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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Barfield Ready To Make Changes
Beaux Barfield watched almost every IndyCar race the past few years and has ideas about blocking, spearing and those imaginary lines on a road course.
INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard, left, introduces the series' new Race Director, Beaux Barfield, right, who will report directly to him. (LAT)
Beaux Barfield watched almost every IndyCar race the past few years and has some definitive ideas about blocking, spearing and those imaginary lines on a road course.
"In the close quarters of street racing, my view is that there will probably be fewer blocking calls and more contact penalties,” said the new director of racing for the IZOD INDYCAR series during a Wednesday press conference.
"I believe in the right to defend your position because that’s always been part of racing as I know it.”
Barfield was asked about the imaginary line that supposedly divided the track and created the massive controversy in 2010 at Edmonton when Helio Castroneves had a victory taken away. The three-time Indy 500 winner was leading on a restart and took his natural line into a right-handed corner but was ruled to have crossed the imaginary line on the straightaway to protect his advantage instead of leaving the inside groove open.
"I’m not a fan of lines drawn in the track,’’ said Barfield, who was a winning driver in USF2000 back in the early ‘90s. ``Drivers will be given a chance to defend but, if it goes on the dangerous side, then we’ll make a call.’’
His immediate task is re-writing a rule book loaded with gray areas.
"I think there will be general changes,’’ said the 40-year-old native of Houston who spent the last four years as race director for the ALMS and served as chief steward for the Formula Atlantic series prior to that job.
"But if you essentially put too many words in any given rule as an official you paint yourself into a box. That’s what you have to be careful of and my job is to articulate the gray areas.’’
Barfield also has a new plan for Race Control and some people in mind to help him, although he didn’t want to go public with either just yet.
"I don’t want to walk in here like I’m wielding a big stick and gun slinging,’’ he continued. ``I think the decisions come down to the Race Director, period, end of story because ultimately I have to sit in the driver’s meeting and explain to them exactly what my expectations are.
"I was a steward in Champ Car and I think stewards are there for a safety net to help and assist when you get a difficult call or situation. But I will absolutely have the final say.’’
Even though he presided over an array of cars and engines in ALMS, Barfield knows IndyCar has a much sharper edge when it comes to competition.
"I understand it’s a thankless job but I’m not here to entertain or make friends. I’ve developed a reputation and officiating philosophy that I think sets me apart enough to have the confidence that I can come in here and make a difference.”
His contract is only for one year but Barfield is happy for the opportunity to show he can do the job.
"When my driving career took a change of course and I found myself officiating, it was still a goal of mine to get to Indy car racing and the Indy 500. In that regard, this represents the pinnacle of my aspirations as a race official.’’
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.
"In the close quarters of street racing, my view is that there will probably be fewer blocking calls and more contact penalties,” said the new director of racing for the IZOD INDYCAR series during a Wednesday press conference.
"I believe in the right to defend your position because that’s always been part of racing as I know it.”
Barfield was asked about the imaginary line that supposedly divided the track and created the massive controversy in 2010 at Edmonton when Helio Castroneves had a victory taken away. The three-time Indy 500 winner was leading on a restart and took his natural line into a right-handed corner but was ruled to have crossed the imaginary line on the straightaway to protect his advantage instead of leaving the inside groove open.
"I’m not a fan of lines drawn in the track,’’ said Barfield, who was a winning driver in USF2000 back in the early ‘90s. ``Drivers will be given a chance to defend but, if it goes on the dangerous side, then we’ll make a call.’’
His immediate task is re-writing a rule book loaded with gray areas.
"I think there will be general changes,’’ said the 40-year-old native of Houston who spent the last four years as race director for the ALMS and served as chief steward for the Formula Atlantic series prior to that job.
"But if you essentially put too many words in any given rule as an official you paint yourself into a box. That’s what you have to be careful of and my job is to articulate the gray areas.’’
Barfield also has a new plan for Race Control and some people in mind to help him, although he didn’t want to go public with either just yet.
"I don’t want to walk in here like I’m wielding a big stick and gun slinging,’’ he continued. ``I think the decisions come down to the Race Director, period, end of story because ultimately I have to sit in the driver’s meeting and explain to them exactly what my expectations are.
"I was a steward in Champ Car and I think stewards are there for a safety net to help and assist when you get a difficult call or situation. But I will absolutely have the final say.’’
Even though he presided over an array of cars and engines in ALMS, Barfield knows IndyCar has a much sharper edge when it comes to competition.
"I understand it’s a thankless job but I’m not here to entertain or make friends. I’ve developed a reputation and officiating philosophy that I think sets me apart enough to have the confidence that I can come in here and make a difference.”
His contract is only for one year but Barfield is happy for the opportunity to show he can do the job.
"When my driving career took a change of course and I found myself officiating, it was still a goal of mine to get to Indy car racing and the Indy 500. In that regard, this represents the pinnacle of my aspirations as a race official.’’
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.
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