IndyCar Exploring Tire Options Beyond Firestone

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – IndyCar says it is exploring partnerships with tire manufacturers besides Bridgestone Firestone.

Firestone has been IndyCar’s sole supplier, and is under contract through the 2014 season.

The executive director of Firestone Racing told Motorsport Magazine the company wanted to extend its contract with IndyCar through perhaps 2020. Al Speyer told the magazine its heard rumors IndyCar is looking at other deals.

IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard confirmed Tuesday that the series is looking at many different tire options and Firestone is not out of the mix. Bernard says IndyCar looks at partners who provide safe, reliable and high-performance products but also help grow the series through aggressive activation.