Bernard’s hiring was announced recently by Jeffrey Belskus, president and CEO of
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp., the home of the Indianapolis 500
Mile Race and owner of the Indy Racing League. Bernard will begin March
1.
“Randy is the right person at the right time to head the Indy Racing
League,” Belskus said. “He brings a superb sports marketing and
promotion background, proven CEO skills, energy and enthusiasm at a
time when the IZOD IndyCar Series is positioned for growth.”
Bernard said that for the 15 years he has been the CEO of the PBR, he’s
been “blessed to work with such a great sport, and I enjoyed the
success that we all shared together.”
”But I was ready to make a change in my life,” he said. “Josie George
was determined that the change should be with the Indy Racing League,
and after significant research, I was excited about the opportunity. I
truly believe I can make a difference with the Indy Racing League, and
I see tremendous potential. The IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy
Lights have intense action, high-stakes competition, extreme athletes,
a diverse international schedule, great sponsors and a very passionate
fan base.”
The announcement was made at a news conference at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway attended by members of the IMS Board of Directors
including Nancy George, Josie George and Jack Snyder. IMS Chairman Mari
Hulman George, who was traveling, and board member Kathi George
Conforti, who lives in California, were not in attendance.
Bernard thanked the Hulman-George family “for allowing me the
opportunity to be a part of this great tradition. I have had the
opportunity to meet with Ms. George, Josie, Nancy, Kathi, Jack Snyder
and Jeff Belskus several times and really look forward to sharing their
vision.
“I also look forward to working with Terry Angstadt and Brian Barnhart.
They both are highly regarded, and I am confident we will make a great
team.”
Ms. George, who has served as chairman of the family-controlled
corporation since 1990, praised Bernard’s selection. “Our family has
been the steward of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1945 and has
owned and operated the Indy Racing League since its founding in 1994.
This is our family business, and we have a new generation of family
members beginning to be involved. I believe Randy is an excellent
choice to head our growing IZOD IndyCar Series and assure that it will
continue to be a positive asset for racing and for our family business.”
Ms. George also praised Belskus, who heads all businesses owned by IMS.
“Jeff has stepped in during a challenging time in our business, and he
is making the changes necessary to insure a healthy future for the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway that we can hand over to future generations
of our family and the public.”
Belskus noted that Angstadt, president of the commercial division of
the Indy Racing League, and Barnhart, president of competition and
racing operations, are doing excellent jobs. “Never in the history of
the Indy Racing League have we been as strong or as well positioned.
Terry has led a superb sales effort that has brought IZOD, Apex-Brasil
and others to our sport, injecting many millions of new dollars. Brian
has provided racing fans exciting competition with many of the world’s
greatest drivers while leading advances in safety and technology, with
much more to come. Randy’s leadership will add another dimension to our
company, complementing Terry and Brian and allowing them to concentrate
on what they do best.”
Belskus assumed the duties of president and CEO of the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway in June 2009. He subsequently succeeded Tony George as
CEO of the Indy Racing League, which is a subsidiary of the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway.