Al Speyer, who helped lead Firestone’s triumphant return to open-wheel racing in the mid-1990s and became an influential motorsports executive during a pivotal period in INDYCAR history, died Oct. 27 in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 75.
Speyer’s nearly 39-year career with Bridgestone Americas featured not only Firestone’s return to INDYCAR but the assurance it remained there as the exclusive tire supplier.
When Speyer joined Firestone in May 1974, the brand that won the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 was nearing an exit from the sport. A decade later, Speyer was part of the launch of the Firehawk Racing program in 1984 and the introduction of Firestone Indy Lights (now INDY NXT by Firestone) in 1990.
These initiatives marked pivotal steps toward Firestone’s re-entry into full-time INDYCAR SERIES competition in 1995 and the brand’s celebrated return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 1996, Buddy Lazier gave Firestone its first “500” victory in 25 years.
Firestone became the exclusive tire supplier of the INDYCAR SERIES in 2000 with Speyer taking the role of executive director of Firestone Racing in 2001. He helped broker an extension of the deal with INDYCAR through 2018, confirming Firestone’s participation in the historic 100th Running of the “500” in 2016.
When the soft-spoken and well-respected Long Islander (photo, above) retired in 2013, he told INDYCAR.com that returning Firestone to IMS was the most gratifying accomplishment of his tenure because it rejuvenated the Firestone brand and sparked consumers.
“When I talk about the return being successful in the ‘90s, not only we were successful on the racetrack, but we doubled Firestone’s business consumer market from 1994 to 1999,” he said. “We were growing Firestone brand sales in North American about 20 percent a year, and that’s a lot when you pick up 1 or 2 percentage points a year.
“The INDYCAR program was the spark that lit the fire. I look at those days from a motorsports position and what I was overseeing as nirvana as far as what we were doing on the racetrack and what we were doing for the brand.”
Speyer, who graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in mechanical engineering, held several technical and management positions in his Bridgestone Americas career. He worked in a variety of motorsport disciplines, including stock cars, sports cars, drag racing, Formula One, SCCA, Trans Am, IMSA and the Firehawk Endurance Series. But it was his dedication to INDYCAR that became his indelible highlight.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Al Speyer, a beloved member of the Bridgestone and Firestone family for nearly four decades,” Bridgestone Americas said in a statement. “Al guided Firestone Racing with passion, leadership and played a key role in paving the way for Firestone’s return to INDYCAR and the Indianapolis 500 in 1995. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Jane, his son, Erik, and all who knew him. Al’s impact and dedication will forever be part of the Firestone Racing legacy.”
The family will share information about a Celebration of Life gathering at a later date.
