Finding someone to be CEO of the IZOD Indycar Series is a little like finding someone to be President, there aren’t very many people capable of doing the job, and number of those capable don’t want the job. Who ever is going to lead Indycar next needs to realize that they’re fighting a two headed monster, the owners, whose teams are what people pay to see, and the series ownership who pays the bills. There aren’t many people who are qualified to do such a thing and there are even less people willing.
Apr 1, 2012; Birmingham, AL, USA; Indy Car Series drivers Helio Castroneves (3) and James Hinchcliffe (27) during the Honda Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park. As one of the most successful stops on the Indycar Tour, perhaps promoter Gene Hallman should be considered for the top job at Indycar. Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE
The ideal candidate would have racing experience, a wealth of ideas, and a lot of contacts. Top choice of most people would be ALMS CEO Scott Atherton, problem is Atherton has taken himself out of the running publicly and definitively. So who else is left? I have no idea. Obviously they’re not going to pick off NASCAR CEO Brian France, and they’re unlikely to get anyone from Formula One. After Atherton there is no obvious choice so I might as well throw some names out there.
Robert Clarke: One time President of Honda Performance Development Robert Clarke has been a big supporter of the Indycar series and was briefly CEO of Gil de Ferran’s ALMS program. Honda is one of Indycar’s most critical supporters. He worked for years to bring Champ Car and Indycar together. Clarke had a radical plan to change the series, and in my opinion the sport needs a visionary. He knows the players, knows the landscape and is probably my number one choice if I had a vote.
Gene Hallman: Would be an out of the box choice but Hallman is the CEO of Bruno Event Team which is the promoter of the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama, several PGA Events, the Davis and Fed Cup and the SEC Basketball Tournament. Like Randy he’s not really a racing guy, but he has a solid sports background. They built the Alabama Grand Prix from scratch, it was a risk that has turned into one of the sport’s more successful events.
Tim Cendric: He’s been CEO of Penske Racing since 2006, and that would give him credibility with team owners that no one else would have. Cendric would bring an insiders perspective that Randy, and Tony George, both lacked. I don’t think he’d want the job, but if he did he could be the steady, trusted hand the sport needs. Of course I really doubt he wants the job, he’s the heir apparent at Penske Racing afterall.
Martin Whitaker: I think the series would want an American, but if you’re going to cast a wide net the former V8 Supercars CEO is a good candidate. He’s been the CEO of the Bahrain International Circuit, Director of Ford’s European motorsport program, worked for the FIA. He’s got the credentials to do the job, he’s currently still working for V8SA International Director. He’s one of the few candidates out there that has been the CEO of an international racing series.
I know there is some pressure to make an internal hire and there are fears among fans that former race director Brian Barnhart might be promoted. When he was IndyCar chief steward and operations manager his racing calls were constantly suspect, and there was a perception that the top teams were less likely to get penalized because of their status. He was the guy who made the call to restart the 2011 race at Loudon, in the rain. Yep, the guy decided to restart a race on an oval in the rain. There is a fairly short list of people I would hate to see lead Indycar hire and he’s at the top.