Hoosier Racing Tire began in the early 50’s when Robert “Bob” Newton began a racing career on the small asphalt tracks of Indiana. Bob was not satisfied with driving on street tires with their limited sizing options and uniformly hard tread compounds. It was during these early days of “eating bologna sandwiches and sleeping on a creeper under his racer” that Bob had a vision to produce his own tires specifically designed for racing.

So, in 1957, Bob and wife Joyce decided to begin producing their own race tires by re-treading street tires with softer compounds. They began their business in an old abandoned horse barn in South Bend, Indiana, selling their tires to local racers. The “Hoosier” name was chosen for their company to reflect the origin of Bob’s racing roots on the short tracks of the Midwest. The company color of purple came from Bob’s #4 race car.

At PRI, Faron Lubbers, Product Manager of Hoosier, was displaying their new 10.5” drag slick to compliment their line of DOT Drag radials and slicks. These are the first products since outfitting the plant with new R&D testing equipment.

Hoosier found it necessary to upgrade in order to provide the consistency of radials for Super Stock competition. Hoosier’s versatile drag slick, the C2055, is now available in 34.5/17.0-16 and 36.0/17.0-16 for high powered cars like Pro Mod and Alcohol cars. This new lighter design has an all new tread profile to maximize traction and durability. Hoosier has brought back the 36.0/17.0-16 C2055 with the popular “square shoulder” C2055 (#18900) profile. This change is specifically designed for Pro Modified and Top Alcohol classes. The current “rounded shoulder” (#18905) 36.0/17.0-16 C2055 is still available as well.