10 Years of Firestone Racing History
04/08/2005
Firestone Racing History
Firestone tires made its first official racing appearance in 1909 when company founder Harvey Firestone put a set on a car driven by Barney Oldfield in the Indianapolis 300. During a test run for that competition, Oldfield told the assembled onlookers, “My only life insurance is Firestone tires.”
Riding on Firestone tires, Ray Harroun won the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
In 1920, Gaston Chevrolet won the Indianapolis 500, beginning a string of 43 consecutive victories for Firestone-equipped drivers that would last through the 1966 race.
In 1965, Firestone tires made their first appearance in an FIA Formula One event, when Pedro Rodriguez wore them on his Ferrari.
Mario Andretti won the Indy 500 in 1969, giving Firestone its 46th win at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Firestone driver Emerson Fittipaldi won the 1972 FIA Formula One drivers championship. His Sept. 10, 1972, win at Monza was the last FIA Formula One victory for Firestone.
Firestone withdrew from major open-wheel competition at the conclusion of the 1974 season. Al Unser Sr.’s win in the Michigan 250 on Sept. 15 was the last win of that era by a Firestone-equipped driver.
The Return to Open Wheel Racing
In May 1993, in a press conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Firestone announced its intention to return to the top levels of Indy-style racing. Two years earlier, in 1991, Firestone had become the exclusive tire supplier and title sponsor of the Indy Lights Championship, the top driver development support series in Championship Auto Racing Teams.
Throughout 1994, Firestone Racing partnered with Patrick Racing and driver Scott Pruett to conduct extensive Indy-car testing at speedways and road courses, logging more than 12,000 miles on-track.