IMS President Joie Chitwood Leaving After Brickyard - aftermarketNews

IMS President Joie Chitwood Leaving After Brickyard

New IMS CEO Jeff Belskus will assume role.

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) President and Chief Operating Officer Joie Chitwood announced July 20 that he will step down from his position after this week’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Chitwood is returning to his home state of Florida to take on the role of VP of business operations for International Speedway Corp. in Daytona Beach. His last day with IMS will be Thursday, Aug. 6.

“This is a disappointment for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said IMS President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Belskus. “Joie provided the leadership you would expect for a facility that hosts the largest sporting events in the world. With his history in the sport combined with his business acumen, Joie was well-suited for the role of president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and we appreciate how he has represented IMS. We wish him all the best.”

Belskus will assume the daily responsibilities of managing the Speedway. It has not been determined if Chitwood will be replaced.

Chitwood joined the IMS staff as senior vice president, business affairs in 2002. In 2004, he was promoted to president and chief operating officer of IMS and oversees daily operations for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the Hall of Fame Museum and Brickyard Crossing Golf Course.

During Chitwood’s tenure as president and COO, IMS has continued to grow in all aspects of its business operations, including the addition of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP event to the annual schedule in 2008.

Chitwood was one of the first staff members of the Indy Racing League, as the liaison to its teams, and in 2002 he had the honor of serving as Pace Car driver for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. His family connection to IMS dates to the late 1930s, when his grandfather began competing in the Indianapolis 500.

“After last fall’s successful Red Bull Indianapolis GP event and the successful launch of the Speedway’s Centennial Era, I began to start thinking about new challenges,” Chitwood said. “Because of my family’s history here at the Speedway, it was very difficult to make this decision to leave. Since my grandfather started bringing me here when I was young and knowing he raced in the ‘500,’ I had a lifetime of memories for this place before joining the company in 1996 as an Indy Racing League employee.”

Before joining the IMS executive staff, Chitwood was vice president and general manager of Raceway Associates LLC, which oversaw construction of the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., from 1999-2002. In 2001, the track began playing host to Indy Racing League- and NASCAR-sanctioned events.

You May Also Like

Take 5 Oil Change Appoints SVP of Field Operations

In her new role, Missy McKinley will drive growth initiatives and enhance customer experiences.

Take 5 Oil Change appoints Missy McKinley as new Senior Vice President of Field Operations

Take 5 Oil Change announces the addition of a new senior vice president of field operations, Missy McKinley. McKinley brings a wealth of experience in retail operations, most recently serving as senior vice president of operations for Scooter’s Coffee, the company said.

McKinley's background includes key leadership positions at Circle K and Dollar Tree Stores.

Hitachi Astemo Partners with Team Penske on 2024 INDYCAR Program

The upcoming 2024 season marks the 13th year of partnership between Hitachi Astemo and Team Penske.

Federated Announces New Affiliate Member
Dayco, Kalitta Motorsports Announce Partnership

Dayco is the newest member of the Kalitta Motorsports family of corporate partners, and Kalitta Motorsports is the newest distributor of Dayco belts.

Dayco, Kalitta Motorsports Announce Partnership
Castrol Becomes Official Motor Oil of Barrett-Jackson

At its first event under this new partnership, Castrol will introduce its new branding to the U.S. market.

Castrol-Barret-Jackson
Firestone Airide Debuts Smartphone-Controlled Air Springs

Firestone’s new Air Command allows users to control air helper springs wirelessly from either a new physical remote or smartphone app.

Firestone-Air-Springs-Smart-phone

Other Posts

Stoneridge Appoints Chief Technology Officer

Most recently, Troy Cooprider was VP of global technology, responsible for leading product innovation, advanced engineering and technology strategy.

Stoneridge Appoints Chief Technology Officer
MBE Group Promotes Gretchen Bennett to Account Manager

Bennett will support strategic initiatives for clients, including media relations, event management, content development and more.

MBE Group Promotes Gretchen Bennett to Account Manager
Advance Auto Parts Appoints Three New Independent Directors

With the appointments, the company’s board will temporarily expand to 12 directors.

Advance Auto Parts
Marelli Names EVP/President of Automotive Lighting & Sensing

Frank Huber assumed this role effective March 1.

Marelli Names EVP/President of Automotive Lighting & Sensing