INDYCAR (INDIANAPOLIS, IN.) - Cotman named Vice President of Competition

The Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series, has named Tony Cotman Vice President of Competition. The announcement was made by Brian Barnhart, president of the competition and operations division.

Cotman, who started in his new position on Feb. 4, will assist Barnhart in Race Control for all IndyCar Series events and act as the senior race official for all Indy Pro Series events.

“We’re very pleased to have someone of Tony’s caliber join our staff,” Barnhart said. “Tony has earned the respect of everyone in Indy car racing by being hard-working, intelligent and fair. The addition of Tony enhances our competition and race operations efforts and he will be working closely with Les Mactaggart, Kevin Blanch, Jeff Horton and I in all aspects of IndyCar Series competition and with Roger Bailey and Butch Meyer in the Indy Pro Series.”

Cotman, a New Zealand native, has enjoyed a distinguished career in motorsports, including Indianapolis 500 victories with Galles Racing in 1992 and Team Green in 1995. He was promoted to team manager in 1998 and later to vice president, racing operations. Cotman remained with the team as it transformed into Andretti Green Racing through the 2004 season.

>From 2005-07, Cotman served as vice president, operations for the Champ Car World Series, where he oversaw the introduction of a new chassis, wrote and enforced the competition and technical rules, and held the role of race director. He is a member of the FIA’s Circuit Commission that writes recommendations for safety standards at circuits around the world.

“I look forward to contributing within the organization as we strive towards a successful future in open-wheel racing,” Cotman said. “I believe the knowledge I’ve acquired, especially over the past three seasons, can be valuable as we build upon the future.” *** The 2008 IndyCar Series season begins under the lights with the GAINSCO Auto Insurance Indy 300 on March 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 16-race schedule, one of the most diverse in all of motorsports, features races on 11 ovals, three permanent road courses and two temporary street circuits, all broadcast worldwide through a comprehensive, long-term agreement with ABC Sports/ ESPN. All races in 2008 will be telecast in High Definition. The 2008 Indy Pro Series season also begins on March 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 16-race schedule, which features eight ovals and four road/street course doubleheader weekends, will be televised by ESPN2.