Tire Rack
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive retail, Wholesale distribution |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Peter "Pete" Veldman, Mike Joines |
| Headquarters | South Bend , United States |
Area served | United States (nationwide) |
Key people | Scott Clark (CEO), Mike Joines (Executive Chairman) |
| Products | Tires, wheels, automotive accessories |
| Parent | Discount Tire |
Tire Rack is a retailer specializing in automotive tires, wheels, and accessories, as well as a publisher of tire evaluations and a wholesale distributor, with its headquarters located in South Bend, Indiana.
Company History
The concept for Tire Rack originated in 1979 when Peter "Pete" Veldman, an owner of an automotive parts and service business, was inspired by his son-in-law Mike Joines’ difficulty in finding tires for his Opel Manta sports coupe. Mike proposed launching a mail-order tire operation that would carry a limited selection of each tire type. Although Pete persuaded Mike to assist in opening a physical retail store instead, the volume of telephone orders soon led them to close the retail outlet and expand their phone order capacity. Within three years of establishing the store, Tire Rack ventured into mail-order sales and ultimately closed the storefront by 1990.
Tire Rack launched its website in 1995, featuring reviews on the tires it offered. By 1998, the company had begun selling products online.
By 2005, Tire Rack had evolved into a nationwide distributor handling over two million tires annually. The company now stocks 24 tire brands and operates ten warehouses across nine states. Customers who choose to pick up their orders directly from warehouse locations receive discounted pricing. After operating as a family-owned private business for 26 years, Los Angeles-based Leonard Green & Partners acquired a 49% stake in Tire Rack, while the Veldman family retained majority ownership with 51%.
Pete Veldman passed away on March 14, 2014, at age 87. Following his death, Mike Joines took over as president.
On December 4, 2021, Discount Tire completed the acquisition of Tire Rack for an undisclosed sum.
In 2024, Tire Rack was designated as the preferred third-party tire replacement provider by Rivian.
In April 2025, Scott Clark—who brings nearly three decades of experience in the tire industry and formerly served as CEO of Michelin North America overseeing multiple tire divisions—was named Tire Rack’s new CEO. Mike Joines transitioned to executive chairman to concentrate on strategic initiatives aimed at accelerating the company’s growth trajectory.
Motorsports & Marketing
Tire Rack has served as the primary sponsor of the National Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Solo Program since 1995, supporting a community where driving enthusiasts engage in competitive events at the local level.
In the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Tire Rack backs Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden (#2) and Scott McLaughlin (#3). This partnership contributed to Team Penske’s triumphs in the 2023 and 2024 Indianapolis 500, with Newgarden achieving victory on both occasions. These wins represented the team’s 20th overall and marked their second consecutive success in this prestigious race.
Looking ahead to 2025, Tire Rack and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca revealed a multi-year sponsorship deal. This agreement grants naming rights to the raceway’s renowned “Tire Bridge” located between Turns 3 and 4, along with the title sponsorship of the IMSA TireRack.com Monterey Sportscar Championship event scheduled for May 9–11, 2025.