Team KOOL Green and Firestone announced today they will join forces in the 1997 PPG Indy Car World Series. Team KOOL Green competed on Firestone tires in the 1996 PPG-Firestone Indy Lights Championship. Today’s announcement insures all three Team KOOL Green cars, including the Reynard Ford/Cosworth XD IndyCar and two Lola 97/20 Indy Lights cars, will be on Firestone tires when the 1997 season opens at the Homestead Motor Sports Complex on March 2.

"We developed an excellent working relationship with Firestone last year through our Team KOOL Green Indy Lights program," said team owner Barry Green. "We’ve had a lot of success with Goodyear over the years. They’re a great company. But we’ve been impressed with Firestone’s IndyCar performance during the past two seasons, and we think our decision to go with them next season is the right one for Team KOOL Green."

The announcement brings the number of teams expected to run Firestone tires in the 1997 PPG Indy Car World Series to eight.

"I’m proud to welcome Team KOOL Green as the newest member of Firestone’s IndyCar team," said Al Speyer, motorsports manager at Bridgestone/Firestone. "It’s exciting when we have the opportunity to join forces with such a professional organization. Firestone is proud to have contributed to Target/Ganassi Racing’s PPG Championship-winning season in 1996. Now, we think it’s great that the 1995 PPG Cup-winning team also decided to race on Firestone tires."

With its choices of chassis, engine and tires complete, next on the Team KOOL Green agenda is a decision on its driver line-up for 1997. An announcement regarding drivers for the 1997 PPG Indy Car World Series and the PPG-Firestone Indy Lights Championship will be made in the near future.