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KV Racing Technology GM Mark Johnson Resigns
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Mark Johnson has resigned as general manager of KV Racing Technology after a disappointing season for the IndyCar Series team.
Tony Kanaan's third-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 was one of the few highlights of a season that offered much hope after the preseason signing of former Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello.
Johnson, who was general manager since 2006, led the integration of the KV Racing from the Champ Car series into IndyCar during the unification of the series in 2008.
The team faces an offseason of uncertainty, as only Kanaan is under contract to return. Barrichello is rumored to be considering another team, and E.J. Viso is exploring options that include owning his own team. KV Racing also could go from a three-car team to a one-car team in 2013, or possibly merge with another small organization.
Kanaan, who had three podium finishes this season, said earlier this month the team got "extremely overwhelmed" by the preseason expectations.
Barrichello had a season-best finish of fourth at Sonoma, where he tested this year, and five top-10 finishes in 15 races. But, his 11th-place finish in the Indy 500 was best among race rookies.
Johnson worked with at least nine different drivers at KV, and had the team challenging for poles and podium finishes every season.
Tony Kanaan's third-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 was one of the few highlights of a season that offered much hope after the preseason signing of former Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello.
Johnson, who was general manager since 2006, led the integration of the KV Racing from the Champ Car series into IndyCar during the unification of the series in 2008.
The team faces an offseason of uncertainty, as only Kanaan is under contract to return. Barrichello is rumored to be considering another team, and E.J. Viso is exploring options that include owning his own team. KV Racing also could go from a three-car team to a one-car team in 2013, or possibly merge with another small organization.
Kanaan, who had three podium finishes this season, said earlier this month the team got "extremely overwhelmed" by the preseason expectations.
Barrichello had a season-best finish of fourth at Sonoma, where he tested this year, and five top-10 finishes in 15 races. But, his 11th-place finish in the Indy 500 was best among race rookies.
Johnson worked with at least nine different drivers at KV, and had the team challenging for poles and podium finishes every season.
