IRL: Phoenix: Firestone preview

Firestone Firehawk Fast Facts
Indy Racing League
Bombardier ATV Copper World Indy 200 at Phoenix International Raceway
March 15-17, 2002

Race Distance: 200 miles (200 laps on the one-mile oval).

Firehawks Supplied: Seven sets per car. Produced at the Bridgestone/Firestone Technical Center in Akron, Ohio. New left- and right-side compounds; used by teams during the Test In The West sessions at Phoenix (Feb. 8-9 this year).

2001 Firestone Results: Greg Ray (Dallara/Olds/Firestone) won pole, Sam Hornish Jr. (Dallara/Olds/Firestone) won race.

This Weekend's Event: The one-mile oval at Phoenix International Raceway, with banking ranging from 3 degrees on the front straight to 11 degrees in turns one and two, demands much from tires. These changes in banking force the tires to endure significant sidewall stress, while at the same time shouldering downforce and high ambient/track temperatures. While the Firestone Racing program has enjoyed tremendous success at PIR, it is always looking for ways to improve performance. The Firestone Firehawks for this weekend's competition are an improved version of the tire used here last year, providing improved grip via new tread compounds.

Quote from Firestone Motorsports Executive Director Al Speyer: "Now that teams and drivers have shaken the dust off at the season opener in Miami, it's time to hit the fast-forward button - and there's no better place to do that than Phoenix. This is the first of three one-mile ovals on this year's IRL schedule, and on tracks like this the demands are high for everyone. Our engineers analyzed data from last year's event at PIR to design and develop new compounds for use this year, giving drivers more grip. We think the new Firehawks are impressive tires, and will contribute significantly to a great race Sunday."

Firestone History at Phoenix: Firestone Racing has been coming to tracks in the Phoenix area and winning major open-wheel races for more than half a century, starting with driver Jimmy Davies in1950. Other notables to take wins here on Firestone tires: Johnny Parsons in '51 and '52; Tony Bettenhausen in '53 and '59; Jimmy Bryan in '54, '55 and '57; George Amick in '56; Jud Larson in '58; A.J. Foyt in '60; Parnelli Jones in '61; Bobby Marshman in '62; Rodger Ward in '63; Jim McElreath in '66; Mario Andretti in '66 and '67; Gary Bettenhausen in '68; George Follmer in '69; Al Unser Sr. in '69, '70 and '71; Mike Mosley in '74; Arie Luyendyk in '96; Jim Guthrie in '97; Buddy Lazier in 2000, and Sam Hornish Jr. in 2001.

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