Firestone tire specs for Milwaukee

Race Distance: 228.375 miles/367.425 kilometers (225 laps on the 1.015-mile/1.633-kilometer oval).

Firestone Firehawk Race Tires Supplied:
– 1,016 total tires are available. This is an all-new specification that is based on the tire used at Milwaukee in 2011. The 2012 spec has new compounds on both the left and right side, which are slightly "softer" than the 2011 compounds in anticipation of the needs of the Dallara DW12. The 2012 spec was previously used by teams for a test here on Tuesday, May 29.

– Each entry receives eight sets (32 tires) for the race weekend.

– Tire stagger: A single stagger of approximately 0.45 of an inch is available for all teams. Stagger, created by molding the right rear tire with a larger diameter than the left rear, helps racecars turn more naturally and smoothly on oval tracks. This is a change from the 2011 tire, as a stagger of 0.52 of an inch was used here last year. We have used 0.45 stagger at Milwaukee in the past, however, when the Champ Car World Series raced here.

From Al Speyer, Executive Director, Firestone Racing: "It has been a fast and furious few weeks, with the IZOD IndyCar Series going non-stop from Indianapolis, to Detroit, to Texas and now Milwaukee. We're looking forward to the first Milwaukee IndyFest with Andretti Sports Marketing at the helm. This will be our first race visit to a short oval in the new cars, and Firestone Racing is ready for the challenge. Our engineers have selected a new Firehawk tire specification based on the 2011 tire that should work well with this track and the new cars, particularly given the new stagger."

Firestone Racing History of Note: The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest operating motor speedway in the world (dating back to 1903), and Firestone's history at the track is extensive. Names like Wilbur Shaw and Ralph de Palma raced and won at the track on Firestone tires. At this track in 1997, Greg Moore became the youngest driver in Indy-car racing history at that time to win a race when he scored his first CART victory at the age of 22 – of course, on Firestone tires. Cars equipped with Firestone (or our Bridgestone brand) tires have won every Indy-car race at Milwaukee since Moore's victory in 1997.