Published: February 05, 2010 03:53 pm      

Indy Racing League names new CEO

Randy Bernard, longtime CEO of Professional Bull Riders, Inc., has been named CEO of the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights.

His hiring was announced Feb. 2 by Jeffrey Belskus, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, 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. 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.”

Bernard, 43, produced one of the eight PBR events in its inaugural 1994 season while with the marketing and entertainment department of the California Mid-State Fair and “fell in love with the sport.” He was named CEO in 1995 and worked with the PBR founders in the succeeding years to develop and expand the brand, events across North America, and the popularity of the sport worldwide.

Under Bernard’s leadership, PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series regular-season attendance increased 12 percent in 2009, and ratings with television partner VERSUS increased nearly 30 percent last year. The PBR has been quick out of the chutes in 2010 with attendance up 23 percent in its first five weeks of competition.

The announcement of his new job 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.”

Mari Hulman 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,” she said. “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.”

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,” she said.

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.