IndyCar is parting ways with chief executive Randy Bernard, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation announced Sunday after a special board meeting on his status.
Speedway Corporation president Jeff Belskus has been appointed interim chief executive of the US open-wheel racing series after officials announced that Bernard was “stepping down”.
“As both Randy and our organization have reflected on the past season and as we look toward the opportunities ahead and how to best take advantage of them, we agreed that the timing was right to pursue separate paths,” Belskus said.
Although the parting was said to be mutual, team owners were unhappy with Bernard after income this year was less than expected, in part because a planned race in China fell through.
Television ratings also reached a record low this season.
With the special board meeting looming, IndyCar driver Graham Rahal had tweeted on Friday that arranging a departure deal made the sport look “foolish”.
“Come on people either keep Randy or fire him but this is foolish and embarrassing for this sport,” Rahal said on the social networking site.
Bernard, who joined IndyCar in March 2010, said he believed he was leaving the series in a better position.
“I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with the entire IndyCar community, its teams, drivers, loyal partners and fans,” Bernard said. “The last three years have produced some exciting, and some difficult, times … I am proud of what everyone at IndyCar has been able to accomplish since I came on board.”
Belskus credited Bernard with shepherding IndyCar through the development and deployment of the first new chassis rules in nine years and the introduction of a new engine platform and multiple engine manufactures after six years of a single-supplier format.
Belskus said Bernard would maintain an advisory role for the series.
Bernard's tenure as IndyCar boss ends
