IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard has confirmed today organizational changes in the commercial and operations/competition divisions of the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights effective Jan. 1.
As first reported by SPEED's Robin Miller on Tuesday night, Brian Barnhart and Terry Angstadt have left their positions as race director and president of the commercial divisions, respectively. Barnhart will remain in the position president of operations, overseeing the operational and logistical areas, while Angstadt will be succeeded by Marc Koretzky, who joined IndyCar in May as director of corporate business development. As president of the commercial division, Koretzky will oversee sales, business planning and development, marketing, public relations and organizational operation.
"I'm confident that Brian and Marc will lead our company into a bigger and brighter future in these new roles," Bernard said.
"IndyCar has made tremendous strides under Terry's leadership and its future is indeed bright," said Koretzky, who before joining IndyCar worked in conjunction with the NFL as director of operations for multiple Super Bowl Committees and was an independent lead consultant to the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee for the NCAA Men and Women's Final Four Basketball Championships. "I look forward to working with IndyCar's current commercial partners and helping to develop additional strategic relationships."
"Marc's demonstrated abilities with big events will be a great asset to IndyCar as it continues to grow and prosper," Bernard added. "With the new car and engine manufacturer competition coming for the 2012 season, along with exciting news regarding new commercial partners on the horizon, IndyCar is poised for an exciting future. Marc comes highly regarded and brings a unique perspective with his experience with major sports properties as with the NFL Super bowls and NCAA tournaments."
Angstadt, who joined IndyCar after serving as vp of marketing for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2001, was named commercial division president in 2007. He was instrumental in forging long-term commercial partnerships with series title sponsor IZOD; Apex-Brazil, the official Brazilian trade and investment promotion agency; and secured strategically important events in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Qingdao, China.
"Terry has been an integral member of the IndyCar executive team since 2007, and has been instrumental in orchestrating successful inaugural events in Baltimore and Brazil, managing the demands of promoter relations and serving as a key liaison between our teams, venues and partners while overseeing the business development of our company," Bernard said. "We wish Terry the best of luck as he moves on to the next chapter in his career. He will be missed by the entire IndyCar team."
A president of operations, Barnhart is responsible for officials, technical specifications, safety development and implementation, medical and event logistics. The now separate role of race director is the senior official in Race Control, who oversees all on-track activity. IndyCar is now reviewing candidates to fill the position of race director.
"As our sport continues to grow and we prepare for our first new car in almost a decade, we feel that splitting these roles will help fully service our teams and venues as we prepare for the demands of 2012 season," Barnhart said.
Barnhart remains an IZOD IndyCar Series representative on the board of directors of ACCUS and the U.S. representative to the FIA. An Indianapolis native, Barnhart has been with IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1994, when he joined IMS as track superintendent. He served in various roles for IndyCar teams from 1982-'94.