IndyCar president Jay Frye has left the organisation, with Indianapolis Motor Speedway head Doug Boles taking over the role amid a large personnel shake-up ahead of the 2025 season.
It means Boles is now effectively the person in charge of both the IndyCar series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where previously those roles have been split.
Frye headed up Red Bull’s NASCAR team in 2008-2012 before roles at Hendrick Motorsports and IMS. He was named IndyCar president of competition and operations in 2015, then promoted to just IndyCar president - his role widening to include marketing and communications - in 2018.
It is not yet clear if he has secured a new role elsewhere already.
“It has been an absolute honour and privilege to be the president of IndyCar and work alongside the dedicated and talented men and women at IndyCar and in the IndyCar paddock,” said Frye.
“The growth and success the series has had over the last 10 years would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration of the owners, drivers and teams.”
There's no doubt Frye is a respected and experienced member of the IndyCar fraternity - and he leaves having overseen changes like the introductions of the aeroscreen and hybrid device.
You'd have to go a long way to find someone as popular as Boles as a replacement, and with IndyCar's switch to Fox underpinning a massive effort to increase the popularity of the series, these host of changes appear to be coming at the perfect time.
Boles (commonly referred to as J. Doug Boles) has been the president of IMS since 2013 after joining the venue's staff in 2010. He was previously a founding partner and co-owner of the Panther Racing team, being part of a squad that won two championships and 15 races.
He is a passionate Indiana native, and has gone on to oversee more than $150 million of investments in IMS during his tenure as its president. He will report to Penske Entertainment President & CEO Mark Miles, as Frye did before.
“Racing is in my DNA, and no form of racing resonates more personally and strongly with me than the NTT IndyCar Series,” said Boles.
“I’m honored to lead the amazing team at IndyCar, and I truly believe the future is bigger and brighter than ever for our sport and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“I’m extremely grateful to Mark Miles for this opportunity, and fans can rest assured the hard work is already underway and 2025 will be a fantastic season.”
Miles added: “Doug is the ideal choice to lead both IndyCar and IMS as we enter a new era of opportunity and visibility.
“He’s an exceptional leader and motivator who is appreciated by our fans and respected by our owners, drivers, partners and additional key stakeholders.”
IndyCar’s announcement today acknowledged that “several additional staffing updates will help oversee day-to-day operations within each organization” given the amount of things Boles is now responsible for, combining the IndyCar Series with the world's highest attendance single-day sporting event in the Indy 500.
Mark Sibla has stepped up from chief of staff at the series to senior vice president of IndyCar competition and operations, where he will “lead workstreams focused on general operations and special initiatives such as development of the new car”.
Kyle Novak, IndyCar race director since 2018, is taking on an “enhanced” role as vice president of officiating and race control - while retaining his race director duties. He will be “responsible for ensuring rigorous and equitable enforcement of NTT IndyCar Series and Indy NXT presented by Firestone competition regulations”.
The series also has a new chief marketing officer, with Alex Damron promoted from vice president of corporate communications. Damron has been praised for his work helping the series’ transition to new TV partner Fox.
Finally, Louis Kissinger will be promoted to general manager of Indianapolis Motor Speedway operations, leading the teams responsible for suite/hospitality sales, track operations and event operations.
