Apr 7, 2008

"Firestone Indy Lights" Name Returns to Open-Wheel Racing

A proud racing name is returning to open-wheel competition. The Indy Racing League and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) have reached an agreement through which the Firestone brand will assume title sponsorship of the league’s official development series. That means the series will again become known as Firestone Indy Lights, harkening back to the 11 seasons that BFNT served as title sponsor and exclusive tire supplier to what was acknowledged as one of the most successful driver development series in American history.

Firestone and Dayton brands headlined the Indy Lights Championships from 1991 to 2001.

Many top open-wheel competitors racing today cut their teeth on its diverse array of tracks. For example, current IndyCar Series drivers Tony Kanaan, Oriol Servia, Scott Dixon and Townsend Bell are all past Indy Lights champions, not to mention current team owners Eric Bachelart and Robbie Buhl. In addition, Helio Castroneves and Dan Wheldon used Indy Lights as a stepping stone on their way to capturing an Indianapolis 500 victory.

When the Indy Lights series disbanded after 2001, Firestone continued its strong support of young open-wheel talent by becoming the Official Tire for the Indy Pro Series, which debuted in 2002. Aspiring drivers such as A.J. Foyt IV, Ed Carpenter, Jay Howard, Marco Andretti and Hideki Mutoh have parlayed that experience into IndyCar Series rides and successes.

“This is a fresh start driven by tradition,” said Al Speyer, executive director of motorsports, BFNT. “Our company has a long history of supporting the development of talent in the open-wheel ranks; this will be our 18^th consecutive year doing so. With the unification of open-wheel racing, we thought it the perfect time to merge the excitement of the IRL’s growing support series with the rich history of Firestone Indy Lights.”

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 has been renamed the Firestone Freedom 100.