Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles yesterday announced a new organizational structure at an all-staff meeting. The structure divides the company, which includes the IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, into seven divisions. Miles said he still is searching for a president of Hulman Motorsports, who will oversee the “commercial aspects” of IndyCar and IMS. In an e-mail to staff, Miles added, “I hope to finalize this appointment soon.” Until he names someone to that position, Miles will oversee IMS and IndyCar sales, PR, marketing and business affairs. Under the new structure, former IMS President Jeff Belskus will continue as Hulman & Co. President and add the CFO role to his duties. He will be responsible for HR, IT, finance and the master plan for more than $100M in upgrades to IMS. Longtime IMS communications exec Doug Boles was named IMS President, a job that includes overseeing concessions, guest services, retail and ticketing. Derrick Walker is President of IndyCar Operations & Competition, Robby Greene is President of IMS Productions and General Counsel Gretchen Snelling will oversee the legal division. This comes after Hulman and its racing subsidiaries last restructured high-level exec positions in January (Tripp Mickle, Staff Writer).
UP TO THE CHALLENGE? SPEEDTV.com's Robin Miller reported Boles will be in charge of the Indianapolis 500, NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 and the MotoGP race "in addition to exploring other business opportunities within the IMS boundaries." Boles, one of the founders of Panther Racing in '97, said, "It seems like most of my life has been connected to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway" (SPEEDTV.com, 7/9). In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin notes Boles becomes the track’s "fourth president since 1990, following Tony George, Joie Chitwood and Jeff Belskus" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/10). Also in Indianapolis, Anthony Schoettle noted Boles faces a "number of big challenges, most notably saving the MotoGP race and bolstering the Brickyard 400." The MotoGP Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix and Brickyard 400 have "major attendance issues to overcome." Track officials have "considered discontinuing" the MotoGP if its "attendance cannot be improved" (IBJ.com, 7/9). The INDIANAPOLIS STAR's Cavin notes Tom Garfinkel resigned as Padres President & CEO yesterday, which could be an "interesting turn of events for IndyCar.” Miles has had Garfinkel “on the short list for president of the company’s commercial division." Garfinkel is a former exec for Chip Ganassi Racing (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/10).
TURBO-CHARGED: Meanwhile, the INDIANAPOLIS STAR's Cavin notes DreamWorks’ animated movie "Turbo" premiered last night in N.Y., with IndyCar drivers Tony Kanaan and Ryan Hunter-Reay joining actors Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Pena. An early screening of the film viewed by about 250 IMS employees was "well-received." Miles said, "It puts (IMS) in the most beautiful light." Cavin notes the movie’s "visual detailing is magnificent, particularly as it relates to motor sports." From the BorgWarner Trophy to the track’s "rough surface to the walkway that connects the pagoda and the media center to the Gasoline Alley garages, it’s as if the historic facility has come to life." The victory podium is "perfectly depicted, and the view from the pagoda suites overlooking the front straightaway is spot-on." Boles said, "It's how they captured things. I was mesmerized by that part of the story." Cavin writes, "Unlike many other sports movies, 'Turbo' went to great lengths to portray realistic action." Former Indy 500 winners Mario Andretti and Dario Franchitti assisted on the film. Chevrolet, HP, Sunoco, Firestone, Verizon and AAA are "among the IndyCar sponsors appearing in the movie" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/10).
