PARIS — The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is switching tire suppliers — sort of.
The competition — a NASCAR-sanctioned series featuring U.S. sedan-based race cars competing on ovals and road circuits across Europe — will be racing on BFGoodrich-brand race tires this year, vs. the Michelin-branded tires it's used for the past nine seasons.
The 12-race 2018 season starts April 14-15 in Valencia, Spain, and concludes Oct. 21-22 in Zolder, Belgium.
"We are excited to be a part of the NASCAR Whelen series," BFGoodrich Global General Manager Harold Phillips said.
BFG is a Michelin brand.
"As the BFGoodrich brand is anxious to develop high-performance tires that will improve our offer in the performance market for Europe. The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series provides an excellent opportunity to partner with a series that showcases the American heritage of the BFGoodrich brand, and can help us learn and compete in a dynamic European market place."
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series presents a challenge for its tire supplier, restricting competitors to just one set of new tires per racing weekend, which comprises two qualifying sessions and four races.
The partners did not say whether the contract is for just one or multiple seasons.
NWES President and CEO Jerome Galpin called BFG a "great American brand" and said joining BFG and NASCAR a "is a perfect fit.
"We are very proud this lifestyle brand with huge legacy of racing performances decided to support our efforts to develop pure racing in Europe," he said. "We share the common vision to provide the best to everybody looking for fun and authentic experiences."
The season kicks off with 30 competitors registered.
The NASCAR Euro series started life in 2008 as the Racecar Series and gained NASCAR affiliation in 2012, becoming the Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series. It became the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2013.
Chester, Conn.-based Whelen Engineering is the "officially licensed" supplier of warning lights to NASCAR.