Belskus Introduced As IMS Boss, Has No Plans To Replace Chitwood

Belskus Formally Introduced As IMS President & CEO

Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and IMS Corp. yesterday formally introduced JEFF BELSKUS as President & CEO, according to Curt Cavin of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Belskus said the organization is "not planning an active search" to replace outgoing President & COO JOIE CHITWOOD III, who is taking a job with ISC next month. Belskus: "We're trying to leave our options open. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Meanwhile, Chitwood yesterday said that a "sports car race could be in the track's future." He said, "Nothing substantial (being planned), but I've had many people write me letters saying they'd like to see a 24-hour race or a 48-hour race" (INDY STAR, 7/22). Belskus said that the Hulman-George family "remains committed" to IRL following the recent "management shake-up" that included the departure of IRL and IMS CEO TONY GEORGE. Belskus added that "keeping the IRL strong will help buoy the track's top event, the Indianapolis 500." Belskus: "We need the IndyCar series to be strong. Conversely, the IndyCar series needs a strong Indianapolis Motor Speedway. So we're all in this together." He added that auto racing is "under financial pressure and the speedway must compete strongly for ticket dollars" (AP, 7/21).

NEW SET OF WHEELS: In Indianapolis, Bob Kravitz notes Belskus now will "wear a whole lot of hats." In addition to maintaining his previous responsibilities, he will have "George's old job leading the IRL" and "Chitwood's job running the Speedway." Fans "probably won't notice much of a difference in life with George and life with Belskus, at least not for a while." But IMS "needs somebody to step up as the face and the voice of the organization," and "unfortunately, the man best suited to promote and play to the cameras, Chitwood, is walking out the door and moving to a better job in Florida" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/22). SI.com's Tim Tuttle reported Chitwood's departure is "not linked" with that of George. But Chitwood's resignation is a "blow" to IMS, which is "now in a full-fledged transition of leadership" (SI.com, 7/21).