Al Speyer, a mechanical engineering graduate from Syracuse University, was the heart and soul of Firestone’s motorsports success for nearly four decades. He passed away recently at age 73, leaving behind a legacy deeply intertwined with Firestone’s resurgence as the top tire supplier in open-wheel racing.
Beginning his career at Firestone in the mid-1970s, Speyer’s dedication came to full fruition when he led Firestone back into American open-wheel racing in the 1990s after a 20-year hiatus. Alongside colleagues like Joe Barbieri, he orchestrated the company’s triumphant return, first supplying tires exclusively to the Indy Lights series, then rapidly expanding to dominate the CART IndyCar series by 1996.
Under Speyer’s leadership, Firestone wrested supremacy away from longtime rival Goodyear, capturing championship titles year after year in the CART series and later in the Indy Racing League. This fierce competition ultimately led Goodyear to withdraw, leaving Firestone—and later Bridgestone—as the sole tire supplier, a position they still hold today.
Speyer’s impact wasn’t limited to open-wheel racing; he managed Firestone’s presence across Formula 1, IMSA, Trans Am, and the SCCA, setting high standards for performance, safety, and innovation in racing tires. His stewardship helped ensure Firestone tires never suffered a catastrophic failure in competition.
Even after retiring in 2012, Speyer’s passion for racing reignited when Don Panoz recruited him in 2013 as COO of the DeltaWing sports car program, cementing his role as a beloved figure in motorsport circles.
Firestone honored Speyer’s enduring contributions, recognizing his vision and tireless commitment that paved the way for Firestone’s legacy and continued presence in premier racing. To many in the racing world, Al Speyer was family, and his dedication will be missed but never forgotten.
He leaves behind his wife Jane, son Erik, and an indelible mark on motorsport history.