Firestone renews sponsorship of IRL race

Michigan International Speedway and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire have announced that the Nashville-based tire company will renew its title sponsorship of the IndyCar Series race at MIS on August 5. It will be the third consecutive year that Firestone has sponsored the IndyCar Series event at MIS.

"We're pleased to have Firestone returning to sponsor our IndyCar Series race," track President Roger Curtis said. "As the official tire supplier of the Indy Racing League, Firestone has been a major presence in open-wheel racing for many years. It's only fitting that a company with such an extensive racing history return to sponsor one of the most exciting open wheel races in the United States."

"Renewing our title sponsorship for the IndyCar Series event at a track with so much racing history like Michigan International Speedway makes us very proud," said Al Speyer, Firestone Racing executive director. "We have had a great partnership over the past few years and are looking forward to exciting racing at MIS this summer."

Firestone left racing in 1974 and would later celebrate its return in 1995 by capturing its first open-wheel triumph in more than 21 years as Scott Pruett, behind the wheel of the Firestone sponsored car for Jackson, Michigan businessman Pat Patrick, edged out Al Unser Jr. by just .056 seconds at Michigan International Speedway. Since that memorable race in 1995, Firestone Firehawk tires have won every race at MIS, including Helio Castroneves' dominant victory in last year's Firestone Indy 400.

The IndyCar Series weekend at MIS will feature the sixth annual Corvette Show presented by AutoWeek. All seats for the Firestone Indy 400 are only $40 with children 12 and under admitted free all weekend. Seats are available for all 2007 events at MIS, including the mid-summer classic Firestone Indy 400. For tickets visit www.MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at (800) 354-1010.