NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 13, 2026) – Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) today announced its motorsports activity plans for 2026. The company will continue to support a wide range of motorsports both in Japan and abroad, from top-tier races to grassroots race events for amateur drivers. The Bridgestone “POTENZA” brand will be at the forefront of four-wheel racing, while the “BATTLAX” brand will power two-wheel competitions. Guided by the fundamental principle that “Tires carry life,” Bridgestone places the safety and peace of mind of all competitors first, delivering tires developed and refined at the track, and contributing to the advancement of motorsports culture. Bridgestone leverages motorsports as a “Mobile Laboratory.” The technologies honed through the relentless pursuit of victory on the racetrack are directly applied to the evolution of consumer-grade and commercial tires, strengthening the Bridgestone brand and delivering new value to its customers.
In top-tier racing, Bridgestone supplies tires under both the “Bridgestone” and “Firestone” brands. The company’s “Bridgestone” tires power Japan’s premier four-wheel racing series, SUPER GT, where teams equipped with Bridgestone Potenza tires have achieved an unprecedented fifth overall series championship in both the GT500 and GT300 classes. On two wheels, Bridgestone BATTLAX-equipped teams have captured the series championship for the fifth consecutive year—and sixth time overall—in the world’s most prestigious endurance motorcycle race, the FIM1 Endurance World Championship (EWC). Meanwhile, the “Firestone” brand, with its 125-year legacy, remains the exclusive tire supplier for the iconic NTT INDYCAR® SERIES2, including the legendary INDY500, supporting the heritage of another exciting motorsport.
Motorsports is the “origin” of Bridgestone as a tire manufacturer, and the “Challenge to the Extreme.” We are driven by our “Passion to Turn the World®”—a message that expresses the commitment to enjoying racing, striving for victory, pushing the limits, and supporting a sustainable mobility society together with the company’s teammates and partners. Under this message, Bridgestone will continue to demonstrate the spirit of challenging itself to new extremes through sustainable global motorsports activities, building trust and empathy with all those who share that passion.
Through our sustainable global motorsports activities, Bridgestone remains committed to its “Bridgestone E8 Commitment”4, specifically to “Emotion: Supporting exciting and moving mobility experiences.” Now and always, the company will continue to pour boundless passion into motorsports.
1 FIM stands for Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme.
2 Bridgestone has an agreement to act as the exclusive tire supplier for the NTT INDYCAR® SERIES until 2030.
2024.9.13 Firestone to Continue as NTT INDYCAR® SERIES Exclusive Tire Supplier through Long-Term Extension
3 One of the Foundations from The Bridgestone Essence (Corporate Philosophy). “Genbutsu-Genba (Decision-Making Based on Verified, On-Site Observations)”
https://www.bridgestone.com/corporate/philosophy
4 The Bridgestone Group established its corporate commitment, the "Bridgestone E8 Commitment," to help it realize its vision: "Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company." This commitment will serve as the Group's axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. The "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" consists of eight uniquely Bridgestone values starting with the letter "E" (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment) that the Group will commit to creating through distinctly Bridgestone purposes and processes, together with employees, society, partners, and customers to help realize a sustainable society.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
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<Car Races>
1. AUTOBACS SUPER GT
- Japan’s most popular top-category racing series, international tire manufacturers supply their products. Bridgestone is also dedicated to this field as an opportunity to refine its technology and push the limits of tire performance.
- In 2025, teams equipped with Bridgestone tires won the series championship in the GT500 class for the tenth consecutive year, and also secured the series championship in the GT300 class.
- For 2026, Bridgestone will supply tires to 12 teams in the GT500 class and 6 teams in the GT300 class.
- This year as well, Bridgestone continues to take on the challenge of achieving the highest level of tire performance required under the extreme conditions of racing.
Comment from Tire Design Engineer
The development of our new 2026 specification tires is reaching its final stages. Effected to the announcement from the association, we are striving to deliver performance worthy of the last year of tire competition in both GT500 and GT300 categories. I am eagerly awaiting the season opener in April, where we will finally see if the confidence we have in these new tires is truly justified.
Comment from Tire Materials Design Engineer
In the midst of fierce competition with rival manufacturers, we have built high-performance tires by carefully listening to each drivers’ feedback and refining our materials from the ground up. The moment when our newly developed compound leads the team to victory is an unparalleled joy. For 2026, we are moving forward with an unshakeable determination to win, working together as One Team!
Comment from Tire Production Engineer
We take great pride in supporting top-category racing and approach tire production with a strong sense of commitment. Our goal is to receive even more positive feedback from the teams we supply and we are dedicated to delivering tires of the highest quality and safety.
2. SUPER Taikyu
- One of the largest participatory motorsports events in Japan.
- Since 2024, Bridgestone has been supporting this race as the official tire supplier, and this year the company will continue to supply the “POTENZA RACING TIRE” to support the event.
- By supplying tires to various classes, Bridgestone is contributing to the development of a safe, secure, and enjoyable car and motorsports culture. In the ST-Q class, the company also support the realization of a carbon-neutral mobility society from the ground up.
Comment from Tire Design Engineer
Developing tires for Super Taikyu is a unique challenge due to the wide variety of vehicles involved, but receiving different feedback from each car makes the process truly exciting. Prioritizing safety and reliability above all, we are committed to providing strong support again this year so that everyone can fully enjoy racing.
Comment from Tire Production Engineer
Manufacturing racing tires, which differ from commercial tires in both materials and structure, has presented many challenges. However, we see this as an opportunity for technological innovation and, as one united team at the factory, continue to make daily improvements. Following last year’s achievements, we remain dedicated to supporting safety and reliability, aiming to deliver the highest quality tires that will once again earn praise from all the racing teams.
3. NTT INDYCAR® SERIES
- The NTT INDYCAR® SERIES is the premier open-wheel racing series in North America.
- Bridgestone Group has announced that it will remain the official tire supplier for this series until 2030.
- This year marks the 27th consecutive season since Firestone brand tires began exclusively supplying the series in 2000.
Comment from Bridgestone Americas Motorsports Representative:
Since Firestone began using racing as the ultimate stage for experimentation in 1909, Bridgestone has inherited the tradition and passion of motorsports. To fulfill our mission as the sole tire supplier for the NTT INDYCAR® SERIES for 27 consecutive years is our pride. In 2026, we are fully committed to further enhancing the performance of FIRESTONE FIREHAWK tires and aiming for new heights.
Tires: FIRESTONE FIREHAWK race tire.
4. INDY NXT by Firestone
- INDY NXT by Firestone is the driver development series for the NTT INDYCAR® SERIES.
- Bridgestone supported this category with Firestone brand tires from 1991 to 2013,
and announced its return as the official tire supplier from 2023 under a long-term agreement.
Tires: FIRESTONE FIREHAWK race tire.
<Motorcycle Races>
1. FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC)
- This is the only world motorcycle road racing championship where multiple tire manufacturers supply tires. In 2026, Bridgestone will supply tires to seven teams, adding two new teams compared to last year.
- In 2025, teams equipped with Bridgestone tires won the series championship for the fifth consecutive year, marking their sixth overall title.
- In 2026, Bridgestone will continue to supply tires with enhanced grip, durability, and improved handling.
Comment from Tire Design Engineer
Developing tires that deliver stable performance under various conditions in endurance races (such as 8-hour and 24-hour events) is no easy task. However, it is thanks to our continued efforts and challenges that we are where we are today. Endurance racing offers a unique appeal compared to sprint races; even if you fall behind due to trouble early on, you can recover later in the race. Tires play a crucial role in this, so I hope you will enjoy the races from this perspective.
Comment from Tire Materials Design Engineer
It has been ten years since we started supplying tires in 2016, and we have now achieved five consecutive championships. Endurance racing requires adaptation to a wide range of environments, from scorching daytime heat to freezing nighttime cold, making it a highly challenging development. This year, we are working towards winning every race and the annual championship.
Comment from Tire Production Engineer
With pride and responsibility in supporting riders and their challenge to the limits, we carefully produce tires while wishing for victory!
Tires: RACING BATTLAX TIRE
2. Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK)
- Bridgestone participates in the Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK) and supplies Bridgestone BATTLAX Racing V03 tires.
3. Monster Energy AMA Supercross, GNCC Racing, WORCS Series, National Hare and Hound
- These four races are major off-road and motocross series held mainly in the United States.
- Bridgestone supports these series with the full lineup of BATTLECROSS tires.
<Sustainable Motorsports, Initiatives to Broaden the Motorsports Fan Base >
1. KYOJO CUP
- BS is the official tire supplier for the female-only racing series "KYOJO CUP," from last year. The company will be providing tire support for both the races and the drivers from the opening round.
- Through the support of female racing, Bridgestone aims to further contribute to the diversity of motorsports culture in Japan.
Comment from Operations Staff
This year as well, we will support the races with stable tire performance and, together with KYOJO, showcase the passionate competition among female drivers!
