Sustainable Racing Tires
Firestone will Introduce its ENLITEN™ Technology to Indy Cars
Debra John — February 25, 2026
Firestone will introduce its 'ENLITEN™ Technology' to Indy cars beginning with the 2026 INDYCAR season, incorporating a sustainability-focused suite of advanced materials into Firehawk race tires used in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone. The initiative reflects a broader strategy to improve resource efficiency and material circularity within high-performance motorsports.
The updated Firehawk primary and alternate race tires will integrate renewable soybean oil as a substitute for petroleum-derived oils traditionally used in tire compounds, reducing dependence on fossil-based inputs. In addition, recycled steel will be utilized in the bead wire structure, and recycled carbon black recovered from end-of-life tires will serve as a reinforcing material.
By embedding renewable and recycled components into race tire construction, Firestone aims to lower environmental impact, support circular material flows, and demonstrate the viability of sustainable innovation in technically demanding racing applications.
