IRL Development Series Becomes Firestone Indy Lights Series

Indianapolis, IN (AHN) -- The Indy Racing League and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire announced an agreement giving the Firestone brand title sponsorship of the Indy Racing League's development series.

The new name will now be the Firestone Indy Lights, which takes the series back to a period between 1991-2001 when Firestone and Dayton brands headlined the Indy Lights Championships.

Tony Kanaan, Oriol Servia, Scott Dixon and Townsend Bell are all past Indy Lights champions and Helio Castroneves and Dan Wheldon used Indy Lights as a stepping stone to capturing Indianapolis 500 glory. "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 18th 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 series was previously known as the Indy Pro Series, but drivers will continue to compete for the Firehawk Cup championship. The Firestone Indy Lights event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 23 now becomes the Firestone Freedom 100. "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," said Tony George, the Indy Racing League's founder and CEO. "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."