Pairing open-wheel racing’s past and present to help mold the sport’s future, the Indy Racing League and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), proudly announce an agreement which sees the Firestone brand assume title sponsorship of the Indy Racing League’s official development series and re-establish the series name as Firestone Indy Lights.

The change harkens back to the 11 seasons that BFNT served as title sponsor and exclusive
tire supplier to one of the most successful driver development series in American history.
Firestone and Dayton brands headlined the Indy Lights Championships from 1991-2001.
Many of today’s top open-wheel competitors cut their racing teeth on its diverse array of
tracks
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
seasoning steppingstone on their way to capturing Indianapolis 500 victory glory.
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 openwheel
ranks; this will be our 18th consecutive year doing so. With the unification of openwheel
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 becomes the Firestone Freedom 100.
“In light of the unification process, Tony George and the IRL asked Firestone to step up and
support the sport even more than we have done in the past,” Speyer said. “We believe that
this agreement further exemplifies Firestone’s continued support and belief in the future of
open-wheel racing. One of the most noticeable results of this agreement is that participants
will see an increase in prize money of more than $250,000 throughout the season.”
George, the Indy Racing League’s founder and CEO, is an avid believer in the driver
development system, having once driven in the American Racing Series that was
predecessor to Firestone Indy Lights.
“Firestone has been one of the most consistent and loyal suppliers to open-wheel racing;
its involvement dates back to even before the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911,” George
said. “One association Firestone has supported through the years has been the development
series in both CART and the Indy Racing League, which demonstrates its vision and
commitment to be part of its future. I am pleased Firestone so strongly supports bringing
back the Firestone Indy Lights brand.”
Roger Bailey directed Indy Lights before becoming executive director of the Indy Pro Series
when it debuted in ’02. Bailey, who retains the executive director’s position, is delighted to
resurrect the Firestone Indy Lights name and tradition.
“Though Firestone has supported the Indy Pro Series since its inception in 2002, this is an
expansion of a personal relationship that began nearly 20 years ago,” Bailey said. “It’s a
tremendous feeling to rekindle a program that began in 1991. Firestone has been a great
part of my life for many years, and I hope it will continue to be so for many years to come.”