INDYCAR: Firestone Signs Long-Term Extension

INDYCAR and Firestone have stabilized a once-shaky relationship with a new, long-term extension that will see the two committed through 2018.

Marshall Pruett | Posted December 21, 2012

Firestone will remain with the IndyCar Series through 2018. (Photo: LAT)

INDYCAR and Firestone have stabilized a once-shaky relationship with a new, long-term extension that will see the two committed through 2018.

“Firestone performance and safety have been synonymous with IndyCar racing for more than 100 years,” said Al Speyer, Firestone Racing's executive director, who will retire in 2013.

“We are excited about the opportunity to continue the ongoing success of this series by extending the Firestone brand’s history in the sport through the 2018 season. We treasure the relationships we have fostered with the league, drivers, owners and various other partners involved with the sport through the years, and look forward to continuing our legacy of high performance for which Firestone tires are known.”

Firestone has served as IndyCar's sole supplier for more than a decade, although it wasn't so long ago that the respected brand was looking to exit open-wheel racing.

Firestone inked a deal in February that would see it remain as the sole provider through 2014, but questions surfaced about its tenure beyond 2014 when former series CEO Randy Bernard came close to signing Continental for 2015.

Now, with four more years added to the deal, the question of IndyCar tire supply has been put to rest.

“The Firestone brand’s significant contributions to IZOD IndyCar Series racing are the result of more than 100 years of experience competing in this sport, most recently as part of a continuous 22-year partnership,” said Jeff Belskus, interim president and CEO, INDYCAR.

“The agreement expands our opportunity to continue working together to provide on-track excitement for our fans and grow the sport through coordinated and consistent off-track promotions. This is an important relationship for both Firestone and INDYCAR and we are very pleased to continue the association.”

Teams have yet to be informed on whether any changes to pricing will be forthcoming in the new deal.

Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, and covers the IndyCar Series. Before joining SPEED, Pruett worked in open-wheel racing for 20 years as a mechanic and engineer. He also contributes to RACER, Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him @MarshallPruett.