Scott Pruett was the first driver to win with Firestone tires in its return to Indy car racing in 1995. That was July 30 in the Marlboro 500 at Michigan International Speedway.
On July 20, who will be the 250th winner?
That will be determined among 23 Verizon IndyCar Series drivers in Race 2 of the Honda Indy Toronto on the 1.7-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition.
The Firestone brand’s first documented victory came in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 1911. Since 2002, Firestone has been the Official Tire of the Verizon IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500, which has been won by a Firestone-equipped car/driver 65 times in its 98-year history.
“Racing is in Firestone’s DNA and we are extremely proud to celebrate our 250th victory,” said Lisa Boggs, Director of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. “Every trip to Victory Circle is special, but the 250th is a testament to our unrivaled passion and commitment to providing world-class race tires.”
A key INDYCAR promotional partner, the Firestone brand also has been an innovator through the years. In 2009, it introduced the alternate tire concept to street and road course events to increase passing opportunities. The alternate tires feature a softer tread compound than the primaries, which provide more grip for later braking and quicker cornering speeds but as a result trade some durability. They’re identified by the red sidewalls.
Of the 248 Firestone-equipped winners, reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon leads active drivers with 33 trips to Victory Circle. His first came May 6, 2001, in the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix at Nazareth Speedway and his most recent was Oct. 5, 2013, at Houston.
“Firestone has been a huge part of the sport of Indy car racing over the years,” said Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car. “They have been there every step of the way throughout my career in the United States, whether it was in the Indy Lights or the Verizon IndyCar Series. As a manufacturer they have been as close to perfect as you can get. Their record of reliability is second to none and I congratulate them on win number 250.”
Following Dixon among active drivers with the most victories are Sebastien Bourdais (31), Helio Castroneves (29), Will Power (23) and Tony Kanaan (16).
In December 2012, a contract extension was announced that will see the Firestone brand remain the exclusive tire for the Verizon IndyCar Series through the 2018 season.
