For one day, an IndyCar with Firestone livery replaced nine magic reindeer as Santa Claus’ mode of transportation.

The jolly fellow rode down the main thoroughfare in style as Bridgestone Americas partnered with the City of Akron to sponsor the Welcome Santa Parade in Akron, Ohio.

“The Santa float looked amazing,” said Brittany Schmoekel, Community Events Coordinator for the City of Akron. “I had two 5-year-olds ask me if Santa was driving the race car this year to deliver the presents faster and if it could fly like his sleigh. They loved the race car.”

Firestone has been the Official Tire of the IndyCar Series since 2002. All Firehawk tires are manufactured in Akron and then transported to Performance Tire Service Company in Indianapolis for storage. PTSC designed and delivered the car to the Bridgestone Americas Technical Center in Akron, where it was loaded on a float for the parade.

Several children of Bridgestone employees joined in the festivities, boarding the float as Santa’s “pit crew” and handing out candy to the crowd lining the streets.

Team Honda wins class of 25 Hours of Thunderhill

Al Unser, Jr.Team Honda Research West won the E1 Class of the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in Willows, Calif., over the weekend.

The Acura ILX was driven by Lee Niffenegger (Honda Performance Development), Matthew Staal (Honda R&D Americas), Sage Marie (Honda North American Services), Scott Nicol (Honda Canada Manufacturing) and Michael Tsay (Honda R&D Americas).

“It was a great run by the team,” Marie said. “The Acura ILX is a great race car.”

The No. 52 JFC Racing Wolf, which was co-driven by Al Unser Jr., Al Unser III, and Remo Bellarosa), passed the 57-car field to the green flag for the 11th annual race on the 3.58-mile, 17-turn course.

Montoya test to be rescheduled

The scheduled test Dec. 9 at Auto Club Speedway with Juan Pablo Montoya in the No. 2 Team Penske car was called off because of gusty winds. It was rescheduled for Dec. 12.

Montoya is scheduled to get additional track time Dec. 10 in the Chevrolet-powered IndyCar at Phoenix International Raceway. IZOD IndyCar Series championship runner-up Helio Castroneves will shake down the car. Montoya also is scheduled to test Dec. 16 at Sonoma Raceway.

Vote for INDYCAR Ministry

Voting is open through Dec. 15 for the Super Service Challenge, and INDYCAR Ministry is among the organizations entered.

INDYCAR Ministry, in partnership with volunteers from the Pit Crew, Panther Racing and Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing, recently rehabbed a home for veterans in Indianapolis. The winner of the public vote will receive $5,000 for future projects. Cast your vote HERE.

The Super Service Challenge, hosted by the Drew Brees Foundation and Companies with a Mission, also will award $1 million in January 2014 to hundreds of charitable organizations for their projects and bodies of work.