Firestone To Title IRL Development Circuit; DirecTV Near Deal

Bridgestone Firestone and the IRL have signed a multi-year deal in which the Firestone brand will be the title sponsor of IRL's development circuit. The series, which had been known as the Indy Pro Series, will be called the Firestone Indy Lights. The series previously used the Indy Lights name from '91-'01. In addition, the circuit's event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 23 will be known as the Firestone Freedom 100 (Firestone).

IRL NEARING DEAL WITH DIRECTV: Sources say the IRL is close to finalizing a deal that would make DirecTV the presenting sponsor for the league's top circuit, the IndyCar Series. It is uncertain how DirecTV would be integrated into the name and logo of the series. IndyCar still is searching for a title sponsor as well. Both the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights open their seasons Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Meanwhile, the IRL is also expected to announce this week that Coca-Cola will become the circuit's official soft drink (Michael Smith, SportsBusiness Journal).

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