Firestone Kentucky Preview

Firestone Tires

Race Distance: 300 miles/482.803 kilometers (200 laps on the 1.5-mile/2.414-km superspeedway oval).

Television/Radio Broadcast: Live – Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. ET on VERSUS, the IMS Radio Network, XM Radio 94 and Sirius Radio 212. The live qualifying show airs at 6 p.m. ET Saturday, Oct. 1 on VERSUS.

Firestone Firehawk Race Tires Supplied:
* Each entry receives eight sets (32 total tires) for the race weekend, plus rookie drivers and those outside the top 10 in points are eligible for an additional set to be used in the first practice session only; 1,100 total tires are available.
* Firestone is bringing a new tire specification to Kentucky, featuring the same tire body construction run at Texas' 1.5-mile oval in June, paired with new tread compounds at all four tire positions intended to provide similar grip and performance characteristics as the Texas race tires. This updated tire spec was made available to teams that tested recently at both Kentucky and Las Vegas. The same spec will be used at the season finale in Las Vegas.
* Tire stagger: A single stagger of approximately 0.45 of an inch is available. Stagger is measured by the diameter difference between the right rear and left rear tires, with the right rear larger by design to make a racecar naturally want to turn left.

From Al Speyer, Executive Director, Firestone Racing: "We're back to a pair of 1.5-mile superspeedways to conclude another exciting IZOD IndyCar Series season. These type ovals, including Kentucky Speedway, have provided some of the most memorable racing in series history. They can also be among the most demanding racetracks for a tire supplier because of the constant high speeds and loads generated by the increased banking. Firestone Racing has risen to the challenge time and again on these tracks in the past, and our engineering group has full confidence that the new Firehawk spec for Kentucky will provide the grip and stability necessary to promote the tremendous IndyCar racing we've come to expect here."

Firestone "Tire-ific" Move of the Race: Following each IZOD IndyCar Series race in 2011, Firestone Racing nominates three drivers who best utilized their Firestone tires to make a bold, dramatic move during the event. Fans can go to www.indycar.com in the days after the race and vote for the nominee they believe made the most "Tire-ific" move of the race, with the top vote-getter claiming the honor. The $10,000 prize from the Indy – The Final at Twin Ring Motegi on Sept. 18 goes to Charlie Kimball for his aggressive inside move to gain three positions on the first lap. Kimball will be presented the check Sunday in Kentucky Indy 300 pre-race ceremonies.