestone, motorsports are our passion -- always have been and always will be," said Paolo Ferrari, executive chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Americas, in a statement. "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."
As part of this partnership, Firestone will continue working with the NTT IndyCar Series to focus on "sustainable" racing. This is something that happened in 2023-24 as Bridgestone used certain materials made from hard-to-recycle plastics and palm oil waste residue in the Indy 500 tires.
Bridgestone has also used natural rubber derived from the Guayule desert shrub in alternate race tires over the past two NTT IndyCar Series seasons.
Another important part of the partnership will be Firestone's continued promotion of the IndyCar Series and Indy NXT through fan engagement, signage, and other strategies.
"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."