Brian Barnhart Named President At Harding Racing

Image
INDYCAR has announced that longtime Vice President of Competition/Race Director Brian Barnhart is leaving his position to join the Harding Racing team as president as it works to become a full-time series entrant in 2018.

Barnhart has previously worked as a crew member on Galles Racing Team Penske and Patrick Racing from 1982-94 as a mechanic and tire changer on Al Unser Jr.’s two Indianapolis 500 victories in 1992 (with Galles) and 1994 (with Penske).

“I’ve been with INDYCAR for 23-plus years, obviously a huge part of my life, and makes the decision extremely difficult to make because of the opportunities that have been afforded to me by the Hulman-George family, INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They’re an incredibly loyal and supportive group of people in the family and I feel like a part of the family,” Barnhart said.

After a three-year stint as Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s track superintendent from 1994-97, he’s had various operations positions at INDYCAR. He was the race director for 14 years (1997-2011), a race steward in 2012 and ’13 and served as the company’s president of operations and strategy. He has been the vice president of competition since May 2013 and re-assumed the race director position in 2015 to oversee on-track operations on a race weekend.

Harding Racing enjoyed promising results last season with the 24-year-old Chaves, who finished ninth in the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, fifth in the Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway and 15th in ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway.

Stay Connected

Sign Up For The PRI eNewsletter to get the latest in racing industry news, special events, new product information and more directly to your inbox.

Stay Connected

Sign Up For The PRI eNewsletter to get the latest in racing industry news, special events, new product information and more directly to your inbox.