IndyCar: Firestone extends partnership with IndyCar through 2025

IndyCar and Firestone officials announced Wednesday that Firestone will continue to serve as the exclusive tire supplier of IndyCar through the 2025 season.

One of the most important partners in IndyCar will continue to play a key role in the series for at least the next seven seasons.

Firestone, the exclusive tire supplier of IndyCar, extended their partnership with the series through the 2025 season. IndyCar and Firestone officials announced this news on Wednesday morning in a press conference at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway, Indiana.

Here is a video of this announcement.

Watch INDYCAR and Firestone make a special announcement

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Posted by NTT IndyCar Series on Wednesday, February 6, 2019

In addition to the extension, Bridgestone, Firestone’s parent company, announced plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Akron, Ohio, which will serve as the future home of Firestone’s race tire manufacturing.

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The new facility, which will be named the Bridgestone Advanced Tire Production Center, will be located less than one mile away from the Bridgestone Advanced Technology Workshop, where IndyCar tires are currently manufactured. The first tires produced at the facility are expected to hit the track in the 2020 season.

Firestone is no stranger to IndyCar, as it has been involved with the sport since the beginning. Ray Harroun won the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 on Firestone tires, and the brand is entering its 20th consecutive season as the exclusive tire supplier for the series.

Here is what Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations chief marketing officer Philip Dobbs had to say about Firestone’s extended partnership with IndyCar, according to IndyCar.

"“Champions have relied on Firestone tires for more than a century, and racing has always been the ideal proving ground for new technologies that help us evolve and advance our company’s passenger tire offerings. As the NTT IndyCar Series continues gaining momentum, we are introducing new fans to the Firestone brand and strengthening our relationship with the drivers who use our durable, dependable Firestone tires.”"

Here is what IndyCar president Jay Frye had to say about the matter, according to IndyCar.

"“Firestone has long been a great INDYCAR partner and is making a huge investment to the NTT IndyCar Series with its new facility in Akron. This extension also reflects Firestone’s commitment to helping to shape INDYCAR’s paddock-wide, five-year plan.”"

Firestone’s marketing helps IndyCar as well. The tire brand is the title sponsor of the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida as well as the new season finale, the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, which is set to be held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.

Mario Andretti was also present at this announcement. He has been long associated with the Firestone brand and won the 1969 Indianapolis 500 on Firestone tires. Here is what he had to say about Firestone’s extended partnership with IndyCar, according to IndyCar.

"“I started driving on Firestone tires 55 years ago, and they were on my car for the 1969 Indianapolis 500 when I took the checkered flag. The trust I have always placed in Firestone was cemented that day 50 years ago when I drove on the same right rear tire for the whole race – and it never let me down. Firestone has always been a dependable partner, and I am excited to see its partnership with INDYCAR continue into the future.”"

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The 2019 IndyCar season is scheduled to kick off with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 10 at 1:00 p.m. ET, and it is set to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network. For more details about the full 17-race 2019 schedule, click here.