General Tire secures NASCAR second-tier series tire supply contracts

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Continental Tire the Americas' General Tire brand has secured exclusive tire supplier and official racing tire status with NASCAR's K&N Pro Series, Pinty's Series and PEAK Mexico Series for the next few years.

These deals are in addition to General's status as race tire supplier for the ARCA Series and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and ties in with NASCAR's plan to merge the ARCA and K&N Pro Series in 2020.

Financial terms were not disclosed. General replaces Goodyear as tire supplier for the various second-tier NASCAR series. Goodyear continues as the supplier to NASCAR's premier series — Monster Energy Cup Series; XFINITY Series; and Camping World Truck Series.

The new contracts also serve as replacements of sorts for the IMSA road-racing series contracts that Michelin Motorsport took over this year.

"General Tire is committed to promoting the NASCAR regional and international series across two continents and more than 11 countries with substantial investments across the NASCAR industry," Travis Roffler, director of marketing for General Tire, said.

"Our team works hard to provide competitive, action-packed racing each week for the fans, and we're thrilled to be expanding that across several more series. We look forward to working with the NASCAR industry to grow not only recognition of the General Tire name, but the various series as well."

The tires will be manufactured at Hoosier Racing Tire's Lakeville, Ind., where Hoosier has been building stock car tires for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards since 1995.

"The demand for NASCAR racing globally has never been stronger," said Brandon Thompson, managing director of NASCAR touring series. "General Tire's investment across the NASCAR regional and international series will authentically drive brand awareness of not only the respective series but that of the drivers, teams and tracks. Our unique racing style will be highlighted and that's exciting."

The K&N Pro Series East kicks off the season for the NASCAR regional and international series on Feb. 10 at Florida's New Smyrna Speedway; the K&N Pro Series West kicks off Feb. 28 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR plans to integrate the K&N Pro Series and ARCA Racing Series it purchased in 2018 — starting in 2020, a move that will give drivers the opportunity to compete for four championships.

While the two series for late-model stock cars will continue to operate as separate entities for the 2019 season, they will operate under a new competition framework in 2020 with a model designed to preserve both series' historic short-track lineage, NASCAR said.

The new format will give drivers the opportunity to compete for four championships — NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, ARCA Racing Elite Series presented by Menards and a new series NASCAR is calling "Stock Car Invitational."