INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WDRB) — More than 5,000 tires will be used during the month of May in Indianapolis. They’re sleek, powerful, and crucial to one of the biggest races in the world — but don’t expect to buy a set.
Firestone Racing tires, which are used exclusively at the Indianapolis 500, are engineered with precision and purpose. And no, they are not for sale — not to race fans, collectors, or even the race teams themselves.
“We lease them,” Cara Kristollic, a Firestone Racing engineer, said. “We can’t share the details of the lease with you, but… they’re a little more expensive than the tires you put on your passenger car.”
Kristollic has been with Firestone for 22 years, 18 of those with the motorsports division. She knows better than anyone how vital every inch of rubber is when it comes to the biggest race of the year.
Each tire on an IndyCar is uniquely built. Even though the front tires may look identical, their internal construction and rubber compounds differ.
“For the Indianapolis 500, each tire on the car is different,” Kristollic explained. “They’re cured in the same mold, but they’re very different in construction. The compounds are also different. We have a right-side compound and a left-side compound. If you think about a car going around an oval — you’re turning left.”
The tires with red sidewalls? Those are the softest and fastest. But they don’t last long.
In a race where every tenth of a second counts, tire performance is critical. The white-walled tires (or “primary tires”) are more durable. And yes — each tire weighs far less than you might expect, despite the forces they endure at speeds exceeding 220 mph.
During the month of May, each race team receives 42 sets of tires. But only Firestone and its partner, Performance Tire, are allowed to mount and balance them.
“Our team here at Firestone, and also Performance Tire… we’re the only ones that will do the mounting,” Kristollic said. “Once they’re inflated, then we give them to the teams.”
From that point on, teams are responsible for air pressure, tire placement, and race strategy.
Even the part of the tire that shreds off during the race plays a role. Those tiny bits of rubber — called “marbles” — can cause chaos if a driver hits them at high speeds, turning a qualifying run or race into a disaster.
When the race is over, the tires are just getting started on their next life.
“We don’t want them to end up in the trash can or landfill,” Kristoff said. “We get them back, shred them, and reuse them — as a substitute for materials like virgin rubber in asphalt or other applications.”
While tire technology often evolves year-to-year, this year’s race tire is the same as last year’s — a rare constant in a sport known for its constant innovation.
So while race fans may want a piece of the action, the tires that help decide the Indy 500’s winner will never leave the track.
Don’t forget to watch the Indianapolis 500 right here on WDRB. The race is set for Sunday, May 25 with coverage beginning at 10 a.m. The green flag will wave at 12:45 p.m. for the start of the race.
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