Indy Lights Rebrands With Firestone Sponsorship

The NTT INDYCAR Series is rebranding Indy Lights as INDY NXT by Firestone. The Bridgestone Americas Inc. brand will serve as the presenting sponsor and official tire of the series.

Already a longtime partner of the Series, INDY NXT by Firestone will emphasize talent development and work to extend racing’s reach and impact to a younger and emerging consumer audience.

The series will stage 14 races in 2023, starting March 5 on the streets of St. Petersburg and competing on a diverse set of ovals, road courses and street circuits.

“We look forward to being part of the journey as INDY NXT enters a new era and expands our partnership with INDYCAR,” says Lisa Boggs, director of motorsports for Bridgestone Americas. “Having been in the series previously, we know how important it is for the development of the next generation of drivers, and we are proud to support them again. INDY NXT provides opportunities for Firestone to engage with new audiences and develop and showcase our technology.”

INDYCAR President Jay Frye says, “INDY NXT by Firestone will continue to develop and graduate new generations of racers ready to engage in breathtaking, high-stakes competition. Firestone is the perfect partner in this endeavor, with its innovative technology and authentic appreciation for INDY NXT and its vast potential.” 

Starting with the 2022 season, INDYCAR took over the management and operations of the developmental series. The launch included an enhanced collaborative partnership with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The season also included an expansion of teams and cars. The 2023 seasons shows the highest entry list for the developmental series since 2009.

The 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone championship still will compete on the same tracks and on the same weekends as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES events, providing further exposure to the series. The schedule consists of three doubleheader weekends: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, Streets of Detroit and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where the 2023 INDY NXT champion will be crowned.

All 14 races once again will be available for streaming in the U.S. via Peacock, and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Start times will be announced at a later date. The full schedule is below: