Is Firestone leaving IndyCar competition?

ERJ staff report (AW)

Detroit, Michigan -- The Firestone brand's return to the Izod IndyCar Series may be up in the air.

Bridgestone Americas was to notify IndyCar by Dec. 31 of its intent to supply Firestone tyres to the series, but did not do so-and its contract expires after the upcoming season.

Just how this plays out will be determined over the next few days, according to IndyCar officials. But it doesn't look good for the series that has counted on Firestone as its sole supplier since the start of the 2002 season.

Al Speyer, executive director for Bridgestone motorsports, said on Dec. 4 that both sides have agreed to keep the lines of communication open. “We'll leave it an open book,” he said.

It's unclear what options IndyCar will have if Firestone leaves. Goodyear is the only other tyre manufacturer to participate in the series since it was founded in 1996.

From AutoWeek (A Crain publication)