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Randy Bernard has been on the job for six months, and as anyone new to a large organization knows, the sheer challenge of simply remembering every one he's met has been a job in itself.

"I've met something like 2,700 people so far," Bernard said last week. "At least that's how many are added in my database."

That may sound trivial, sure. But when you're new to a business where longstanding traditions abound and the movers and shakers behind that business have long been influential, it's smart to know the players -- even just by recognition.

"To make sure when someone walks up you, can say 'Hey, Bill' or 'Hey, Joe', that's a pretty tough art," said Bernard, CEO of the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Bernard, obviously, has been focusing on much more than just face time to appease and serve drivers, team owners and the seemingly infinite number of people necessary to make the IndyCar world keep clicking.

It was just over six months ago that Bernard officially began his duties with IndyCar. From a background as head of the Professional Bull Riders, Inc., Bernard came from outside the racing world, and his hiring took some by surprise.

 

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WEST ALLIS, Wis. -- Tire marks remain unpainted along the white walls of the Milwaukee Mile here, and race logos still emblazon the frontstretch pavement from the last time the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series competed here in 2009.

Even the media center podium features a backdrop celebrating the title sponsors of those defunct races.

But on Father's Day 2011, the IZOD IndyCar Series plans to rejuvenate the one-mile, flat oval. Once again, the open-wheel series will call the 107-year-old Milwaukee Mile home after a year's hiatus from the venerable venue -- just one element of a variety of changes the series officially announced Friday.

 

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INDIANAPOLIS -- In an effort to entice nearly every automotive-related industry in the world, the IZOD IndyCar Series announced a new race car aimed to allow nearly unlimited technical innovation on a base chassis design.

Amid a sparkling lighting display usually reserved for a rock concert Wednesday at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard announced Dallara as the new chassis manufacturer for the open-wheel series along with a "Safety Cell" concept that will allow other manufacturers to provide changeable aero kits.

"This car puts everything all of our stakeholders want on the racetrack: safety, competition on and off the track, diversity, efficiency and more," Bernard said, standing in front of a video representation of the new Dallara. "The new car is also is a cost-effective package that positions the series for tremendous growth and enhances the series' relevancy to future automotive technology."

The new car choice was the brainchild of IndyCar's ICONIC (Innovative, Competitive, Open-Wheel, New, Industry-Relevant, Cost-Effective) Advisory Committee -- an eight-member team led by a retired U.S. Air Force general that included engineers, a track promoter and former Indianapolis 500 champion Gil de Ferran.

 

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Acknowledging that his first few weeks on the job have been like "drinking water from a fire hose," new IZOD IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard, 43, took time out to meet with members of the racing media Saturday trackside at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

The former CEO of the Pro Bullriders Association (PBA), who replaces IndyCar Series founder Tony George at the helm, spoke about his vision to market the series, what he perceives as his immediate challenges and opportunities and his first conversation with the legendary A.J. Foyt.

Topping Bernard's agenda is a plan for a new race car, details he hopes to finalize by the first week of June.

On the advisory committee he formed to make recommendations about a new look race car (Air Force General William Looney III is the chairman of the committee and Friday Luczo Dragon Racing/de Ferran Motorsports co-owner Gil de Ferran was named as the owners representative for the group), here are his initial impressions:

 

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