Firestone previews Firestone 550 at TMS

Race Distance: 331.74 miles/533.976 kilometers (228 laps on the 1.455-mile/2.342-kilometer superspeedway oval).

Television/Radio Broadcast: Live – Saturday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, IMS Radio Network and XM Radio 94 and Sirius Radio 212. A qualifying recap show airs at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday, June 8 on NBC Sports Network.

Firestone Firehawk Race Tires Supplied:
* A proven Firestone tire specification with a 1,016 total tires is available, the identical Firehawk spec run in 2011 at Kentucky Speedway and at the Texas open test last month, with allotments as follows:
* Each entry, eight sets (32 tires) for the race weekend;
* Rookies and drivers outside the top 10 in points, one set (four tires) for the opening practice session only;
* 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.

From Al Speyer, Executive Director, Firestone Racing: "We are very excited to return to Texas Motor Speedway, where the Firestone brand again serves as title sponsor for the Firestone 550. The Texas races have perennially been some of the most electrifying on the schedule, and coming on the heels of one of the most spectacular Indianapolis 500s in memory, we think the fans are in store for more great oval racing this weekend. The Firestone race tire specification selected for this weekend should just add to the intense competition. It is the same spec that was used last fall at Kentucky when Ed Carpenter and Dario Franchitti waged battle side-by-side, lap after lap at more than 210 miles an hour in their race to the checkered flag. The Firehawks didn't flinch then and we expect them to arise to the challenge of Texas Motor Speedway once again this weekend."