Pre-Race Notes: OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland
Portland, Oregon | August 7-9, 2026
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES enters its decisive final stretch this weekend at the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland, the first of six race events over the season’s final five weeks. The run to crown a 2026 champion will continue with street races in Markham, Ontario, Canada, and Washington, D.C., an oval doubleheader in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before concluding on the road course at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.
The INDY NXT by Firestone driver development series also begins its championship run in Portland. With four races remaining, the title contenders will battle at Portland International Raceway, before a stop at the Milwaukee Mile and season-ending doubleheader at Laguna Seca.
Both series will compete on the 1.964-mile, 12-turn (eight right- and four left-hand) Portland International Raceway, a natural road course located near the Columbia River. The circuit features a long front straight into the heavy-braking Festival Chicane (Turn 1-2), multiple passing zones, a flat layout with no elevation change, and a fast and sweeping backstretch that flows into a technical three-turn sector that rewards precision and tire management.
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
- Firestone will provide approximately 1400 race tires to 25 NTT INDYCAR SERIES entries for practices and qualifying, including the Firestone Fast Six, and Sunday’s 110-lap (216.04-mile) race.
- Firestone will supply Firehawk race tires for use at Portland International Raceway that integrate Bridgestone global ENLITEN™ Technology components[1], including the following materials[2]:
- Renewable soybean oil: Replaces petroleum-based oils traditionally used in tire compounds
- Recycled carbon black: Reinforcement material recovered from end-of-life tires
- Recycled steel: Used for the bead wire that anchors a race tire to a wheel
- As per INDYCAR Rule 15.3.3.2.1. for road course events, each entry must use one (1) set of primary tires and one (1) set of new (sticker) alternate tires. Each set must complete at least two laps in the race.
Each NTT INDYCAR SERIES entry will receive the following allocation of Firestone Firehawk race tires:
- Primary (black sidewall): 5 sets per entry (Rookies receive an extra set for Practice 1)
- Alternate (red sidewall): 5 sets per entry
- Rain (graysidewall): 5 sets per entry
Notes from Cara Krstolic, Chief Engineer and Director of Race Tire Engineering and Production:
Firestone Firehawk primary and alternate tires for the Grand Prix of Portland will have the same construction and compounds that were provided for the 2026 Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park.
Both tires feature the same construction we had here in 2025, paired with a new compound designed to deliver a bit more grip compared to what we saw in last year’s race.
INDY NXT by Firestone
- Firestone will supply more than 450 Firehawk race tires to 24 entries for the INDY NXT by Firestone race at Portland International Raceway.
- INDY NXT by Firestone Firehawk race tires for use at Portland International Raceway have Bridgestone global ENLITEN™ Technology components[1], including the following materials[2]:
- Renewable soybean oil: Replaces petroleum-based oils traditionally used in tire compounds
- Recycled carbon black: Reinforcement material recovered from end-of-life tires
- These race tires are provided for practice, qualifying, and Sunday’s 35-lap race (68.74 miles or 55 minutes).
Each INDY NXT by Firestone entry is provided with the following allocation of race tires:
- Primary: 3 sets per entry, plus 2 carryover sets from the Detroit Grand Prix and Mid-Ohio
- Rain: 2 sets per entry
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Learn more about Firestone at www.firestonetire.com/firestone-racing.
Throughout the 2026 racing season, Firestone Racing continues to celebrate the brand’s 125-year legacy, which began with the founding of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, on August 3, 1900.
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