#United States #Nashville #ENLITEN #IndyCar #Firestone

Bridgestone's ENLITEN™ Technology Set to Transform INDYCAR Racing

In an exciting development for motorsports enthusiasts, Bridgestone Americas has announced that Firestone Racing will roll out its innovative ENLITEN™ technology in Firehawk race tires starting in the 2026 INDYCAR season. This groundbreaking technology emphasizes sustainability without compromising performance, and will first be showcased at the upcoming Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Firestone Racing boasts a rich history as a trusted tire supplier, firmly establishing itself in the racing domain since the early 1900s. This year marks a milestone as the Firestone brand celebrates 125 years of excellence in tire manufacturing and motorsport performance. Their legacy was solidified back in 1911, when Ray Harroun clinched victory at the inaugural Indianapolis 500® race on Firestone tires.

The 2026 season will witness the deployment of approximately 37,000 Firestone Firehawk ENLITEN race tires, with over 32,000 allocated for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES alone. The tires will accommodate the diverse demands imposed by various racing circuits, including oval, road, and street configurations. Furthermore, 5,000 tires will be designated for the next generation of drivers competing in the INDY NXT by Firestone series.

The Future of Tire Technology with ENLITEN™

ENLITEN technology epitomizes Bridgestone’s commitment to enhancing sustainability in the tire industry without sacrificing performance. Key features of this technology include:

• - Renewable soybean oil: This replaces traditional petroleum-based oils in tire formulations.
• - Recycled steel: Utilized for the bead wire that secures the tire to the wheel, thus reducing the environmental impact.
• - Recycled carbon black: Derived from end-of-life tires, this material enhances the durability and performance characteristics of the tires.

These innovative materials not only improve resource efficiency but also contribute towards increased material circularity within the production process, ensuring that the tires can sustain rigorous performance standards essential for North America's premier open-wheel racing series.

Lisa Boggs, Director of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports, remarked, "Firestone Racing serves as a mobile lab to test and prove new technologies under extreme conditions. The integration of ENLITEN technology is a testament to our commitment to achieving no compromises when it comes to sustainable innovations."

Progressing Towards Sustainability

Over the past few seasons, Firestone has demonstrated its dedication to sustainability through various initiatives. Notable among these is the use of guayule-derived natural rubber in tire sidewalls, and previously utilizing materials sourced from hard-to-recycle plastics. For the upcoming Indy 500, the Firehawk race tires will again incorporate certified sustainable materials derived from palm oil waste and recycled steel bead wire.

Bridgestone is also actively working on new recycling initiatives that aim to transition race tires from merely generating energy to circulatory use, ensuring that nearly 100% of tires utilized in the series are repurposed for new applications—ranging from playground surfaces to flooring materials.

The Bridgestone Advanced Tire Production Center

The manufacturing of the Firestone Firehawk race tires takes place at the Bridgestone Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC) in Akron, Ohio. Opened in 2022, this facility represents a new chapter in Firestone’s technological evolution and employs state-of-the-art production methods to ensure tire quality and performance.

Collaborative efforts between the Firestone Race Tire Engineering (RTE) team and the Bridgestone Americas Technology Center have proven instrumental in deriving insights that enhance tire performance. As they innovate for the racetrack, these advancements subsequently influence tire products available for consumer use, ensuring excellence in quality and performance across the board.

Firestone Racing continues to leverage its motorsport platform as a critical space for experimentation and validation of new materials and technologies. This push towards sustainable yet reliable performance paves the way for a future where motorsport not only entertains but also leads innovation in environmentally responsible practices.

For ongoing updates, fans can follow Firestone’s racing initiatives via their social media channels, keeping a pulse on how sustainability is changing the face of racing technology.