Chicagoland: Firestone race report

Race Temperatures: Ranged from 92-102o. F (33-39o.C) track and from 72-73o.F (22-23o.C) ambient.

Firestone Tire Performance Recap: Firestone engineers brought their updated 1.5-mile oval spec that was developed this season based on testing here in June. The tires were extremely durable, only half-worn after a long green flag stint.

From Helio Castroneves, #3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "We tried everything we could. I have to thank Team Penske and my guys, they did an awesome job, and my teammate Ryan [Briscoe] was helping me out all day. We didn't change tires on our last pit stop, and the Firestone Firehawks held up really well - so I rode those 'Magic Ring' tires as hard as I could, and they took me to victory today!"

From IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, #9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "The Firestone Firehawk tires have been fantastic all season. We've definitely won a lot of races on them! Compared to last year, I think the consistency of the tires has been even better this season - we've had great durability and wear. As I've said before, they've been the least of our problems this year."

From Al Speyer, Executive Director, Firestone Racing: "That was one of the most incredible races I've seen. With a full field of 28 cars running two and three wide, slicing and dicing all day long, it was thrilling from start to finish. And I can't think of a better compliment for Firestone Racing than to have all of the top contenders elect not to change tires on their final pit stops of the race and of the season - especially with a championship on the line."

Firestone "Tire-ific" Move of the Race: This $10,000 prize is awarded after each IndyCar Series race to the driver who best utilizes his or her Firestone tires to make a bold, dramatic move during the event. This week's nominees are: Helio Castroneves for going from last to first; Dan Wheldon for leaning on his Firestone tires to run three wide for three consecutive laps; and Mario Moraes moving from 27th to run as high as 6th. Fans can vote through Wednesday at www.indycar.com to determine the recipient. Prior to today's race, Justin Wilson was named winner of the "Tire-ific" award from last week's race at Detroit, for his first IndyCar Series victory.

-credit: firestone