-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Latest Headlines: NASCAR
-
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
IndyCar
INDYCAR: Angstadt, Lopes Refute IndyCar Management Opportunities
The word on the street is that Terry Angstadt has been offered the job of IndyCar CEO and John Lopes is moving into the CFO role to replace Richard McComb.
Could IndyCar take a page from its past for its new CEO? (Photo: IMS Photo)
The word on the street is that Terry Angstadt has been offered the job of IndyCar CEO and John Lopes is moving into the Chief Financial Officer role at IndyCar to replace Richard McComb.
But, according to both parties, the word is untrue.
“It’s certainly something that’s crossed my mind but I have not had one communicative about it,” said Angstadt, the former commercial division president of the Indy Racing League who landed IZOD in as series sponsor four years ago.
“We raised a whole lot of revenue when we were there and, obviously, I’m familiar with the territory and the players. But I have not had that conversation.”
Angstatd was recently named president of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which operates the IndyCar races at St. Pete, Toronto and Mid-Ohio.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Jeff Belskus is the acting CEO of IndyCar and has said on a couple occasions he would be comfortable in that role while Mark Miles, the new CEO of Hulman & Company, said he was searching for a permanent leader of the IZOD IndyCar series.
Belskus and Lopes have been seen having dinner a few times in Indianapolis and the speculation was that a deal was being made to bring Lopes to IndyCar.
It ramped up last week when SPEED learned that McComb, a 16-year employee of IMS and IndyCar, had been let go.
“Yeah, I keep getting phone calls from people about it but I have to tell you I don’t think there’s anything to it,” said Lopes, who is the senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Andretti Autosport.
“It’s true I have spent a lot of time with Jeff lately but I wouldn’t read anything into it. I’m happy where I’m at.”
Coming off the championship with Ryan Hunter-Reay, still trying to field a fourth car for 2013 and promoting races at Milwaukee and Baltimore, Lopes likes where Michael Andretti’s group is going.
“Ten years ago I would have aspired to have that job (COO of IndyCar) but I’m at a good place with Andretti and we’ve got a lot of good things working,” continued Lopes.
“Right now I’m happy where I’m at and don’t for see anything changing.”
McComb had been IMS finance director before moving to COO of IndyCar and it’s possible Belskus could assume the COO job if he’s replaced as interim CEO of IndyCar.
MENARD NOT RETURNING
The other hot rumor was that John Menard would be returning to IndyCar as a full-time competitor, or at least competing in the Indianapolis 500.
“I looked at it and thought about it but decided the timing wasn’t right,” said Menard, the self-made Wisconsin billionaire who began fielding cars at the Indianapolis 500 in 1979 and captured the 1997 IRL title with Tony Stewart.
“I’ve still got a shop in Indianapolis and I still love the Indy 500 but I’m not wild about spec cars and engines. Someday, if the rules change and they go back to letting teams do something different, then maybe I’ll be interested.”
Menard championed the stock block engines in the ‘80s and ‘90s and sat on the pole position at Indianapolis twice in the mid-90s with the late Scott Brayton and also had quick time with Gary Bettenhausen in 1991.
The Menard’s Special driven by Robby Gordon led late in 1999 before a fuel stop and Al Unser gave him his best-ever finish of third in 1992.
Robin Miller brings 40+ years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
But, according to both parties, the word is untrue.
“It’s certainly something that’s crossed my mind but I have not had one communicative about it,” said Angstadt, the former commercial division president of the Indy Racing League who landed IZOD in as series sponsor four years ago.
“We raised a whole lot of revenue when we were there and, obviously, I’m familiar with the territory and the players. But I have not had that conversation.”
Angstatd was recently named president of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which operates the IndyCar races at St. Pete, Toronto and Mid-Ohio.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Jeff Belskus is the acting CEO of IndyCar and has said on a couple occasions he would be comfortable in that role while Mark Miles, the new CEO of Hulman & Company, said he was searching for a permanent leader of the IZOD IndyCar series.
Belskus and Lopes have been seen having dinner a few times in Indianapolis and the speculation was that a deal was being made to bring Lopes to IndyCar.
It ramped up last week when SPEED learned that McComb, a 16-year employee of IMS and IndyCar, had been let go.
“Yeah, I keep getting phone calls from people about it but I have to tell you I don’t think there’s anything to it,” said Lopes, who is the senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Andretti Autosport.
“It’s true I have spent a lot of time with Jeff lately but I wouldn’t read anything into it. I’m happy where I’m at.”
Coming off the championship with Ryan Hunter-Reay, still trying to field a fourth car for 2013 and promoting races at Milwaukee and Baltimore, Lopes likes where Michael Andretti’s group is going.
“Ten years ago I would have aspired to have that job (COO of IndyCar) but I’m at a good place with Andretti and we’ve got a lot of good things working,” continued Lopes.
“Right now I’m happy where I’m at and don’t for see anything changing.”
McComb had been IMS finance director before moving to COO of IndyCar and it’s possible Belskus could assume the COO job if he’s replaced as interim CEO of IndyCar.
MENARD NOT RETURNING
The other hot rumor was that John Menard would be returning to IndyCar as a full-time competitor, or at least competing in the Indianapolis 500.
“I looked at it and thought about it but decided the timing wasn’t right,” said Menard, the self-made Wisconsin billionaire who began fielding cars at the Indianapolis 500 in 1979 and captured the 1997 IRL title with Tony Stewart.
“I’ve still got a shop in Indianapolis and I still love the Indy 500 but I’m not wild about spec cars and engines. Someday, if the rules change and they go back to letting teams do something different, then maybe I’ll be interested.”
Menard championed the stock block engines in the ‘80s and ‘90s and sat on the pole position at Indianapolis twice in the mid-90s with the late Scott Brayton and also had quick time with Gary Bettenhausen in 1991.
The Menard’s Special driven by Robby Gordon led late in 1999 before a fuel stop and Al Unser gave him his best-ever finish of third in 1992.
Robin Miller brings 40+ years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
2013 INDY 500 Practice
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
INDYCAR: Driver-By-Driver Indy 500 Preview
Marshall Pruett takes a look through the field of 33 for Sunday's… -
INDYCAR: Boston Marathon Runners To Finish Race At Indy 500
35 runners from the 2013 Boston Marathon unable to finish the race… -
INDYCAR: Helping Our Heroes
Inside Panther Racing's "Operation: Hire our Guard" program, which… -
INDYCAR: Inside IndyCar's New Speed, Safety And Technology Initiative…
INDYCAR's Derrick Walker takes Marshall Pruett through where the… -
PHOTOS: Indy 500 Carb Day 2013
Enjoy a selection of photos from Indy 500 Carb Day, including the… -
VIDEO: Amazing 4-Wide Finish To Indy Lights Freedom 100
Ireland's Peter Dempsey came from fourth at Turn 3 on the last lap… -
INDYCAR: Pagenaud Leads Indy 500 Carb Day Practice
After getting whooped in qualifying, Honda turns up the wick for… - More News
